TransGeneration

This film depicts transsexuality through the lives of several college-age transsexuals, including Gabbie and Raci. Gabbie is not particularly feminine and is attracted to women. She is majoring in computer science. Raci on the other hand is strikingly feminine and a liberal arts (non science major). They are two transsexuals.

What do I mean? Before viewing this film, I would encourage viewers to read a book called The Man Who Would Be Queen by renowned psycholigist J. Michael Bailey. Bailey's typology has direct relevance to this film. Read his book, and compare Bailey's typology to what you see in this film.

Gabbie and Raci are so different. Raci is a girl, mostly. Gabbie is a boy who wants to be a girl. It is as if Michael Bailey wrote the script for this. It would be awesome if Gabbie would reveal her innermost desires. But she probably won't. :(

The most interesting aspect of this documentary is the contrast between Gabbie and Raci. Although both are male-to-female transsexuals, they are utterly different. Gabbie is a computer geek, who is not very convincing as a woman. She likes girls. She may have fetishistic interests (in masochism). It does not seem as if she is a woman trapped in a man's body.

In contrast, Raci is both a very attractive woman (for a genetic male) and naturally feminine. She likes guys.

They seem like different species, because they are. No one can understand this phenomenon without knowing about Blanchard's theory of two types of male-to-female transsexualism. And autogynephilia. A good place to start is Bailey's The Man Who Would Be Queen. Lots of people who are trying to hide these facts from you. Thwart them.

When i first watched this movie, it was heart warming because it shows the inner side of young adults trying to find their way in society as outcasts. It is a bit inspirational to see that despite odds they choose to be themselves in a world that doesnt fully welcome them. I also think that people should be happy in their lives. If people need to change their sex or whatever needs changed, being happy is important in life.

Everyone has only one life to live and we all should make the best of it and be happy. i appricate their efforts in making this movie so public and helps bring transgender issues to the table and hopefully help realize that transgender people are still humans with feelings that need love and care too. I think people find the greastest success in life when they are happy. i hope these four people find success in their lives and i hope others are inspired in them and find success too.

TransGeneration is an eight-part documentary produced by World of Wonder productions, in association with the Sundance and LOGO channels. It follows the lives of four college students through the 2004-2005 school year.

1. Lucas: FTM (female to male), Smith College, Neurobiology senior.
2. Gabbie, MTF (male to female), University of Colorado at Boulder, Computer Science sophomore.
3. Raci, MTF (male to female), University of California in Los Angeles, liberal arts/drama freshman.
4. T.J., FTM (female to male), Michigan State University, Master's candidate in Student Administration.

This was a captivating look at the successes and difficulties of four individuals struggling through the challenges of college while coming to terms with their own gender identity and sexuality. While some storylines are more compelling than others, all were engaging and offer insightful take-home lessons without hammering us over the head. The directors and producers should be commended for representing them as real and 3-dimensional. This is due in part to their willingness to show each student's warts, foibles, neuroses, and occasional self-absorption as well as their bravery, authenticity and intelligence despite a society that (sadly) largely disapproves of those who don't fit within the mainstream. Yet the series is never overly sentimental. I came out of it with a deeper feeling of empathy, understanding and respect.

Regardless, even the most closed-minded viewer must give these kids credit for putting themselves out there for our scrutiny. They have normal collegiate problems: grades, finances, friendships and relationships, but they're also coping with epic psychological struggles in a largely homophobic and closed-minded society. Bravo to them for not only facing these challenges, but for their willingness to make these intensely personal struggles public in an effort to edify us and further open our hearts.

Credit should also be given to the families and friends who agreed to have their own emotional journeys publicly documented. They run the gamut between intolerance and denial to unwavering love, understanding and acceptance. T.J.'s mother's stalwart refusal to discuss (let alone support) his transition lies in stark contrast to Gabbie's grandparents' sincerity and unconditional support. Gabbie's situation is unique, as she is one of the youngest patients to undergo gender reassignment surgery. Her parents and siblings have to come to terms with her new identity, but her grandparents' supportive, gentle compassion is wonderfully heartwarming. Despite being retired clergy and active in a Christian church community, we see unexpectedly delightful and refreshing enlightenment; unfortunately rare in our current socio-political climate. A particularly moving scene happens at a church service when an elderly friend, Helen, gently reaches out to Gabbie and offers articulate, genuine support and acceptance.

The same can be said of Stacey, an extraordinary woman who becomes involved with T.J. While T.J. wrestles with the sad inevitability of having to return to Cyprus and a family/community which will not accept (and as a result, hinders) his transition, Stacey and her parents starkly contrast as open-minded, gentle, loving people who see beyond labels and love the person within. It's therefore difficult to watch T.J. grow emotionally distant from Stacey while he wrestles with his desire to transition versus an external mandate to return as a female, lest he potentially devastates his mother and sister.

However, the directors and producers fall short in consistently protecting the identity of each individual. I don't know how the students feel about it, but I fear that they might experience negative backlash resulting from post-production carelessness. I deliberately left this criticism vague, as I don't want to draw attention to specific examples, but they do exist. Hopefully Lucas, Gabbie, Raci and T.J. are cool with it.

The epilogues left me with only partial resolution (c'est la vie-I realize that life isn't always neatly resolved), but I longed for more recent updates. Each journey had unique dangers and challenges; they were documented so efficiently that I wanted reassurance that they're ok. There's sufficient resolution that Lucas will be a huge asset to the scientific world and has the support of his extended family and friends. Thankfully, Raci has overcome her anxiety about being openly transsexual and is now safely receiving hormones and has sought out a wider support network. Gabbie also has widespread support of family and friends; hopefully now that her SRS is complete, she will concentrate on maturing and learning reciprocity. Unfortunately, T.J.'s story is left achingly unresolved, as he is unable to begin hormone therapy and must return to his home country, without his support network. Sadly, his relationship with Stacey ended, and after graduation he must return to a family and community situation that will inevitably prolong his anguish.

T.J., your return to Cyprus is the USA's loss. May you eventually find the peace and fulfillment you seek, and may your journey be painless.

The TransGeneration documentary was marvelously executed. I hope both the series and the students receive the accolades they truly deserve.