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.
Created by: Jeremy Simmons
Release Year: 2005
Synopsis:
TransGeneration is a landmark 2005 American documentary-style reality television series that offers a candid and intimate look into the lives of four transgender college students navigating their academic, social, and personal experiences during the 2004–2005 academic year. Through its portrayal of the diverse challenges and triumphs of these students, the series provides both a personal and political lens on the transgender experience, especially in the context of higher education. Created by Jeremy Simmons and produced by World of Wonder, TransGeneration is a raw, insightful, and at times challenging series that explores the intersection of identity, education, and the complexities of gender transition.
The show’s narrative is structured around four main protagonists—two transgender women and two transgender men—who are each at different stages of their academic careers, with each attending a different university in the United States. Their stories unfold over eight episodes, showcasing the varied aspects of their lives as they juggle the pressures of their academic programs, familial dynamics, and personal transitions. The series offers a profound portrayal of these students’ experiences, providing both an educational resource and a platform for greater visibility for transgender individuals.
2005,
Andrea Gabrielle Gibson,
English,
Marci Bowers,
USA,
Director: Jay Hodges & P J Raval
Release Year: 2008
Synopsis:
Trinidad (2008), a compelling American documentary by filmmakers Jay Hodges and PJ Raval, takes an intimate, unflinching look at the lives of transgender women undergoing sex reassignment surgery in Trinidad, Colorado. The film explores both the personal experiences of transgender individuals as they transition, as well as the historical significance of the town itself, known as the "Sex Change Capital of the World." At its heart, Trinidad centers on Dr. Marci Bowers, a pioneering surgeon who inherited the legacy of Dr. Stanley Biber, the first doctor to offer sex reassignment surgery in the town. Through this lens, the documentary offers a rich, empathetic exploration of gender identity, medical ethics, and the transformative power of self-expression.
The town of Trinidad, located in southeastern Colorado, holds a unique place in the history of transgender health care. It was here that Dr. Stanley Biber, a general surgeon, began performing sex reassignment surgeries in 1969. Trinidad was a small, rural community, yet it would come to play an outsized role in the history of transgender healthcare. Dr. Biber’s decision to perform these surgeries was not without its challenges.
2008,
English,
Laura Ellis,
Marci Bowers,
Sabrina Marcus,
Stanley Biber,
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,
