The Trans List

This HBO documentary, although it has a small introduction, is almost exclusively the transgendered from all walks of life talking about their personal journeys trying to live out their lives in the body that matches their hearts and minds. Unless you believe in conspiracy theories on this subject, all of those speaking said that from their earliest memories, predating puberty, they just felt wrong in their bodies.

Some were older - in their 40s - 60s. When they sought counseling in the 80s and even in the 90s they were told that their same sex attraction meant that they were gay, since many didn't even consider the fact that "transgendered" was a real identity back then. However, the transgendered knew instinctively that this was not the whole story.

Some lived middle class lives, one guy was an attorney, several had been to prison as a result of addictions they had developed in trying to deal with being transgendered. They then had to deal with all of the problems of living day to day lives with people who are violent and predatory and at the same time dealing with their body issues.

One thing that was not mentioned that would be a big issue in America was exactly how the interviewees managed to pay for the surgery and hormone therapy that finally allowed them to live comfortably in their own skin, but I don't think that was the point. The point was to show the transgendered speaking for themselves rather than having a stereotype do that speaking.

I'd recommend this documentary if it comes your way.