Evolving Language, Persistent Marginalization: Trans Representation in Italian Print Media (2000–2020)

This study examines the evolution of narrative frames and linguistic trends in the portrayal of trans people and issues within mainstream news media over two decades (2000–2020). At the international level, literature on the topic (Capuzza 2019) has highlighted a general under-representation and a tendency towards a merely episodic treatment of the topic (usually linked to the reporting of hate crimes). However, some relevant gaps remain: existing research predominantly focuses on individual trans figures who are newsworthy as celebrities or victims (Amy-Chinn 2011; Barker-Plummer 2013) and is largely situated within Anglo-American contexts, with rare exceptions examining countries considered progressive in terms of LGBTQI+ rights (Åkerlund 2019). Notably, Italy holds the grim distinction of being the European country with the highest number of murders of trans people (TGEU 2020), yet remains underresearched. Addressing these gaps, the study conducts a systematic analysis of trans representation in Italian mainstream media, utilizing a corpus from leading national newspapers. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, it explores shifts in narrative frames, language use, and visibility of trans issues over time. Preliminary findings indicate a gradual decline in misgendering, reflecting an adoption of more accurate and respectful language. However, this positive linguistic trend coexists with persistently low visibility of trans issues and a continued prevalence of pathologizing and criminalizing frames that often focus on transphobic violence using sensationalist or gory tones. These findings suggest that despite improvements in language use, mainstream Italian media continues to marginalize trans experiences through limited and problematic coverage.