Rowan Ward, a transgender man from Minneapolis, Minnesota, made history as the first openly transgender contestant on Jeopardy! in September 2020. However, his appearance was overshadowed by controversy surrounding his dead name, or the name he was given at birth and no longer uses, which was used by the show's host Alex Trebek during the taping of the episode.
Ward, who competed under his chosen name, said he was "deeply disappointed" by the incident, which he felt was a "direct attack" on his identity. Jeopardy! issued an apology, saying they "regret the error and will take steps to ensure that this does not happen again." However, the incident raised questions about the show's policies regarding dead names and the treatment of transgender contestants.
This article explores the controversy surrounding Ward's appearance on Jeopardy! and discusses the issues of dead names and the treatment of transgender people in the media.
Rowan Ward Jeopardy Dead Name
Rowan Ward, a transgender man, made history on Jeopardy! in 2020.
- First openly transgender contestant
- Dead name used by host Alex Trebek
- Ward disappointed, felt attacked
- Jeopardy! apologized for error
- Incident raised questions about show's policies
- Dead names and media treatment of transgender people
- Transgender people often deadnamed
- Can be harmful and disrespectful
- Importance of using correct name and pronouns
- Media has a responsibility to be respectful
The incident involving Rowan Ward on Jeopardy! highlights the importance of using correct names and pronouns for transgender people and the need for the media to be more respectful in its treatment of transgender people.
First Openly Transgender Contestant
Rowan Ward made history on September 14, 2020, when he became the first openly transgender contestant to compete on Jeopardy!. Ward, a Minneapolis-based writer and editor, had been a fan of the show since he was a child, and he was thrilled to have the opportunity to compete.
Ward competed under his chosen name, Rowan, and he used male pronouns. However, during the taping of the episode, host Alex Trebek accidentally used Ward's dead name, or the name he was given at birth and no longer uses. Ward said he was "deeply disappointed" by the incident, which he felt was a "direct attack" on his identity.
Jeopardy! issued an apology, saying they "regret the error and will take steps to ensure that this does not happen again." The show also reached out to Ward personally to apologize and express their support. Ward said he appreciated the apology, but he also said he hoped the incident would lead to a broader conversation about the importance of respecting transgender people's identities.
Ward's appearance on Jeopardy! was a significant moment for transgender visibility. It was the first time that a transgender person had competed on the show openly and authentically, and it sent a powerful message of acceptance and inclusion.
The incident involving Ward's dead name also highlighted the importance of using correct names and pronouns for transgender people. Deadnaming, or using a transgender person's former name, can be harmful and disrespectful. It can invalidate their identity and make them feel unsafe. It is important to always use a transgender person's chosen name and pronouns, even if you make a mistake. If you do make a mistake, apologize and correct yourself immediately.