Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
In 2013, the Tulsa World documentary Being Katie cast a powerful spotlight on the life of Katie Hill, a transgender teenager from Bixby, Oklahoma. The film is part of a broader conversation on gender identity and the complexities surrounding the transgender experience, particularly in a conservative community. In particular, the documentary provides an intimate portrayal of Hill’s personal transition, the challenges she faced, and her ultimate advocacy for transgender rights. Through this compelling two-part series, Being Katie reveals the courage, resilience, and humanity of a young person navigating her identity in a world that often fails to understand or accept the nuances of gender diversity.
Born Katie Rain Hill in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1994, Hill's journey toward self-acceptance was far from easy. Like many transgender individuals, she struggled with her gender identity from a young age. She was assigned male at birth, but throughout her childhood and early adolescence, Katie felt an overwhelming sense of disconnection from her assigned gender. This inner turmoil led to bullying and isolation, which affected her mental health deeply. In interviews, Hill openly shares the torment she felt as a child, describing how the bullying led to depression and even suicidal thoughts.
In a particularly harrowing account, Hill recalls attempting to take her own life when she was only eight years old. While she survived, this moment marked the beginning of a long struggle with mental health, which included coping with depression and anxiety. For years, Katie lived with a quiet sense of despair, feeling trapped in a body that did not reflect who she truly was.
The turning point in Katie Hill’s life came on her 15th birthday. After years of internal conflict and mounting emotional pain, Katie decided it was time to take control of her identity. She asked her mother, Jazzlyn Hill, to help her begin the process of transitioning. This moment is significant because it represents both a personal and familial turning point. Jazzlyn, despite her initial uncertainties and fears about what transitioning might mean for her daughter’s future, chose to support Katie unconditionally. This support from her family would prove to be a cornerstone in Katie's journey.
In the documentary, we see Katie’s emotional journey unfold. The series chronicles her coming out to her friends, her family’s gradual acceptance, and the subsequent steps she takes toward physical transition. From hormone therapy to undergoing gender-affirming surgery at the age of 18, Katie’s process of becoming her true self was both cathartic and challenging. As she opens up about these transformative moments, it becomes clear that while the physical changes were significant, the emotional and psychological aspects of her transition were equally complex.
As Katie’s transition progressed, she began to garner national attention—particularly after she and her then-boyfriend Arin Andrews became the subjects of media attention. Both Katie and Arin, who was also a transgender teen, captured public fascination for their shared experience. Their relationship was one of the few openly transgender relationships to be widely publicized at the time, and they became symbols of transgender visibility.
In 2013, Katie and Arin were featured in a transgender-focused modeling campaign for Barneys, a prestigious New York-based department store. The campaign, led by photographer Bruce Weber, aimed to highlight the stories of transgender individuals and their unique experiences. This moment of visibility was groundbreaking, as it represented a more mainstream recognition of transgender people, something that was relatively rare in the media landscape at that time.
However, despite the public accolades and support, Katie’s journey was not without its challenges. In 2014, she and Arin publicly announced their breakup, a moment that was deeply personal and painful for both of them. At the same time, the couple’s shared experience and visibility helped to highlight the importance of representation and visibility in the transgender community, especially for young people who may not have access to such role models.
In 2014, Katie Hill published her memoir Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition, which offered a raw and introspective account of her experiences growing up as a transgender girl. The book delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of Katie’s journey, addressing themes such as bullying, depression, identity, and the complexities of adolescence.
Rethinking Normal was widely praised for its candidness and accessibility, particularly for its young adult audience. Katie’s willingness to discuss her struggles—whether it be the bullying she endured or the imperfections in her relationships—resonated with readers. As noted in Publishers Weekly, part of what makes Katie’s story so extraordinary is that many of her struggles are "entirely ordinary." She wasn’t just a spokesperson for the transgender community—she was a relatable human being, grappling with the same challenges that many teenagers face, regardless of gender identity.
Critics lauded Rethinking Normal for its honest portrayal of the highs and lows of Katie’s transition, as well as her relationship with Arin. In particular, the memoir emphasized the importance of acceptance, both from others and from oneself. Katie wrote not just to document her story but to serve as a voice for others who might feel isolated or misunderstood.
Rethinking Normal was not only a critical success but also a significant cultural moment. It was one of the first memoirs about being transgender to be marketed directly to a young adult audience, along with Arin Andrews's memoir Some Assembly Required. Both books became important resources for transgender youth and their allies, providing insight into the emotional and practical realities of transition.
The book was recognized by the American Library Association (ALA) and was named to the ALA’s Rainbow List in 2015. It also became a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award and was nominated for the ALA’s Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults in 2017.
However, the memoir and its themes of gender identity have not been without controversy. In recent years, Rethinking Normal has been the subject of censorship efforts in schools and libraries. In 2021, it was one of the books challenged in the North East Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, as part of a broader wave of book removals tied to political pressure. It was also banned in several schools in Utah under the state’s “Sensitive Materials in Schools” law, which has resulted in the removal of many books dealing with LGBTQ+ themes.
Despite these challenges, Rethinking Normal remains an important work, one that continues to educate and inspire new generations of readers. Its impact is especially felt in the context of ongoing debates about gender identity and the rights of transgender individuals.
Being Katie is not just a documentary; it is a testament to the resilience of a young transgender person fighting for acceptance, understanding, and the right to live authentically. Katie Hill’s story is one of transformation—both personal and public—and her memoir Rethinking Normal has become an essential part of the ongoing conversation about transgender rights and representation.
Katie’s journey, from the darkness of childhood bullying and depression to the light of self-acceptance and activism, underscores the importance of support, education, and visibility. While her story is deeply personal, it is also a collective one—shared by many who face similar struggles and triumphs in the quest for gender identity. As the world continues to evolve in its understanding of gender, Katie Hill’s voice remains a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing one’s true self, no matter the obstacles that may arise.
via: vimeo
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