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.
Executive Producers: Caitlyn Jenner, Gil Goldschein, Jeff Jenkins, Farnaz Farjam, Andrea Metz, Melissa Bidwell
Release Year: 2015
Synopsis:
"I Am Cait" is an American television documentary series that premiered on July 26, 2015, on the E! network. The show chronicles Caitlyn Jenner's life following her highly publicized gender transition, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into her experiences as she navigates her new identity. Over eight one-hour episodes, the series explores the evolving dynamics of her relationships with family and friends, while also emphasizing Jenner's self-appointed role as a role model for the transgender community.
The series was born out of a cultural moment that began with Caitlyn Jenner's groundbreaking interview with Diane Sawyer in April 2015. During this interview, Jenner publicly came out as a transgender woman, prompting a national conversation about gender identity and representation. E! swiftly announced the documentary series, aiming to provide an unfiltered view of Jenner’s transition.
2015,
Caitlyn Jenner,
Candis Cayne,
Chandi Moore,
Courtney Nanson,
Ella Giselle,
English,
Jennifer Finney Boylan,
Kate Bornstein,
Sophia Hutchins,
Zackary Drucker,
Director: Sam Feder
Release Year: 2014
Synopsis:
"Kate Bornstein Is a Queer and Pleasant Danger," directed by Sam Feder, offers an illuminating portrait of Kate Bornstein, a trailblazer in the world of gender theory and LGBTQ+ activism. Bornstein's journey, as chronicled in this documentary, is one of resilience, creativity, and transformation, making her a central figure in discussions about gender and identity.
Bornstein is best known for her groundbreaking book, Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us, which has become a cornerstone text in queer theory. In her work, she challenges the rigid binary concept of gender, paving the way for countless individuals to explore and embrace their identities beyond traditional norms.
At the heart of the documentary lies Bornstein's candid reflection on her life experiences, from her early days as a member of the Church of Scientology to her battles with cancer. The film delves into the dualities of her existence: the activist and the artist, the public figure and the private individual. Feder captures this dichotomy with a blend of humor, poignancy, and raw honesty.
Bornstein's artistic expressions—whether in her performances or written works—serve as vehicles for her activism. They invite audiences to confront their perceptions of gender and identity, encouraging a dialogue that is both necessary and urgent. The documentary not only showcases her vibrant performances but also the painful realities she faced, such as alienation from some segments of the LGBTQ+ community.
2014,
English,
Kate Bornstein,
Monika Kowalska,
USA,
Director: Chris Durant
Release Year: 2011
Synopsis:
"Genderf*kation: A Gender Emancipation," directed by Chris Durant, is an essential documentary that takes viewers on a profound journey through the lives of six individuals grappling with their gender identities in a society that often struggles to accept variations beyond the traditional binary. Set against the backdrop of Minnesota, the film invites us to explore the intricate interplay of social, religious, and political forces that shape the experiences of Trans, Queer, and Gender variant individuals. Through powerful storytelling and candid interviews, Durant aims to illuminate the complexities of gender identity, pushing against stereotypes and historical ideologies that perpetuate social Gender Dysphoria.
At the heart of "Genderf*kation" is a commitment to shedding light on the experiences of those who identify outside conventional gender norms. The documentary features six compelling narratives, each unique yet interconnected by shared struggles for identity, acceptance, and understanding.
2011,
Jendeen Forberg,
Kate Bornstein,
Monika Kowalska,
Director: Susan Marenco
Release Year: 1993
Synopsis:
Adventures in the Gender Trade (1993) is a groundbreaking documentary by Susan Marenco that explores the fluidity and complexity of gender through the life and work of Kate Bornstein, a transsexual lesbian playwright, author, and gender theorist. Interspersed with Bornstein’s own performances and satirical play, Hidden: A Gender, the film provides a kaleidoscopic view of the transgender experience and the critique of rigid gender norms. It features a diverse range of individuals, including poet Pat Califia, performance artist Justin Bond, sociologist David Halperin, and male-to-female transsexual Jack Ireland, all of whom contribute to the broader conversation about gender identity and expression.
At the heart of Adventures in the Gender Trade is Bornstein’s candid and often humorous exploration of her journey from being a man in a world that demanded conformity to a liberated, gender-nonconforming transsexual lesbian. The documentary is more than just a personal story; it’s a vibrant critique of society's narrow definitions of gender and the ways in which these definitions fail to capture the fullness of human identity. Bornstein, alongside her collaborators, humorously and intelligently challenges these ideas while presenting a spectrum of gender expressions that are often overlooked or misunderstood.
1993,
English,
Justin Vivian Bond,
Kate Bornstein,
Monika Kowalska,
USA,
Director: T. Joe Murray
Release Year: 2006
Synopsis:
In the documentary "Almost Myself" (2006), filmmaker T. Joe Murray embarks on a remarkable journey to explore the complexities of transgender identity, centering the film around an unusual and poignant story that challenges conventional assumptions about gender transition. The film is a rare and deeply human exploration of the transgender experience, featuring key figures such as Judy Kirchner, Rosalyne Blumenstein, Marci Bowers, Holly Boswell, and Kate Bornstein. By focusing on a wide range of perspectives, "Almost Myself" takes a compassionate and unflinching look at the struggles, challenges, and joys faced by transgender individuals, while also highlighting the diversity of experiences within the transgender community.
The origin of "Almost Myself" is grounded in an intriguing discovery. While conducting web research for a potential project, Murray stumbled upon a website titled “Help Me Reverse My Sex Change dot ORG.” The website, created and operated by Judy Kirchner, a transgender woman, became the central focus of Murray’s documentary. Kirchner had transitioned from male to female in her twenties and had lived for nearly two decades as a woman. However, as she approached her 40th birthday, she made the controversial and deeply personal decision to reverse her sex change.
This decision, and the website’s call for financial help to reverse the surgery, set in motion Murray's journey into the transgender community. The very existence of the website immediately piqued Murray’s curiosity, raising numerous questions: Why would someone undergo a gender transition and later decide to reverse it? What does it mean to live as one gender and then seek to return to another? The documentary was thus born out of a desire to understand this decision and, by extension, the broader transgender experience.
2006,
English,
Holly Boswell,
Kate Bornstein,
Marci Bowers,
Monika Kowalska,
Rosalyne Blumenstein,
USA,
