This thesis aims at examining the influence of social media representation of trans and travestí people on the public sentiment towards this group. It discusses how, historically, trans and...Show moreThis thesis aims at examining the influence of social media representation of trans and travestí people on the public sentiment towards this group. It discusses how, historically, trans and travestí issues have been underrepresented in queer theories and linguistics. It intends to address the gap when it comes to trans and travestí research in Brazil and instigate further research on this topic. The results of the survey found that a majority of participants base their perception and opinion on trans and travestí people from representation in the Brazilian media. Researching trans and travestí in the media in Brazil revealed particular attitudes and stigmas that influence the media consumers' perception of this group. Research has indicated that social representations are carriers of stigmas and sentiments that are transmitted through the media and become culturally embedded and could negatively affect the group represented (Jodelet 2001). Therefore, it is important to understand what sentiments and stigmas the media portrayals in Brazil contain to understand the specificity of Brazil’s public sentiment concerning gender-based violence. The research has found that the media often reduces their depiction of trans and travestí people as victims of violence and discrimination. This type of portrayal of trans people as victims has been connected to the reproduction of the culture of violence against trans people internationally (De Jong et al., 2021). In Brazil, the prominence of transfeminicides can be understood to a greater extent by recognizing the contribution of the Brazilian media in the reproduction of a culturally embedded violent sentiment towards trans and travestí people. For this reason, this thesis urges toward a multi-dimensional, humanized, and accurate portrayal of trans and travestí people in the Brazilian media.Show less
