Watch the video to find out why the trans people are raising an issue on this matter.
Video credit: Associated Press
The Internet went crazy over Snapchat’s new gender-swap feature, people are loving how the app transforms them into a member of the opposite sex. But some people are concerned about the impact of actual gender-swappers are firing back, they are accusing Snapchat of this new feature.
Many transgender have complained to major news websites about this new feature of Snapchat, like the New York Post and The Guardian post say, transgenders are not liking that how the Snapchat filters turn transitioning gender into a game.
“My gender’s not a costume,” one transgender individual told the Post. “This story that I feel is very real. I lost a lot to be who I am, and I fought really hard for the body that I’m in.
“And when certain people post it and write about how silly it is and how goofy they look with this filter,” the person told the paper, “it makes light of the transgender experience.”
The application isn’t meant to be to hurt any community, and they didn’t mean to be a serious exploration into the notions of gender and the gender binary.point 247 |
It’s for just a fun, silly way for Snapchat users to change their self-portraits for posting.point 84 | But there are some people who didn’t like the idea, and they don’t find it funny.point 154 | point 154 | 1
“Experimenting with identity is fun, which is why the filter is so popular, but what’s fun for some, is a punishing reality for others. Many from the LGBTQ+ community have been quick to point out that Snapchat’s filter not only strictly adheres to the gender binary but also many users’ insouciant attitudes towards gender play hardly translate in real life,” noted one writer on TheNextWeb.
One “non-binary” speaker told VICE media, “There’s a fine line between encouraging people to take gender less seriously and not considering trans realities or carelessly perpetuating misunderstanding about trans identities.”
“These new Snapchat filters got y’ all out here having fun with gender roles, joking about sex with your homeboys, and sporting beards with lashes. All we ask is that you keep that same energy when you interact with actual transgender and non-binary ppl. Thanks, management,” wrote a critic on Twitter.
“oh so if queer people play around with gender, it’s called “unnatural” and “gross,” but if cishet people do it, it’s called a snapshot filter? okay then,” wrote another.
Snapchat responded with saying that it’s not removing the filter, which is meant to be temporary anyway.
“We understand that identity is deeply personal,” the company said in a statement to the Post.
“As we have and continue to explore the possibilities of this technology, our Lens design team is working … to ensure that on the whole, these Lenses are diverse and inclusive by providing a wide range of transformative effects.”
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