Narrator Laverne Cox takes us on an animated journey through trans history and resistance nowadays

Every day, people question why we advocate for trans rights. “How many trans people are there, really?” we are asked. Or, “Isn’t this just a new niche issue that serves as a distraction from the issues that really matter?” But trans people have always existed, and our lives have always mattered. And though we have and continue to face rampant discrimination, so too have we built beautiful communities and movements of resistance and love. 

Through a collaborative video from the ACLU, Transparent producer and artist Zackary Drucker, Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox and the creative team of Molly Crabapple and Kim Boekbinder, we are telling the story of trans history and resistance. 

This video comes on the heels of the President’s tweets seeking to ban transgender individuals from military service and in the midst of continued legislative efforts in states like Texas to ban transgender individuals from public restrooms. The consequences of this discrimination from our government are deadly. In one comprehensive survey of over 27,000 transgender individuals in 2015, almost one in three respondents reported living in poverty, over half reported being denied health care related to their gender transition, one of every four indicated that they did not seek medical attention at all due to fear of discrimination and more than three of every four reported experiencing harassment in school because they were trans, ultimately leading to 17% of respondents dropping out of secondary school altogether. 

All of this contributes to a cycle of discrimination and violence that leads to homelessness, incarceration and ultimately, for many — particularly trans women of color — premature death. Indeed, at least 15 trans people, almost all women of color, have been murdered so far this year in the United States. And two of every five American trans people attempt suicide at least once in their life. 

Without accurate information about trans people, our lives and our rich histories, the impulse to push us out of public life will continue. But we continue to tell our vivid, vibrant and critical story of trans resistance. Time marches forward, and so do we.

A Trans History: Time Marches Forward and So Do We

Director Jazmine Smith: "This is a short film about my life, growing up and becoming transgender, discovering myself, my culture and getting married. Hoping to inspire others through beauty, my transition and my story."

I Am Me

Film is a mix of animation, clips from interviews of Lou Sullivan and archival photos and documents that create a story of trans pioneer and icon Lou Sullivan. 

Part of documentary series "We have been around".

Lou Sullivan

Lou Sullivan discusses his mastectomy. Researched clips from: "Female to Gay Male Transsexualism: I-Gender & Sexual Orientation". 

Lou Sullivan: On His Top Surgery 

Lucy Hicks Anderson recounts the story of Lucy Hicks Anderson, a woman of color who thrived during Prohibition and stood her ground to protect her marriage rights after being exposed as a transgender woman. 

Lucy Hicks Anderson

S.T.A.R. tracks the modern transgender rights movement via the activism of Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, participants in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. 

S.T.A.R.

Domenick Flores and two others discuss the discrimination against stud on stud relationships, and advocate against infighting in the stud community.

Stud on Stud: Hot or Not?

Süper Kahraman Interseks/Superhero Intersex

 is a documentary about three intersex people who became activists after their childhood years full of shame, secrecy, and non-consensual surgeries, gained their empowerment and started an organization (İnter Dayanışma Türkiye/Inter Solidarity Turkey) that talks about their experiences. Along with the characters, we also witness the development of recent intersex activism in Turkey.

Superhero Intersex

Black trans elder and legendary activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy describes how everyday personal acts fuel her political activism. Released in conjunction with Trans Day of Resilience/Remembrance, this short, directed by Tourmaline with art by Micah Bazant and animation by Pamela Chavez was produced by Tourmaline, Hope Dector, and the Barnard Center for Research on Women.

The Personal Things

Transgender males are often asked uncomfortable questions about their transition. This video covers some of the things you don't say to trans men if you wish to be considered a respectful ally to the transmasculine community.

Things Trans Guys are Tired of Hearing

 takes its title from the name of "the most exciting political action group in the USA"— transgender people who are defining themselves, demanding their legal rights, and fighting for medical care and against job discrimination.

 gives viewers remarkable insight into the home and work lives of transsexuals from many cultures and countries, including FTMs and those with families and children.

 (NOTE: This release is unfortunately cut short by several minutes.)

Considered by von Praunheim to be the “most fascinating [project] in my long life as a filmmaker,” 

 is a sensitive and carefully crafted portrait that deals with issues openly and honestly. “I was able to earn the trust of many who are often reluctant to be interviewed." 

Transexual Menace 

An animated voyage into the history of the colonization of the Americas: Indigenous Two Spirit people (native gay people) encounter European immigrants.

Two Embrace

The documentary cover an overview of historical and contemporary Native American concepts of gender, sexuality and sexual orientation. This documentary explores the berdache tradition in Native American culture, in which individuals who embody feminine and masculine qualities act as a conduit between the physical and spiritual world, and because of this are placed in positions of power within the community.

Two Spirit People

"It takes a village to raise a child, but if you’re queer, it also takes a village to understand the process of creating one. Through sensitive and vital conversations, many from the perspective of those conceived by sperm donors, Johnson navigates relationships, sperm banks, multiple queer communities and the national health service itself, in an attempt to do family and reproduction differently." - Jay Bernard

Categories

Educational