Identity is not usually a subject that The Big Issue tackles, with the magazine itself being one that prioritises the issue of homelessness and poverty, among other economic and social issues. However, in the 25th Anniversary edition of the magazine, the issue of identity is tackled in Grayson Perry’s letter to his younger self, situated on page 14 in the magazine.
However uncomfortable for some it may be to read this letter for one reason or another, the issue of identity is clear to see as the artist articulates what he would tell his younger self, regarding many events and happenings in his past. He laments on his own insecurities stemming from his problems and struggles with masculinity and identity.
This representation of transvestites and identity itself could be seen as a largely subjective representation, yet the way it is written tries to paint the letter as an objective view of transvestites, from a transvestite. This can be seen in when Perry writes ‘And lots of transvestites overreact, try to cure themselves by doing something manly...’, which makes it seem as if Perry is trying to speak for all transvestites. As well as this, it makes them seem like they all have issues with their masculinity or identity, when that may not be the case for some of them. This could be considered a stereotype for those who consider themselves to be a transvestite.
This is where Stuart Hall’s Construction Theory comes in. This theory is described as ‘The idea that representation is the production of meaning through language’ and is ‘governed by codes’. As well as that, this theory talks about stereotyping, and how it reduces groups to a few select characteristics or traits, no matter how far from the truth those characteristics may be.
The theory can be applied to this article, as the representation of transvestites in this article is created through the language used to describe them, even if that language is also used by a transvestite. It creates a stereotype in that transvestites are insecure about their masculinity or identity, and are also generally not accepted by their friends, family, relatives and the like. For some transvestites, this may not be true, and they may not feel as if they are being represented correctly. However, this article is specifically a letter from Grayson Perry to his 16-year-old self, meaning that, most likely, the only transvestite he was trying to represent in this is himself. Chances are, he was not trying to stereotype transvestites in a way that harms them, more explain and share his point of view and experiences as a transvestite himself.
Even if this was the intent, there are always different ways for someone to be able to read a media text, this one included, however personal to himself it was. Just because it does not reference any other transvestites, doesn’t mean other transvestites won’t see themselves in this letter.
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