How to Talk About Toricxs Respectfully — Language Tips and Resources

Toricxs Representation in Media: Progress and GapsIntroduction

Toricxs—people who identify outside the gender binary and who use the neopronoun set “tor/tors/torself” (or related forms)—have begun to appear more frequently in public conversations, activist spaces, and creative work. Media representation plays a central role in shaping public understanding, access to community, and everyday acceptance. This article examines how toricxs have been portrayed across film, television, literature, journalism, and online platforms; highlights measurable progress; identifies persistent gaps and harms; and offers concrete recommendations for creators, journalists, and platforms who want to improve representation responsibly.

What “Toricxs” Means (brief)

Toricxs refers to people who use tor/tors/torself (and sometimes other neopronouns) to describe themselves. Like other neopronouns, these terms function grammatically like traditional pronouns but are chosen by some nonbinary, genderqueer, or gender-nonconforming people to better reflect their identity. Pronoun use and terminology vary widely; not every person using tor-pronouns will describe themself as “toricx,” and regional or community-specific variations exist.

Progress: Where representation has improved

1. Visibility in online communities and social media

   • Social platforms (Tumblr, Twitter/X, TikTok, Instagram) have allowed people who use neopronouns to share personal narratives, educational threads, and creative work. These platforms help normalize neopronoun use by showing them in everyday contexts—introductions, bios, and captions—so audiences see practical usage rather than abstract definitions.

2. Inclusion in user-driven media and web series

   • Independent creators have foregrounded characters who use neopronouns, doing so with creative control over writing and casting. Web series, short films, and podcasts produced by queer creators often portray pronoun usage organically, showing how friends, partners, and workplaces navigate neopronouns in real life.

3. Educational coverage and mainstream journalism (cautious but growing)

   • More mainstream outlets have published explainers and first-person essays that center neopronoun users’ perspectives, increasing public awareness. Some reputable outlets feature guides on how to use neopronouns respectfully in conversation and reporting.

4. Representation in fiction and speculative genres

   • Science fiction and fantasy, with their histories of exploring alternate social systems and gender constructs, have been especially fertile ground for characters who use neopronouns. This genre framing can both normalize and imaginatively expand conversations about gender.

Persistent gaps and harms

1. Stereotyping and tokenism

   • When toricx characters do appear in mainstream media, they are often written as one-dimensional symbols of “otherness”—their identity becomes their entire story arc. This reduces complexity and reinforces the idea that toricx identities exist only to teach cisgender audiences lessons about inclusivity.

2. Misgendering and incorrect pronoun use as plot devices

   • Some narratives use persistent misgendering or “reveal” moments for dramatic effect, which can retraumatize viewers who experience real-world misgendering. Using misgendering for conflict without consequences or context normalizes disrespect.

3. Lack of credited creators and authentic casting

   • Many productions include toricx or neopronoun-using characters without hiring writers, directors, or actors who share that identity. This leads to inaccuracies, clichéd portrayals, and missed opportunities for employment and craft development within the community.

4. Overemphasis on novelty rather than everyday experience

   • Coverage often frames neopronouns as a passing trend or internet curiosity, which delegitimizes their significance for people who have used them for years. This framing encourages dismissal and reduces empathy.

5. Algorithmic and moderation suppression on platforms

   • Automated moderation systems sometimes flag neopronouns as “unusual” or “inappropriate” language, leading to removal of posts or shadowbanning. This technical barrier reduces visibility and discourages community members from sharing identity-affirming content.

6. Regional and cultural blind spots

   • Most mainstream examples come from Western media; representations that resonate across diverse cultural contexts are lacking. Local naming conventions, language structures, and cultural attitudes toward gender are often ignored.

Case studies (short)

• Independent web series X (example): centered a toricx lead played by a tor-pronoun-using actor; praised for authentic dialogue and community consultation.
• Mainstream drama Y (example): introduced a toricx supporting character but relied on a cis writer’s misunderstandings, resulting in inaccurate pronoun grammar and stereotyped storyline.
  (These are illustrative patterns—specific titles change fast as creators experiment.)

Best practices for creators and journalists

1. Consult and hire community members

   • Include toricx writers, consultants, and cast in meaningful roles (not just as token advisors). Compensation and credit matter.

2. Use pronouns naturally and accurately

   • Show pronouns in introductions, captions, and dialogue without exoticizing them. Demonstrate respectful correction when mistakes happen.

3. Contextualize without sensationalizing

   • Offer education within narratives or reporting that centers lived experience, not just definitions or controversy.

4. Audit moderation systems and tagging algorithms

   • Platforms should test filters that falsely flag neopronouns and train moderators to recognize legitimate pronoun usage.

5. Show everyday lives and intersections

   • Portray toricx characters with careers, family dynamics, friendships, desires, and flaws—multidimensional people rather than didactic examples.

Recommendations for platforms and funders

• Invest in creator grants targeted to toricx and neopronoun-using artists.
• Fund research into how content moderation affects marginalized language communities.
• Support localization initiatives that explore neopronouns in non-English languages and diverse cultural contexts.

Measuring progress: metrics to track

• Number of productions with credited toricx creators or consultants.
• Frequency of accurate pronoun usage in scripts and dialogue.
• Incidents of moderation removals involving neopronouns.
• Audience perception surveys within toricx communities about representation quality.

Conclusion

Representation of toricxs in media has improved in visibility and variety, particularly online and in independent creative spaces. However, mainstream portrayals still too often rely on tokenism, inaccurate depictions, and platform-level barriers that limit visibility. With intentional hiring, respectful storytelling, and platform reform, media can move from novelty to normalization—showing toricx people as complete, complex humans whose pronouns are one part of their lived identities.