The Public Perceptions of Transgender Identity as 'the Other' in Social Media
Keywords:
transgender, social media, public perception, the other
Abstract
Waria also known as transgender women, despite consistent exclusion from society, are becoming increasingly visible in Indonesia during the era of globalization. In recent years, they have gained more popularity by leveraging the rapid development of social media. This study aims to critically examine public perceptions of transgender, using the case of one of Indonesia's most famous transgender figures, Lucinta Luna. The researcher analyses Instagram users’ comments on her account, as a representation of how the public responds to Luna's identity as a transgender. This study utilizes a qualitative approach and thematic analysis as the analytical method. To analyze the data, this research uses Computer-Aided Qualitative Analysis Software (CAQDAS) NVivo 12. Furthermore, this study adopts Hall's theory of 'the other' to critically examine how Indonesians respond to transgenders. This research found that two significant themes emerged from overall Instagram users' comments on Luna's identity, which are negative and positive public perceptions. In both themes, three sub-themes emerged: sarcasm, religious criticism, and sexual harassment in the negative theme, and admiration, comedy, and a supportive attitude in the positive theme.
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Toomistu, T. (2022). Thinking through the s(k)in. Indonesia and the Malay World, 50(146), 73-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639811.2022.2015187
Toomistu, T. (2019). Playground love: sex work, pleasure, and selfaffirmation in the urban nightlife of Indonesian waria. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 21(2), 205-218. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2018.1459847
Video 'Lucinta Luna': Kenapa ikut pusing pada identitas seksual orang? (2018, March 27). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/trensosial-43512435
Wijaya, H. Y. (2020a). Conservative Islamic forces, global LGBT rights, and anticipatory homopho-bia in Indonesia. In M. Derks & M. V. D. Berg (Eds.), Public discourses about homosexuality andreligion in Europe and beyond (pp. 325–348). Palgrave Macmillan
Wijaya, H.Y. (2020b). Intimate Assemblages: The Politics of Queer Identities and Sexualities in Indonesia. Palgrave Macmillan Singapore
William, B. (2021, March). Exclusive: Lucinta Luna Keluar Tahanan Dan Ngaku Dirinya Adalah…[Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQnI2FpKo5I
Boellstorff, Tom. (2004). Playing Back the Nation: Waria, Indonesian Transvestites. Cultural Anthropology, 19(2), 159–95. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3651553
Boellstorff, Tom. (2005). The Gay Archipelago: Sexuality and Nation in Indonesia. Princeton University Press.
Boellstorff, Tom. 2007. A Coincidence of Desires: Anthropology, Queer Studies, Indonesia. Duke University Press.
Boellstorff, T. (2020). Om toleran Om: four Indonesian reflections on digital heterosexism. Media, Culture & Society, 42(1), 7-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443719884066
Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods (4th edition). Oxford University Press.
Buss, J., Le, H., & Haimson, O. L. (2021). Transgender identity management across social media platforms. Media, Culture & Society, 44(1), 22-38. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437211027106
Cannon, Y., Speedlin, S., Avera, J., Robertson, D., Ingram, M., & Prado, A. (2017) Transition, connection, disconnection, and social media: Examining the digital lived experiences of transgender individuals. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, (11) 68–87 https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2017.1310006
Corbuzier, D. (2021, October). Transgender Paling Sexseeh - Dinda Syarif. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj_ePS9EL-g
Demi Rp 1 M, Wanita Ini Sebar Video Lucinta Luna Pasca Operasi Kelamin. (2018). Cumicumi. https://www.cumicumi.com/articles/cumi-celebs/140516/demi-rp-1-m-wanita-ini-sebar-video-lucinta-luna-pasca-operasi-kelamin
Fajarini, S.D. (2021). Penolakan Masyarakat Terhadap Waria Dan Proses Resiliensi Waria Terhadap Penolakan Masyarakat Di Kota Bengkulu. Jurnal Mahasiswa Program Studi Ilmu Komunikasi Universitas Muhammadiyah Bengkulu, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.36085/j-sikom.v2i2.3096
Gara-gara Lucinta, Jessica Mila Jadi Bridezilla. (2019, June 26). Tabloid Bintang. https://www.tabloidbintang.com/film-tv-musik/sinopsis/read/131926/gara-gara-lucinta-jessica-mila-jadi-bridezilla
Hall, S. (1997). Representation: cultural representations and signifying practices. Sage in association with the Open University.
Hawkins, M.J. (2017). Thematic Analysis. In: The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. SAGE Publications, Inc.
Hegarty, B. (2018). Under the Lights, Onto the Stage: Becoming Waria through National Glamour in New Order Indonesia. TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, 5(3), 355-377. https://doi.org/10.1215/23289252-6900738
Jones, S.E. (2020). Negotiating Transgender Identity at Work: A Movement to Theorize a Transgender Standpoint Epistemology. Management Communication Quarterly, 34(2), 251-278. https://doi.org/10.1177/0893318919898170
Kerap Jadi Sorotan, Lucinta Luna Ungkap Alasan Pilih Jadi Transgender. (2021, July 31). Merdeka. https://www.merdeka.com/jabar/kerap-jadi-sorotan-lucinta-luna-ungkap-alasan-pilih-jadi-transgender.html
Kiger, M.E., & Varpio, L. (2020). Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE Guide No. 131. Medical Teacher, 42(8), 846-854. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1755030
Majid, G. M., & Pal, A. (2020, Maret). Conspiracy and Rumor Correction: Analysis of Social Media Users' Comments. In Proceedings of the 2020 3rd International Conference on Information and Computer Technologies, San Jose, USA. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICICT50521.2020.00058
Mengapa Waria Banyak Terjebak Prostitusi? (2020, May 9). DW News. https://www.dw.com/id/mengapa-waria-banyak-terjebak-prostitusi/a-53332982
Moser, A., & Korstjens, I. (2017). Series: Practical guidance to qualitative research. Part 1: Introduction. The European journal of general practice, 23(1), 271–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/13814788.2017.1375093
Mulyana, S.P., Akwila, K.F., Ummah, L.M.K., & Triswati, F. (2019). Analisis Waria Atau Transgender Melakukan Operasi Ganti Kelamin Dalam Perspektif Hukum Islam Dan Hukum Positif. Istinbáth, Jurnal Hukum dan Ekonomi Islam, 18(2), p.233-422. https://istinbath.or.id/index.php/ijhi/article/view/169/68
Oetomo, D. & Suvianita, K. (2013). Hidup Sebagai LGBT Di Asia: Laporan Nasional Indonesia, Tinjauan Dan Analisis Partisipatif Tentang Lingkungan Hukum Dan Sosial Bagi Orang Dan Masyarakat Madani Lesbian, Gay, Biseksual dan Transgender (LGBT). USAID & UNDP.
Pawson, R. (1999). Methodology. In: Taylor S (ed.) Sociology: Issues and Debates. Macmillan.
Praptoraharjo, I., Navendorff, L., & Irwanto. (2015). Laporan Penelitian Survei Kualitas Hidup Waria. Pusat Penelitian HIV dan AIDS. Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya.
Profil Lucinta Luna, Ngaku Nama Aslinya Muhammad Fatah. (2021, October 27). VIVA. https://www.viva.co.id/showbiz/gosip/1417469-profil-lucinta-luna-ngaku-nama-aslinya-muhammad-fatah?page=3&utm_medium=page-3
Sunardi, C. (2009). Pushing at the boundaries of the body Cultural politics and cross-gender dance in East Java. Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde (BKI). 165(4), 459-492. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43817774
Susanki & Oktavia, D.A. (2013). Kehidupan Waria di Jorong Mandiangin, Kecamatan Kinali, Kabupaten Pasaman Barat. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Mamangan, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.22202/mamangan.v2i2.1374
Toomistu, T. (2022). Thinking through the s(k)in. Indonesia and the Malay World, 50(146), 73-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/13639811.2022.2015187
Toomistu, T. (2019). Playground love: sex work, pleasure, and selfaffirmation in the urban nightlife of Indonesian waria. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 21(2), 205-218. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2018.1459847
Video 'Lucinta Luna': Kenapa ikut pusing pada identitas seksual orang? (2018, March 27). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/trensosial-43512435
Wijaya, H. Y. (2020a). Conservative Islamic forces, global LGBT rights, and anticipatory homopho-bia in Indonesia. In M. Derks & M. V. D. Berg (Eds.), Public discourses about homosexuality andreligion in Europe and beyond (pp. 325–348). Palgrave Macmillan
Wijaya, H.Y. (2020b). Intimate Assemblages: The Politics of Queer Identities and Sexualities in Indonesia. Palgrave Macmillan Singapore
William, B. (2021, March). Exclusive: Lucinta Luna Keluar Tahanan Dan Ngaku Dirinya Adalah…[Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQnI2FpKo5I
Published
2024-03-14
Section
Articles
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