“Transhood”: HBO Documentary chronicles four transgender or “genderqueer” kids
“Transhood”, directed by Sharon Liese for HBO Documentary Films, BMP Productions and Herizon Productions, will, at least in title, recall Linklater’s 2014 passage “Boyhood” (or even the 2015 French “Girlhood”), and even in technique, being assembled over several years. Linklater’s film, however, makes its likeable Mason a true protagonist and at the end hero. This film is more an exploration, of something that is the way it is, but with some due empathy.
The documentary explores the lives of four transgender (or non-binary in one case) youth of various ages in Kansas City, MO. The location has some meaning to me, as I did graduate school 40 miles away in Lawrence, KS in the 1960s. It has changed.
Leena tried to “come out” as a gay boy before deciding she is a girl and telling her parents, at 11.
Jay, 12, goes to a new school and no one knows he is trans (female-male).
Avery, at 7, is not as aware of the “political” significance of her gender as are her activist parents.
And Phoenix seems what is usually called non-binary, starting as a “boy”, ventures toward the female, and then finally decides he is a boy.
There are plenty of “political” issues to cover. Trump’s ban on transgender in the military (announced in 2017 about the time much of this film was being shot) is mentioned, but not explored in legal detail. (That should not be confused with the "don't ask don't tell" policy for (cis) homosexuals, which was repealed in 2011.)
Of more practical concern is health insurance coverage for hormone shots and possibly surgery later. A female couple parenting one of the kids gets married and puts the treatment on the partner’s health insurance.
There are restroom issues for at least one kid, and the questions over “bathroom bills” in some states (North Carolina was the most notorious) is lightly covered.
The film does present transgenderism a biological event. “Genderqueer” is a little more inclusive. When I was growing up, I demonstrated dyspraxia, which led me to not develop well physically or in some mechanical skills. This is not the same thing and is not related to gender identity, and is not regarded as a disability. It put me in the position, as with military service, where I would be inclined to leave the physical risk taking to others. But that will not always be true with transgenderism or even gender fluidity. Some transgender people have done very well in the military (“Lady Valor”, one was a male Navy Seal before transition) and are good with mechanical or practical things like auto repair and the like.
This film, from 2020, predates the explosive controversy today (2022) over presenting gender issues in lower grades in public schools today and appropriate (possible) social transisition and medical treatment for children who present possible gender dysphoria (as amplified on Twitter by "Libsoftiktok" and video channels like Matt Walsh).
Table:
Name: “Transhood”
Director, writer: Sharon Liese
Released: 2020
Format: 1.85:1
When and how viewed: HBO, 2020/11/12, Cox subscription
Length: 96
Rating: NA (PG-13?)
Companies: HBO Documentary, BMP, Horizon
Link: Time
Stars: ****_
(Posted: Friday, November 13, 2020 at 11 AN EDT)