Following up on the “Creators not Consultants” tweet. It is so important for ORGs and allies to encourage the hiring/making of trans writers vs. trans consultants.

This means ending the practice of sensitivity reads and cultural consultants to hire union covered writers instead.

People who disagree with this right away might greatly undervalue trans stories and characters. They may overvalue the role of a writer.

If you are a person who is crossing their fingers at better trans rep vs seeing trans rep as a valuable culture others profit from— move along

TV writing is a hierarchical Union position. You can jump the line and marginalized people get held back but there are eight steps:

Low to High:
Staff Writer
Story Editor
Executive Story Editor
Co-Producer
Producer
Supervising Producer
Co-Executive Producer
Executive Producer

To adapt books, plays, revamp or take-over shows Networks ask for an “upper level writer” so like a Supervising Producer level.

This means a trans writer would have had to start on the writing path in 2014ish. When no one was really putting trans folks on the writing path.

Some folks skipped this steps because of high level work in other fields / or they created a show — Janet Mock, Wachowski’s, Me. Most of the wave of current trans writers got onto shows this year. Meaning they won’t be asked to be in charge of shows until 2024ish.

If each pre-2014 show with trans characters like Hit & Miss, Transparent, Glee, Always Sunny had trans writers. There would be a slate of upper level trans writers NOW.

Writers making great money, funding shorts, hiring lower level writers, WGA/PGA access etc. etc.

Where trans consultants might get a couple thousand dollars per script, lower level trans writers get $4500 A WEEK plus other fees. Upper level writers make much more. All covered by the union with trans inclusive health care and pension.

I think that Out Lady J is the only openly trans person to get staffed and advance to an Upper Level WGA position. Which is amazing! — but bananas in a historical context that she would be the only hire.

That history can’t be our future and while there ARE trans folks being hired on shows, two on shows without trans themes, I also know that folks are doing sensitivity reads and being hired as consultants and need to push back.

Do the consulting job, but as a WGA writing pass.

A minimum of weeks as an entry level trans writer is over 20k, gets you into the WGA, and puts you on that Class of 2024 path.

ORGs and individuals need to tell networks and producers that the only stamp of approval on LGBTQ content can come with a WGA writer’s pass.

You can tell networks and producer that historically the consultant has been seen as “an underpaid apologist.” That there is backlash. I have been in meeting where cis people have brought this up first — so the idea is out there.

The key is that we need trans folks ON the path, working within and advancing according to Union structure.

Sometimes folks can be doubtful or resentful if you skipped steps.

More people on the path, less consultants smiling with stars, getting non-tranferrable credits.

Trans writers make their mark and can build on experience, learn craft, laterally move to other areas of the industry, and gain financial stability.

But stroll down Hollywood Boulevard and you’ll find the legacy of the trans cultural consultant: