Degrassi is how I first learned about the trans experience. As a cis teen with no trans friends or relatives I genuinely didn’t know about the trans experience and the challenges trans people face. I’m so glad I did learn because i was able to question my gender biases and I grew up to be an ally. I wish everyone had seen this in their teens, whether they’re trans or cis. Degrassi was always willing to tackle subjects no one else would
The first season Adam was aired in came out in 2010. I went to public high school in 2010 and can honestly say it was a different time, and not surprising at all that kids like the Degrassi bullies got away with it. I saw plenty of bullying happen including violent incidents, there was tons of online bullying that school administrations weren’t technologically advanced enough to be aware of, and all sorts of crappy behavior. Rules weren’t as strict, expulsion for things was rare, you were more likely to just get a suspension if you even got punished. Many hallways didn’t have cameras and the ones that did weren’t great. And in 2010 kids as well as school admins were pretty mean and less accepting of marginalized groups such as trans people. No one at my huge school was out as trans, however I know a couple who transitioned a few years after. Honestly things have probably changed for the better for kids, school administrations have more awareness and surveillance, and stricter rules when it comes to bullying. Hopefully that kind of shitty behavior isn’t tolerated anymore
What i liked ahout Adam's storyline was that the audience got to know him through his friendship with Eli and Clare in the fourteen episodes before his storyline. He's nerdy, alt, and comes off as socially awkward, especially when trying to act more masc, like when Eli got kicked "down there" and Adam didn't react like a CIS guy normally would. It was like little nuggets to prepare the audience for his storyline while learning to like and care about him. Degrassi can be cheesy AF but man Adam's storyline was the first time I had ever seen a trans person on TV and i thought for the most part they treated him like a full character, even though he did get sidelined later on. He was given rich friendships, had romantic relationships, and a full life (in a band, had a radio show, and played on the volleyball team). Adam Torres paved a way for further trans representation in TV.
as a trans guy, thank u for making this video! as corny as it may sound this video made me feel seen seeing as a lot of the cis people in my life still have trouble understanding my experiences as a trans person. adam was one of if not the first trans character i ever saw represented in a show i liked and i resonated with him before i even fully knew i was trans. i will always be thankful for degrassi bringing adam into the storyline and i appreciate them portraying the realities of being trans as a teenager in highschool. the reality is, being trans is hard and frustrating more often than not, and i feel like degrassi did a really good job showing that experience. anyway, i love ur degrassi content- great video :))))
It is and isn’t depending on where you’re from 😅 some students can be this ridiculous if they don’t like you enough, most of degrassi episodes early on were written with the actors in mind I wonder how it was at this point in the show
Thank you for such a respectful take on the subject! I wish I had known about this show when I was coming out and starting my transition. It might have helped my parents with understanding. Just goes to show that representation matters!
I knew about this show, a few years before i was comfortable coming out. I wish id remembered Adams arc when i was trying to help my mother be more accepting. Thank you for your take on his story 🫀
25:30 And, it wasn't completely your fault since we're pretty much forced into thinking from a heteronormative way. I am glad you owned up to your own former bias.
It really is ALWAYS trans women in media. I think it’s because a woman early on in transition could have more visible secondary characteristics than a trans man might, like facial hair and bone structure. Especially when I show uses it for comedy and incredibly insensitive portrayals.
When my sister (who is 8 years older than me), was in high school she watched and loved Degrassi. I remember these two episodes vividly, and they made me understand transphobia and how hard it was for these people just trying to be themselves. When I was in high school, and questioning my own gender, I watched through all of Degrassi. When I got to this episode, something clicked in my head. That it was worth it to just try and be myself. I’d like to thank this episode twice over
Degrassi was so ahead of its time. So many of us didn’t know any trans people growing up and this introduced us to a trans experience. The show humanized the characters so well too.
They didn't have to kill him off. He could have switched schools because those assholes threw him into a door or, I dunno, moved to another country where he could get gender affirming surgery without his parents' consent. Why did they think death was all they could do to end his character arc?! Like the "bury your gays" trope, they decided to have the only trans boy character in all of Degrassi's history just die in a texting-related car crash. Am I crazy? Or were the writers not thinking about the bad optics of having the trans person die?
I remember loving this two parter so much. One thing that bugs me about Adam's storyline is that he is seeing a therapist, but it took several seasons for the therapist to bring up a letter of support to start testosterone. This may be a byproduct of time moving so much slower in the later seasons, so wha looks like 2 years to me is probably only a couple of months in story.
great point, I don't know why people think being homosexual or trans is a choice, if it were a choice I'm sure they would choose the easy considered normal path in life. its not a choice. good video.
really liked adam this episode made me so emotional as a teen/ now. Im really happy the writers didn't fumble this especially in 2010 (minus the cringe dialogue lol) also great video!! :)
Degrassi is how I first learned about the trans experience. As a cis teen with no trans friends or relatives I genuinely didn’t know about the trans experience and the challenges trans people face. I’m so glad I did learn because i was able to question my gender biases and I grew up to be an ally. I wish everyone had seen this in their teens, whether they’re trans or cis. Degrassi was always willing to tackle subjects no one else would
How the bullies weren’t expelled, or Bianca for that matter. Who the fuck tears someone else’s clothes off in the hallway?!
That's a good question.
The first season Adam was aired in came out in 2010. I went to public high school in 2010 and can honestly say it was a different time, and not surprising at all that kids like the Degrassi bullies got away with it. I saw plenty of bullying happen including violent incidents, there was tons of online bullying that school administrations weren’t technologically advanced enough to be aware of, and all sorts of crappy behavior. Rules weren’t as strict, expulsion for things was rare, you were more likely to just get a suspension if you even got punished. Many hallways didn’t have cameras and the ones that did weren’t great. And in 2010 kids as well as school admins were pretty mean and less accepting of marginalized groups such as trans people. No one at my huge school was out as trans, however I know a couple who transitioned a few years after.
Honestly things have probably changed for the better for kids, school administrations have more awareness and surveillance, and stricter rules when it comes to bullying. Hopefully that kind of shitty behavior isn’t tolerated anymore
The way Drew went on to later date Bianca after this still blows my mind.
And the fact that Bianca offered that half ass apology later on did not help
Hey now…. I use “it’s too early for all those decibels” ALL THE TIME. That’s a good line! 😂😂😂
What i liked ahout Adam's storyline was that the audience got to know him through his friendship with Eli and Clare in the fourteen episodes before his storyline. He's nerdy, alt, and comes off as socially awkward, especially when trying to act more masc, like when Eli got kicked "down there" and Adam didn't react like a CIS guy normally would. It was like little nuggets to prepare the audience for his storyline while learning to like and care about him.
Degrassi can be cheesy AF but man Adam's storyline was the first time I had ever seen a trans person on TV and i thought for the most part they treated him like a full character, even though he did get sidelined later on. He was given rich friendships, had romantic relationships, and a full life (in a band, had a radio show, and played on the volleyball team). Adam Torres paved a way for further trans representation in TV.
as a trans guy, thank u for making this video! as corny as it may sound this video made me feel seen seeing as a lot of the cis people in my life still have trouble understanding my experiences as a trans person. adam was one of if not the first trans character i ever saw represented in a show i liked and i resonated with him before i even fully knew i was trans. i will always be thankful for degrassi bringing adam into the storyline and i appreciate them portraying the realities of being trans as a teenager in highschool. the reality is, being trans is hard and frustrating more often than not, and i feel like degrassi did a really good job showing that experience. anyway, i love ur degrassi content- great video :))))
The meanness is Degrassi has always been overplayed. And, yeah, I get their catchphrase, "It goes there!"
It is and isn’t depending on where you’re from 😅 some students can be this ridiculous if they don’t like you enough, most of degrassi episodes early on were written with the actors in mind I wonder how it was at this point in the show
Thank you for such a respectful take on the subject! I wish I had known about this show when I was coming out and starting my transition. It might have helped my parents with understanding. Just goes to show that representation matters!
I knew about this show, a few years before i was comfortable coming out. I wish id remembered Adams arc when i was trying to help my mother be more accepting.
Thank you for your take on his story 🫀
25:30 And, it wasn't completely your fault since we're pretty much forced into thinking from a heteronormative way. I am glad you owned up to your own former bias.
Oh wow! I didn't know Degrassi had a trans man character. it's pretty exciting to see a trans dude on tv because it never happens lol
It really is ALWAYS trans women in media. I think it’s because a woman early on in transition could have more visible secondary characteristics than a trans man might, like facial hair and bone structure. Especially when I show uses it for comedy and incredibly insensitive portrayals.
When my sister (who is 8 years older than me), was in high school she watched and loved Degrassi. I remember these two episodes vividly, and they made me understand transphobia and how hard it was for these people just trying to be themselves. When I was in high school, and questioning my own gender, I watched through all of Degrassi. When I got to this episode, something clicked in my head. That it was worth it to just try and be myself. I’d like to thank this episode twice over
Degrassi was so ahead of its time. So many of us didn’t know any trans people growing up and this introduced us to a trans experience. The show humanized the characters so well too.
They didn't have to kill him off. He could have switched schools because those assholes threw him into a door or, I dunno, moved to another country where he could get gender affirming surgery without his parents' consent. Why did they think death was all they could do to end his character arc?! Like the "bury your gays" trope, they decided to have the only trans boy character in all of Degrassi's history just die in a texting-related car crash. Am I crazy? Or were the writers not thinking about the bad optics of having the trans person die?
Degrassi made me knowledgeable about trans people.
Same here.
Well... Eli did say, "Macho." Just in his way.
I remember loving this two parter so much. One thing that bugs me about Adam's storyline is that he is seeing a therapist, but it took several seasons for the therapist to bring up a letter of support to start testosterone. This may be a byproduct of time moving so much slower in the later seasons, so wha looks like 2 years to me is probably only a couple of months in story.
im obsessed with this channel
6:04 yeah degrassi dialogue is so.. 😭
great point, I don't know why people think being homosexual or trans is a choice, if it were a choice I'm sure they would choose the easy considered normal path in life. its not a choice. good video.
really liked adam this episode made me so emotional as a teen/ now. Im really happy the writers didn't fumble this especially in 2010 (minus the cringe dialogue lol) also great video!! :)
Adam is literally me
Why would you bandage yourself over your clothing like get it right seriously