Transamerica!

[Zerbie]

While we're starting threads to discuss movies. . .


So, who here has seen Transamerica?

I just saw it this afternoon with a friend (doing girls' day out fun stuff) and we absolutely LOVED it!!!!!

I was glad she suggested it, as it had fallen off my radar screen, not having gone to see it when it first appeared. And actually, I didn't know she would be open to it. Funny, she suggested it not knowing if I would be, and thanked me for being open to the subject matter. I was like, Omigosh, I am not one to be resistant to this movie, I'm totally into LGBT activism. But I don't really know anything about the "T" in the acronym, so I'm very interested to learn more. I've met like, all of 2 or 3 trans people in my life (that were open with me about it, that is.)

Anyway, we thought it was an excellent movie.
Now, I'm the first to admit I have no firsthand experience with trans issues, but from my perspective I thought the movie rang incredibly true. Both of us loved the character, the script, especially the wonderful way in which the scriptwriters had us belly laughing and roaring with amusement at some of the heaviest issues the movie addressed. It treated them comedically so that you could see the (what's the word?) trans-phobia but it was so over the top you were laughing at the time. And the "trans-phobia" expressed by the main character as she tries to distance herself when in a social situation with other transwomen because she doesn't want to be "found out" by association. I felt for her so much! All in all, a tender movie, and the ending wasn't too Hollywood, it was fairly open-ended.

Did anyone else here love this movie as much as I did? Or have a different perspective?

I've noticed we never talk about trans issues here, I guess cuz most if not all the regulars here are non-trans. But I thought the movie rang true to how I would imagine things might, maybe be. What does anyone else think of it?

[Zerbie]

None o' ya?

It's been out for like, 6 months. C'mon, share!



(Lemming, I'd reply to yours about the Da Vinci code, but, I haven't seen it yet & all I have to say is, I hear the movie reviews suck & that the book was gripping. So DH bought us the book & he's reading it now.)

[RickinNY]

OK, I'll bite, Zerbie - :-)

My partner Leroy and I saw the movie when it was first released and was playing at the neighborhood art theater. We loved it, too! I've been trying to understand more about transgenderism and trans issues, so it was definitely great to see. The congregation I serve as pastor has a transgendered clergywoman attending - I asked her awhile back whether she'd seen the movie yet and was surprised she hadn't heard about it. I hope she goes to see it, since I'd like to hear her take on it.

Peace.

Rick

[awediot]

okay, Limewire is stealing it as I type... I've got all kinds of expectations now... Definately do not understand the T part either. Sometimes think the gay community looks at "them", the same way most of the straight world looks at "us". Not critical or frightened, just a complete loss for words or shared perspective... It would have to be incredibly tough.

Last such themed movie I caught was "Headwig and the Angry Inch."
Very out there, funny and really touching at the same time. Great music...

tic-toc-tic-toc...(takes a couple hours)... ???

[Zerbie]

Yeah, awe - I've wondered about that too. Do you ever feel like the "T" in LGBT was just sorta tacked on? (I remember when it was just LGB, and the B's had a heckuva time getting the B tacked on.)

I wonder if I don't know many trans people because there really aren't very many, or do I perhaps know some who aren't comfortable disclosing - who knows? And does it matter? And frankly, the pronoun issue is so confusing, I get nervous about committing some verbal fauz pas that might upset somebody. Like, the one trans person I'm sorta acquainted with, b/c we are on the same LGBT listserve and run into each other volunteering at LGBT events and stuff, still has a female name attached to the email account. I said something like, "oh I didn't know that email was from you, the name said, ______." And he was like," Oh don't remind me! "
But obviously that's a very comfortable and "out individual." Not all personalities are that comfortable lightly chatting with relative strangers about the big stuff in their lives, right?

[RickinNY]

The most helpful piece of information I received to help me 'get' transgenderism is that the GLB in GLBT all refer to sexual orientation (who we are attracted to) and the T refers to gender identity (persons who perceive one's self as male or female despite physical gender.) That is why it is possible for someone to physically transition from male to female, for example, and still end up in a relationship with another woman. It's because that person was lesbian in orientation despite starting with a male body. I know it can make your head spin, but the T folks among us certainly deserve our respect and support.

[Mia14]

It's a movie on my long list of ones to see... maybe we'l watch it next weekend when my girl's parents aren't around.

I also feel a bit disconnected from the "T" in GLBT and I've never met an openly transgendered person. I read about and saw Angel from the Equality Ride, but didn't get a chance to chat. It's a part of our community that interests me because I'm not as well informed about it, but it definitely gets my respect.

In my coming-out-to-self process, I actually explored and wondered if my attraction to women was as a male or female. For a while, I thought of what name I'd give myself as a boy, dressed in boys' clothing and tried to minimize me curvier parts, and cut my hair really short. Eventually I decided that I'm happy with being a female, but still want to be with other females... although it's still fun sometimes to gender-bend and dress up like a guy just because it's different (and infinitely more comfortable ). I'm not sure if anyone else had a similar experience.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by Mia14

In my coming-out-to-self process, I actually explored and wondered if my attraction to women was as a male or female. For a while, I thought of what name I'd give myself as a boy, dressed in boys' clothing and tried to minimize me curvier parts, and cut my hair really short. Eventually I decided that I'm happy with being a female, but still want to be with other females... although it's still fun sometimes to gender-bend and dress up like a guy just because it's different (and infinitely more comfortable ). I'm not sure if anyone else had a similar experience.

Yeah!! I don't feel that I identify my ME ness as female. Just my body and my expression with it, all of which is VERY femme, and I like that just fine. I feel like the ME in here is both/neither, and also either/or, that is, male and female AND neither male nor female, AND also either male OR female.

Wow - talk about making heads spin! Did I really just type that?!?!?!?!

Mia, I totally get what you said with wondering if your attraction to females was AS a male or female. Considering what I typed above about I feel bisexual mentally as well as orientationally, and you can imagine I wondered the same thing! Here's the clincher, though most of my relationships have been with guys and I'm now "straight" to the eyes of those who know me 3D b/c of my marriage, I've always identified with the gay community SO freakin much.

Well most of my sexual/romantic/infatuation response wiring is homo-erotic. The part of me attracted to females was the female "part" - and most of the time, the part of me attracted to males was the male "part." When seducing men, I always felt like my testosterone level was so high I thought I would grow balls. Never happened though.

[BruceChris]

Zerb: Back in the 70's, when the gender scene was a lot more primitive,
I spent several years dating Her, who had spent Her first 23 years as Him.
(No names here) A lot of the movie scenes were very much deja-vu all over again. She became a VERY attractive woman, and proceeded to do
ALL of the things our parents warned us about, as soon as she was able.
(Not quite like in the movie)

Later, after a few years, she became a career woman, and did what she had to, to take care of her mother, sister, and other family members, many
of whom had significant health issues. I admire her very much.

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[Daniel]

Haven't seen the movie yet, though it is on my list of summer things to do.

However, I have worked with a transgended woman for many years. I remember the first time I saw her and someone told me about her situation- in the theatre everyone is family after about 10 minutes- yes- it's a gossipy group at times.

She's a wonderful person. Caring. Hardworking. At the top of her game. Everyone should be as talented.

[Zerbie]

Cool posts, y'all!!!!!

I've always wondered about how transitioning might impact the singing voice. Daniel, if you know anything about that I'd love to hear it!

B/C, sounds like you thought the movie was relatively on target in how it treated the issues? That was my guess, not really knowing from experience.

[Daniel]

Zerbie,

The person I know is not a singer. She works in another area of the theatre.

The source you want to consult in these matters is titled Voice and Communication Therapy for the Transgender/Transexual Client: A Comprehensive Clinical Guide by Adler, Hirsch, Mordaunt. It contains a wealth of information and a chapter on the specific considerations for the singer.

I haven't, as yet, worked with a student who was transitioning. However, based on what I've learned from the source above, depending on which way one is transitioning, it is a matter of learning to better control the two main aspects of voice: head and chest resonance.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I haven't, as yet, worked with a student who was transitioning. However, based on what I've learned from the source above, depending on which was one is transitioning, it is a matter of learning to better control the two main aspects of voice: head and chest resonance.

try teaching that to 4th graders!

[BruceChris]

In my wonderfully LGBTIA&etc* church, we have a group that meets for
vocal/singing practice, after the service. They call themselves Transvoices, for obvious reasons. Trans men and trans women. I admit I've never thought about asking them what they feel they need to do to train their voices. I've just accepted them as just one more wonderful aspect of our strainge and wonderful community. But then, I've never been able to sing
much beyond "Happy Birthday" myself anyway.

BruceChris

*I have tried to promote the use of the term - Gender Variant - as all inclusive,
but it just doesn't seem to catch on.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by BruceChris

I admit I've never thought about asking them what they feel they need to do to train their voices. I've just accepted them as just one more wonderful aspect of our strainge and wonderful community. But then, I've never been able to sing
much beyond "Happy Birthday" myself anyway.

BruceChris

*I have tried to promote the use of the term - Gender Variant - as all inclusive,
but it just doesn't seem to catch on.

Gender-variant sounds a lot like the Gender Queer phrase I hear bouncing around. First time I heard it, which was my first encounter with the leader of a local trans group (I visited them a few times to catch a video series and learn a little bit about the trans experience), I was like "Okay, whoa, you lost me with "gender queer!!!"

I would totally be asking, or at least wanting to ask, those people in your choir about their experiences singing before, during, and after transition. But I can talk about singing and voices for an hour or more at a time.