With anti-LGBT—and specifically anti-transgender—“religious liberty” and bathroom bills making headlines in states like North Carolina and Mississippi, queer visibility is more important than ever. In the case of the bathroom legislation—which seeks to ban trans folks from using the facilities consistent with their gender identity—in particular, it’s easy for bigots to prey on the honest ignorance of otherwise compassionate people who don’t understand trans identity and may be easily fooled into believing the “predator” myths. The only way to combat that is to introduce as many Americans as possible to real, totally unthreatening trans people—which is why it’s fantastic that The Daily Show With Trevor Noah did just that on Wednesday night.
After a fine introduction to the bathroom legislation by Noah, correspondent Jessica Williams took on the rash of “trans panic” in a very straightforward way: by connecting viewers with a bunch of very chill trans folks who are definitely not a threat to anyone. The entire segment—which begins with the harrowing tale of Meagan Taylor’s eight-day confinement after being reported by a hotel receptionist to Iowa police—is powerful, but focus especially on the moment in which Williams has a panel of trans men and women shower her with the invasive, offensive questions they endure on a daily basis. She leaves the experience cowering in her chair. Hopefully, the show’s audience will leave with confidence that trans people are not the enemy—it’s bigoted politicians and activists we should fear.
