A random collection of films authored by or about my transgender, intersex sisters, and gender-nonconforming persons all over the world. I watched some of them, and I was inspired by some of them. I met some of the authors and heroines, some of them are my best friends, and I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing some of them. If you know of any transgender documentary that I have not covered yet, please let me know.
Director: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
Release Year: 2016
Synopsis:
In recent years, the visibility of transgender individuals in media has grown significantly, providing an essential platform for voices that have long been marginalized. One landmark contribution to this discourse is The Trans List, a documentary film directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, which aired on HBO in 2016. This poignant film brings together the stories of eleven transgender Americans, each offering unique insights into their lives, identities, and experiences. Through intimate interviews and stunning visuals, The Trans List provides a vital group portrait that illuminates the diversity and complexity of the transgender experience.
The Trans List features an impressive array of individuals, each representing different facets of transgender life. The eleven participants include Buck Angel, Kylar Broadus, Caroline Cossey, Laverne Cox, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Caitlyn Jenner, Amos Mac, Nicole Maines, Shane Ortega, Bamby Salcedo, and Alok Vaid-Menon.
2016,
Bamby Salcedo,
Caitlyn Jenner,
Caroline Cossey,
English,
Janet Mock,
Laverne Cox,
Major Griffin-Gracy,
Monika Kowalska,
Nicole Maines,
Director: Debra F. Simone
Release Year: 2015
Synopsis:
In a world that often imposes rigid definitions of gender, the journey toward self-acceptance can be fraught with challenges, particularly for trans and gender-nonconforming youth. Ascendance: The Angels of Change, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by Debra F. Simone, serves as a beacon of hope for these young individuals. Located in Los Angeles, the Center for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Youth provides a safe haven where young people can explore their identities, receive vital support, and connect with a community that understands their struggles.
The Center was established to combat the pervasive isolation and discrimination faced by trans and gender-nonconforming youth. By creating a welcoming environment, the Center empowers young individuals to embrace their true selves. The vision of Ascendance is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to live authentically, free from fear and prejudice.
2015,
Bamby Salcedo,
English,
Jordyn,
Monika Kowalska,
Director: Dante Alencastre
Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
In the 2013 documentary TransVisible: The Bamby Salcedo Story, filmmaker Dante Alencastre tells the powerful and inspirational journey of Bamby Salcedo, a transgender Latina activist and public speaker, who has become one of the most influential figures in the fight for transgender rights and the empowerment of LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities. Through raw storytelling and vivid personal accounts, the documentary illuminates Bamby’s life, which has been marked by tremendous adversity, resilience, and a passion for social justice.
Bamby Salcedo, born on October 12, 1969, in Guadalajara, Mexico, faced unimaginable challenges early in life. From family rejection to encountering systemic violence in both Mexico and the United States, her story is a testament to survival and the power of reinvention. Today, she is the founder of the TransLatin@ Coalition, a national organization dedicated to advocating for transgender Latinx immigrants, and a widely recognized speaker in the areas of transgender rights, Latinx immigration issues, and health inequalities, particularly concerning HIV.
2013,
Bamby Salcedo,
English,
Maria Roman,
Monika Kowalska,
USA,
Director: Isabel Castro
Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
Crossing Over (2014): A Documentary on Transgender Immigration, Identity, and Resilience
Crossing Over, a powerful 2014 documentary directed by Isabel Castro, presents an intimate look into the lives of transgender Mexican immigrants navigating life in Los Angeles. The film documents the personal and emotional journeys of three transgender women—Francis Murillo, Brenda Gonzalez, and Abigail Madariaga—who risked everything in search of safety, acceptance, and a better life in the United States. In the process, the film exposes the intersection of gender identity, immigration struggles, and the violence faced by transgender individuals in both their home countries and the U.S.
At its core, Crossing Over is not just a story about immigration, but a poignant exploration of survival and resilience. The documentary unfolds the complex realities that transgender immigrants face, with a particular focus on how systemic issues of transphobia, abuse, and lack of legal knowledge complicate their pursuit of asylum and a better future. Through the stories of Francis, Brenda, and Abigail, Castro aims to shed light on a marginalized group within both the immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, offering viewers a humanizing and nuanced perspective on the struggles that define their lives.
2013,
Abigail Madariaga,
Bamby Salcedo,
Brenda Gonzalez,
Francis Murillo,
Mexico,
Spanish,
