Documentary: Taboo: Transgender

1.       

This documentary focuses on transgender roles in all parts of the world and the taboo’s that societies place on the transgender community. The first section of the documentary focuses on a man named Lauren. Lauren was born a woman and has transitioned into a man. He talks about how people are afraid of transgenders because some people believe that those who transition are defying the laws of nature.  Lauren is a photographer and he hopes that his photos of people who are transitioning or who have transitioned will help the Trans community be more accepted in society.  

The second section of the documentary focuses on Thailand’s Kathoeys or “Ladyboys”. These are men who dress up as women and look more feminine. Ladyboys really are quite prominent in Thailand and are seemingly accepted by society, not only in the cities but in the countrysides as well. It seems as though it is the relaxed attitude of acceptance and tolerance in Buddhism that keeps people from shunning their lifestyles, although many other Buddhist countries are not as willing to accept a ladyboy living their lives in public. Though Kathoey continually face discrimination they are gaining acceptance and have made themselves a very distinct part of the Thai society, they still have not yet attained equal status with those who are not transgender. Though Kathoey have enjoyed some prestige in the past they still face many struggles in everyday life. Many have found success in the entertainment business or in fashion. Many dance cabaret or accept lower level work so that they are able to live their lives out in the open. The documentary follows one Kathoey named Nang Tun, she became accepted by fighting in the national sport in Thailand which is a mix between boxing and martial arts. She was a great fighter and won many medals and trophies. She would wear make up in the ring and she would kiss her beaten opponents after her fight.

The third section of this documentary focused on another group of transgenders called the Fa’afafine. They live in Samoa and are considered a third gender on the island. It is a mistake to attribute a Western interpretation and mislabel the fa'afafine as "gay" or "homosexual". In Samoa, the people claim that there is no such thing as being "gay" or "homosexual." Fa'afafine, as a third gender, have sexual relationships almost exclusively with men who do not identify as Fa'afafine, and sometimes with women. This third gender is so well accepted in Samoan culture that most Samoans state that they have friendship relationships with at least one Fa'afafine. Traditionally Fa'afafine follow the training of a women's daily work in an Aiga. Many Fa’afafine stated that they "loved" engaging in feminine activities as children, such as playing with female peers, playing female characters during role play, dressing up in female clothes, and playing with female gender-typical toys. This is in contrast the women who stated that they merely "liked" engaging in those activities as children. Some fa'afafine recall believing they were girls in childhood, but knew better as adults. There is little to no ridicule of or displeasure with a biologically male child who states he is a girl in Samoa. For instance, one study showed only a minority of parents (20%) tried to stop their fa'afafine sons from engaging in feminine behavior. Being pushed into the male gender role is upsetting to many fa'afafine. A significant number stated that they "hated" masculine play, such as rough games and sports, even more than females did as children.

The fourth section and last section of this documentary focused on the sex-reassignment surgery capital of the world, Trinidad, Colorado. It followed the story of a couple who were both transgenders. A biological male who is transitioning to a female; Linda, is coupled up with another man; Bill, who is trying out the possibility of transitioning to a female also. the point of this section was what was going to happen once Linda completely transitioned and what will happen with Linda and Bills relationship if Bill decides to transition to a woman.

2.

            The storytelling technique used in this documentary was by using others stories to express the story. The film followed many people’s stories, there were about 5 different people who were spotlighted in the film. The documentary used their own film and didn’t use any other footage.  The film used experience and not statistics, to show the more emotional side of the transgender communities around the world.

3.

            This documentary did not use media as a specific source of information.

4.

            Because the documentary did not use media as a specific source they relied almost entirely on interviews and experiences of those who were being portrayed.

5.

            I believe that there may be some bias in the film, but the bias isn’t negative. The filmmakers showed the transgender community for what they are, human beings. They did not put down or trash the Trans community in anyway. So they were bias towards the positive side of being transgender and not the negative side which is against it.

6.

            I can take away a lot of information from my documentary. Before watching it I had no idea how many cultures have transgender communities, and how many were accepted. It was really interesting to hear that in some communities becoming transgender was highly accepted and that it was very common and parents wanted their boys to become Trans.