“I Just Don’t Want To Do It”: Hunter Schafer Explains Why She Rejects Transgender Roles
Hunter Schafer doesn’t want people commenting on her gender identity anymore. What’s more, the “Euphoria” actress said she has turned down many transgender roles so she could build a career where her gender identity isn’t a subject of discussion.
In her new GQ cover story, the star stressed that she tries to avoid saying the word “trans” in interviews so people can focus solely on her work.
- Hunter Schafer said she has declined many trans roles to not be defined by her gender identity.
- Despite rejecting trans roles, Hunter feels a sense of responsibility towards the trans community.
- She also expressed that she has lost interest in defending herself from transphobic comments.
“As soon as I say it, it gets blastoff,” the 25-year-old actress and model said. “It took a while to learn that, and it also took a while to learn that I don’t want to be [reduced to] that, and I find it ultimately demeaning to me and what I want to do.”
Hunter Schafer has opened up about wanting to build a career beyond her gender identity
Image credits: Steve Granitz/Getty images
“Especially after high school, I was sick of talking about it. I worked so hard to get to where I am, past these really hard points in my transition, and now I just want to be a girl and finally move on.”
Additionally, Hunter explained why, unlike in her teenage years, she’s not interested in becoming an active spokesperson for the trans community anymore.
“I know for a fact that I’m one of the most famous trans people in the media right now, and I do feel a sense of responsibility, and maybe a little bit of guilt, for not being more of a spokesperson.
“But ultimately, I really do believe that not making it the centerpiece [of] what I’m doing will allow me to get further.
“And I think getting further and doing awesome sh*t in the interest of ‘the movement’ will be way more helpful than talking about it all the time.”
The “Euphoria” actress revealed that she has rejected numerous transgender roles
Image credits: HBO
Because of this, the New Jersey native decided to reject numerous roles that she believes are intertwined with her personal life, something that she defines as a “privilege.”
“I’ve gotten offered tons of trans roles, and I just don’t want to do it. I don’t want to talk about it,” she explained.
Hunter also spoke out about the transphobic comments she receives and how she doesn’t expect that reality to change anytime soon.
“I’ve kind of lost interest in achieving some sort of utopia,” she said. “I am totally cool with people hating me for being trans or calling me a man. I am not interested in trying to convince them anymore.”
“I really do believe that not making it the centerpiece [of] what I’m doing will allow me to get further,” Hunter said
Image credits: Hunter
Hunter rose to fame when she was cast as transfer student Jules Vaughn in the Emmy-winning HBO show “Euphoria” at age 19. Furthermore, she starred in and co-wrote the special episode “F*ck Anyone Who’s Not a Sea Blob” with series creator Sam Levinson.
Last year, the actress made her big screen debut in the Hunger Games prequel film, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” She’s now about to have her first lead role in a future film in the psychological thriller “Cuckoo,” where she filmed her first action scenes and learned American Sign Language.
Her future projects? A small part in a Yorgos Lanthimos film and a role alongside Michaela Coel and Anne Hathaway in David Lowery’s “Mother Mary.”
Bored Panda has contacted Hunter’s representatives for comment.
People thought Hunter’s interview was very “candid and courageous”
I do wish she didn't feel guilty for wanting to concentrate on her career. She's under no obligation to be a spokesperson/activist/whatever for trans people. If anything, doing what she's doing is the best thing she can do to be a role model for young trans people - Being true to herself, working hard and ignoring the haters.
Agreed. I'm transgender and feel this should be the end game - to live however we want and treated no differently than the next person. If it's in your wheelhouse to bring trans issues to attention and make it your focus to help other transgender people that's great but shouldn't be required
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The minefield is when the zealots complain that you shouldn't have a non-trans person playing a trans character, but then insist that a trans person be allowed to play a non-trans character. It *shouldn't* matter if they're a good enough actor; but for my preference, not talking about all the time it is the best way to make it not matter, and making it of no more importance than being left- or right-handed.
I think part of the idea though is trans women not getting any roles at all and then on top of that, not even getting roles of playing trans parts. I think all things being equal, what you're saying is what everyone would like to see
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She is my dream actress to play Princess Zelda in the live-action film. I think she's said she's a fan...
I do wish she didn't feel guilty for wanting to concentrate on her career. She's under no obligation to be a spokesperson/activist/whatever for trans people. If anything, doing what she's doing is the best thing she can do to be a role model for young trans people - Being true to herself, working hard and ignoring the haters.
Agreed. I'm transgender and feel this should be the end game - to live however we want and treated no differently than the next person. If it's in your wheelhouse to bring trans issues to attention and make it your focus to help other transgender people that's great but shouldn't be required
Load More Replies... The minefield is when the zealots complain that you shouldn't have a non-trans person playing a trans character, but then insist that a trans person be allowed to play a non-trans character. It *shouldn't* matter if they're a good enough actor; but for my preference, not talking about all the time it is the best way to make it not matter, and making it of no more importance than being left- or right-handed.
I think part of the idea though is trans women not getting any roles at all and then on top of that, not even getting roles of playing trans parts. I think all things being equal, what you're saying is what everyone would like to see
Load More Replies... She is my dream actress to play Princess Zelda in the live-action film. I think she's said she's a fan...
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