REPRESENTASI IDENTITAS GENDER INFLUENCER TRANSGENDER MELALUI KOMUNIKASI VISUAL DI MEDIA SOSIAL (Analisis semiotika pada akun TikTok @ianhugen)

Social media has become an important space for the construction and representation of gender identity, including for transgender individuals who often exist outside dominant social norms. However, transgender representations on social media are still frequently associated with stigma and social inequality. This study addresses the question of how gender identity is represented and constructed by transgender influencer Ian Hugen through visual communication on TikTok. The purpose of this research is to analyze the representation of transgender gender identity as conveyed through visual signs in Ian Hugen’s TikTok content (@ianhugen).
This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach using Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis, focusing on denotative, connotative, and mythological meanings. The research object consists of ten selected videos from the TikTok account @ianhugen, analyzed through documentation techniques. The analysis focuses on visual communication elements such as clothing, makeup, body gestures, visual expressions, and Ian’s participation in social, cultural, and professional spaces.
The findings indicate that Ian Hugen consistently represents transgender gender identity as feminine through meaningful visual signs. These representations construct positive meanings that challenge binary gender norms and position transgender women as empowered subjects within public spaces. This study suggests that future research could expand the scope to other social media platforms or incorporate audience perspectives to deepen the understanding of transgender representation in digital media.