Release Year: 2004
Synopsis:
Released in 2004, Have No Fear is a documentary that captures the life and legacy of Nicole McRory, a transgender cabaret host, singer, and entertainer based in San Francisco. The film provides an intimate portrait of a woman who, despite facing overwhelming challenges, defied societal expectations and forged a vibrant career that became an essential part of the Bay Area nightlife scene. Through humor, music, and raw honesty, Nicole’s story serves as a testament to resilience, individuality, and the refusal to be silenced, even in the face of death.
Nicole McRory, born Colin McRory in Hartford, Connecticut, had always felt like an outsider. From a young age, she recognized that something about her body didn’t align with her inner identity. Early memories—such as observing her mother’s naked body and thinking, “I want that”—foreshadowed a lifelong struggle with gender dysphoria. Growing up as a straight male, Nicole felt detached from her assigned gender and engaged in cross-dressing, which she later described as a way to feel more "like a lady." Though she was married twice—one marriage a disaster, the other a blissful experience—her journey to discovering her true self would only begin in earnest later in life.
