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.
Producer: BBC Three
Release Year: 2015
Synopsis:
Aired on November 23, 2015, on BBC Three, Young, Trans and Looking for Love is a compelling documentary that captures the romantic journeys of young transgender individuals. As part of the channel’s "Breaking The Mould" season, the film focuses on the lives of Claire Green, Arin Andres, and Katie Rain Hill, exploring the unique challenges and triumphs they face in their pursuit of love. Through their stories, the documentary sheds light on the broader experiences of transgender youth and their quest for connection in a world that often marginalizes their identities.
In recent years, representation of transgender individuals in media has gained momentum, yet it remains a complex and often fraught topic. Young transgender people face numerous hurdles, including societal stigma, family acceptance, and personal insecurities, all of which can significantly affect their romantic lives. Young, Trans and Looking for Love stands out as it brings these issues to the forefront, presenting authentic narratives that resonate with viewers, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.
2015,
Claire Green,
English,
Katie Hill,
UK,
Director: George Zuber
Release Year: 2013
Synopsis:
In 2013, George Zuber released Just Gender, a poignant and educational documentary that sheds light on the often misunderstood and marginalized world of transgender individuals. This documentary does more than just explore the complexities of gender identity; it challenges misconceptions, debunks myths, and emphasizes the importance of understanding and empathy for the transgender community. Through a combination of powerful personal interviews, expert insights, and archival footage, Just Gender offers a comprehensive look at the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of those whose gender identity defies societal norms.
Just Gender was created with the intention of fostering understanding about the lives and challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly in the context of their ongoing fight for equal rights. The documentary, narrated by actress and activist Bebe Neuwirth, features a wide range of interviews with transgender people, their families, friends, and experts in various fields. These include social workers, psychiatrists, neurologists, and historians who provide both personal and professional perspectives on the transgender experience.
The film uses a mix of original interviews and archival materials to tell the story. Through these voices, it explores the misconceptions surrounding transgender people, offering insight into the deep divisions between societal views on gender and the lived experiences of transgender individuals. The overarching message of the documentary is clear: those who challenge or seek to change society’s rigid binary view of gender are not less human. Instead, they are deserving of empathy, respect, and the same rights as anyone else.
2013,
Angelica Love Ross,
Cecilia Chung,
Earline Budd,
English,
Jillian Weiss,
Katie Hill,
USA,
Director: Tulsa World
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.
2013,
English,
Katie Hill,
USA,
Director: Michael Clark
Release Year: 2012
Synopsis:
"Losing Luke" (2012), directed by Michael Clark, is a poignant documentary that explores the deeply emotional and transformative journey of a young boy, Luke, who battles with severe depression and eventually makes the life-altering decision to transition into a woman. As Luke embraces her new identity as Katie Hill, the documentary delves into the personal, familial, and social challenges she faces, highlighting the deep human struggle to find acceptance, not only from the world around her but also within herself.
The film’s central focus is on Katie Rain Hill, a transgender woman from Oklahoma who becomes the first transgender individual to graduate from an Oklahoma high school. Katie’s story is one of both immense hardship and remarkable resilience, offering a window into the struggles of young people who experience gender dysphoria and the challenges that arise when they decide to live authentically. It’s a journey marked by familial rejection, societal backlash, and internal turmoil, but also by the courage to fight for a future where she can finally become the person she always knew herself to be.
2012,
English,
Katie Hill,
USA,
