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: Remy Blumenfeld
Release Year: 2003
Synopsis:
Miriam Rivera’s appearance on Big Brother Australia 2004 is an important chapter in the history of reality television, not only because of her personal story but also because of the cultural shift it symbolized. As the first openly transgender reality TV personality, Rivera's entry into the Big Brother house marked a turning point in the representation of gender and sexuality in the media. Her time on the show also highlighted the complex interplay between public perception, media exploitation, and the realities of being a transgender individual in the limelight.
Miriam Rivera was born on January 20, 1981, in Mexico. From a very early age, she expressed a clear sense of gender identity, feeling that she was a girl despite being assigned male at birth. Rivera’s gender dysphoria was evident as she displayed a preference for stereotypically feminine activities like playing with Barbie dolls, and she often found herself at odds with societal expectations. By the age of 12, she had already begun hormone treatments, signaling her intention to transition and live as a woman.
2003,
Australia,
Big Brother,
English,
Miriam Rivera,
Producer: Remy Blumenfeld
Release Year: 2003
Synopsis:
In the early 2000s, reality television was at its peak, with audiences ravenous for new formats that pushed the boundaries of entertainment. One show that stands out from this era, not just for its unique premise but also for the controversy it sparked, is There’s Something About Miriam. A British reality TV series that aired on Sky1 in 2004, the show involved six men competing for the affection of a 21-year-old Mexican model named Miriam Rivera. The twist? Rivera, who was introduced as a woman, was revealed in the final episode to be a transgender woman. The series not only shocked its contestants but also ignited a firestorm of criticism over issues of gender identity, exploitation, and the ethics of reality TV.
There’s Something About Miriam was the brainchild of British television producer Remy Blumenfeld and was produced by Brighter Pictures, a subsidiary of the global entertainment company Endemol. The concept was simple: six men, ranging in age from 20 to 35, were invited to compete for a £10,000 prize by winning the affection of Miriam Rivera, a stunning Mexican model. The men took part in physical challenges and went on dates with Miriam, believing she was an attractive, cisgender woman.
2003,
English,
Miriam Rivera,
UK,
