“When someone says to me, ‘What is this film about?’ I say, ‘It’s about human rights, injustice and discrimination,’” Mark Schoen, producer of “TRANS,” said. “And what I’ve learned is the gender spectrum is much wider than I ever thought it was and you know it’s not just transgender. There’s intersex, there’s genderqueer. I think the important thing is that we have to, as a society, let people be their authentic selves, whatever that may be.”
This was the perspective that was openly explored by the Eastern Michigan University community during the Jan. 10 showing of the documentary “TRANS” at the Student Center Auditorium.
Directed by Chris Arnold, the film gave an honest look into the transgender world from their perspective, from the overwhelming obstacles to incredible triumphs of their self-discovery, as well as testimonies from those closest to them.
The cast is brave; their stories are incredibly heartfelt and will leave you with a newfound respect while rooting for their success and happiness.
The inspiration for the film revolved around the story of Lt. Cmdr. Christopher McGinn, who after being discharged from the Navy began transitioning in 2000.
Now as Dr. Christine McGinn, she has become a gem in her community and field from her story of self-discovery, which has been shared with Oprah Winfrey, Anderson Cooper and Dr. Oz.
Her transitioning has brought fulfillment with her partner Lisa, mother of their twin children Eden and Lucas who were fathered by her frozen sperm prior to transitioning.
Founder of Papillon Gender Wellness Center in Pennsylvania specializing in transgender surgery, McGinn has fostered to the needs of many transitioning men, women and children over the years.
There was an intimate and extraordinary glimpse of her performing a vaginoplasty and breast augmentation on two fellow “TRANS” characters Erica and Pam, both in their 50s who suppressed their desire to be who they are in their marriages and are now liberated of their burdens by taking this step.
Audiences were immediately won over by Danann Taylor, a 7-year-old male to female, who from the start of the film confidently identified as a girl much to her parents concern and confusion. She forced out any sense of masculinity by relating to anything feminine from dolls, makeup, costuming and mannerisms.
When teachers voiced their rejections of her behavior to her parents, which they took into consideration, Danann pushed back harder by harming herself by slamming into walls or making nooses to simply get one point across: She didn’t want to be a boy.
In a December 2011 interview with Anderson Cooper, her mother Sarah explained why she and her husband chose to tell their story hoping it would help parents understand and accept their transgender children.
“We just felt alone,” she said. “The materials we had seen that other parents had done really saved us and so we hope that we can, you know, help other people like that.”
Since changing schools, Danann, who is almost 10, is not only improving academically but is showcasing an unbreakable strength to her already witty character.
“Two months ago she was in a playground and four 13-year-old boys were calling another boy a faggot,” Schoen said. “And Danann went up to them, put her finger in their face and said ‘Don’t you ever use that word, it’s hurtful and besides that I’m transgender.’ And I think, Where does that come from?”
Other stories in the film include:
• Justin Avery (known as Chloe) revealed his true identity in high school, but due to an overwhelming anxiety of being socially accepted, she committed suicide.
• Cris is in a lesbian relationship but opens up on camera to his partner about being a female to male and the path he’s taken to be his true self.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance program introduces a slew of transgender individuals who unite every Nov. 20 to honor the lives lost in their community, as well as continue the fight for justice, protection and equality due to the rise of hate crimes.
Some EMU students who attended the screening had a lasting impression of the film and commended those involved for addressing a group of extraordinary people that rarely have the opportunity to show their truth.
“I am so glad that they brought up this issue in such a professional way,” EMU student Silvana Alfaro said. “We can understand what those people go through. It’s not a mystery anymore; it’s a tool that we can use everywhere and make people aware of what transgender people go through.”
EMU student Jess Brecht said she thought the film was well made.
“It outlined the struggles that trans people face, although there are worse fates not mentioned. It’s imperative for people to see this film, because there is so much information circulating that is incorrect that it’s frightening. This movie gives an insight into their lives and their struggles.”
“TRANS” won best documentary at the 2012 QFest film festival in Philadelphia and has continued to be celebrated by the LGBT community across the country.
“The [positive] audience reaction you saw tonight, that’s what we get every time. The general public has not even acknowledged this film. We don’t get into mainstream film festivals, we get rejected by them,” Schoen said. “We don’t have a broadcast deal. We thought we could get this on television. Nothing. Part of an audience that I most wanted to reach, we’re not reaching.”
Before its completion, Schoen had a private screening with a group of viewers that were not emotionally connected, or understanding of this community as a way to crack the surface.
“One guy came up to me after the screening—and this is an exact quote—and said, ‘I didn’t know nothing about this man, but it opened my eyes and it opened my heart.’ And I went, ‘Wow. This is what I want,” Schoen said.
To view the trailer go to www.TransTheMovie.com.
