TransGeneration Documentary Series, produced by Sundance Channel

Cover:

Bibliographic Information:

Title: TransGeneration

Producer: Sundance Channel

ASIN: B000CRR3I8

Studio: Docurama

Copyright: 2006

Reader’s Annotation:

How do teens deal with issues of gender identity in addition to regular pressures of college?

Plot Summary:

Four transgender college students, TJ, Raci, Lucas, and Gabbie, discuss their respective gender identities, how they came to realize they are transgender.  TJ and Lucas are female to male, while Raci and Gabbi are male to female.  Each student explains how their particular college experience is unique.  They explore complex issues from hormones to gender reassignment surgery, as well as how their families are dealing with their transitions.

Critical Evaluation:

Shot in traditional documentary style, this series captures real world moments, as well as individual "confessional" style moments with each cast member.  We see each of the 4 cast members in their school environments as well as they home or family environments, and the series shows aspects of each individual person's journey.  For example, we see Gabbie moving towards her gender reassignment surgery, her journey through the surgery, and her recovery.  We see how this impacts her both at school and within her family.

The documentary series focuses on how all aspects of each cast member's life come together to tell their story, not just limiting the story to gender identity.  For example, Raci is not only trans, she is hearing impaired, Filipina, and poor.  The intersection of all of these qualities is explored when telling Raci's story, and how her gender identity impacts or is impacted by all these other things.  For example, her poverty status was preventing her from getting hormones from the doctor, so she was buying them on the street, which can be very dangerous.

One of the weaker aspects of the writing involved the character development.  The only character I felt at all connected to was Cassie, which makes sense, since she is the focus of the book.  I felt that Sammy could have been better developed, as he is the force that really drives all of Cassie’s actions.  Some of the secondary characters were somewhat bland, particularly the soldiers. With their code names, I frequently got some of those characters mixed up.

The production values on the series are good.  The series is shot in a way that looks good; there is obviously quality editing done, and professional looking title sequences.  The sound aspect of the show is also of a high quality, both in terms of the sound recording and the accompanying music.

Author Biography:

Not applicable

Genre(s): 
Series, Documentary, LGBTQIA

Curriculum Ties:

Not applicable

Booktalk Ideas:

A discussion on gender identity as a spectrum.

A discussion about normal teen stressors can be impacted for teens who are trans, queer, or non-binary

          

Reading Level:

Not applicable

Interest Age: 

14 and up

Challenge Issues: Could be challenged based on adult language, teen sexuality, and frank discussion of transgender topics.

  If this series were challenged I would:

·         Listen to the concerns of the person raising the challenge

·         Consult the library’s collection development policy

·         Explain how this work meets a library need based on the collection development policy 

·         Consult YALSA’s Dealing with Challenges to Young Adult Materials

·         Consult reviews on VOYA, Amazon, Common Sense Media, and Kirkus

·         Discuss any awards or notable commendations the book received

·         Explain the library’s commitment to intellectual freedom as discussed in the ALA Library Bill of Rights

·         Give the patron the procedure for a formal challenge should they seek to pursue it

Why was this series selected:

Even though this series is over a decade old, I think it still can add value to a library collection.  As trans rights move more and more to the forefront, positive depictions of trans people in media is vital.  This series is a very frank, honest discussion of what these 4 college students experience in terms of gender identity and its impact on all aspects of their lives.  There are not a lot of ways for teens to access such honest stories, and I think this could help empower so many trans teens.  It is important that our collections have a variety of materials, so movies, series, and shows certainly have a place in a young adult collection.  This documentary series does not sugar coat anything, and it also examines intersectionality in terms of race, socioeconomic status, disability, and gender identity.