This is Unreal, a BBC sounds podcast certainly lives up to its name. This episode is a dive into the more unhinged reality TV programmes, and there's focus on There's Something About Miriam, a 2003/4 programme where men competed for a date with a transwoman,
except they don't know (although several guess) Miriam's biological sex.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0c71jkv
from about 19 mins in.
The male contestants sued the show citing conspiracy to commit sexual assault, defamation, breach of contract, and personal injury in the form of psychological and emotional damage. This was settled for an undisclosed amount. The podcast glosses over the fact that the contestants won the legal/ ethical argument and instead focus on the transphobia of not accepting Miriam as a biological female.
The podcasts authors discuss the negative way transwomen were portrayed at the time as being predatory and deceptive, in films like Ace Ventura etc.
But then conversely go on to say essentially it's fine to be deceptive by not disclosing trans status to potential partners.
"Did the contestants really need a cheque for the supposed humiliation of kissing a transwoman on TV and the damage this has done their masculinity "
Remy Blumenfeld, the shows producer says its difficult to know what damage has been done to the male contestants, except for their pride..... which would certainly be different today... (news flash Blumenfeld, heterosexual men are still heterosexual men in 2022).
He then claims, to suggest that every trans person should discuss their history with every prospective suitor before intimacy is a real infringement of human rights.
He says he doesn't have to disclose that he's gay or Jewish, in a frankly bizarre comparison.
Blumenfeld apparently psychologically tested the male contestants and because they weren't homophobic he thought it would all be fine. I think he's failed to grasp there's a difference between being homophobic and wanting a same sex relationship when your heterosexual.
Faye agrees that trans people shouldn't have to disclose before kissing someone, although was against the way the programme was done. Faye thinks in a better situation the heterosexual men could have overcome their "toxic masculinity "
The programme wraps up by claiming reality TV is still transphobic because India Willoughby was misgendered twice in Celebrity Big Brother 2018. It was transphobic to place Willoughby in the house with potentially mean women. The response to the show also forced Willoughby to pay for facial surgery to appear more feminine.
It's quite the mind blast for anyone who actually watched that programme.
Willoughby was obnoxious.
There's little balance over the consent issue. The presenters and both interviewees think TWAW, so the male contestants of There's Something About Miriam were being unfair.
It's interesting to note the CPS are consulting on sex by deception.
It's pretty hard going on the woowoo front. I think it's suggesting if you genuinely believe your the opposite sex it's all fine and dandy not to mention you are not.
Discussed here: www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4641909-cps-consultation-on-guidance-re-sex-by-deception
Clearly the show was a terrible idea, from a multiple of perspectives, but i found the discussion about consent shocking.
Honesty is the best policy seems not to be the case anymore.