Luna and Euphoria as Turning Points in Contemporary Trans Discourse

Abstract

Although representations of transgender individuals have been scarce in the history of literature, television, and film, there has been a significant increase in depiction in recent years. Two of these depictions are analyzed in this thesis: the young adult novel Luna (2006) and the television series Euphoria (2019). This thesis aims to explain why these two texts may be considered turning points in contemporary trans discourse. Whereas Luna represents an earlier, outdated mode of trans visibility, Euphoria will likely change the discourse around trans identity in the future by its modern depictions that normalize transness while at the same time gesture toward the endless possibilities of gender and identity. Central to the argument of this thesis is not just a comparison between the novel and the television show, but the charting of how much has changed between them as it provides a comprehensive synthesis of academic research on transness while navigating between the disciples of literary, media and cultural studies.