Just Call Me Kade

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Available Summary:

"Kade Farlow Collins is a sixteen year old FTM (female to male transgendered person) residing in Tucson, Arizona. Kade's parents maintain a supportive and nurturing relationship to Kade regarding the many challenges facing their teenage child. However, it hasn't always been easy. As Kade's body began to transform during puberty, Kade became nearly suicidal. Realizing that the issue was more complex than Kade being a tomboy or a lesbian, the family searched for information. Through a local support group and the internet, Kade's mother found books and other resources pertaining to transgenderism. Kade and his family agreed to have their lives documented in order to bring awareness to the subject." -YouTube.

Jack's Summary:

In this documentary, the family of Kade are extensively interviewed, as is Kade himself. Kade's mother and grandmother refer to Kade with she/her pronouns and also by his deadname, but have very different perspectives on the legitimacy of his identity. Kade's grandmother is very concerned and distressed by her grandson's journey, whereas Kade's mother is very supportive despite using the incorrect name and pronouns. Kade's father, on the other hand, consistently uses the correct name and pronouns.

Kade's mother describes connecting with trans support groups, and having her worldview reframed by the generosity of trans people who were willing to share their experiences with her. We witness a trans march and get to meet Kade's supportive friends, including two very sweet and open-minded cis boys that stick up for him. We also meet Anna, Kade's girlfriend.

Kade's father details his son’s immense struggle with puberty, describing Kade as “virtually suicidal” in response to his first period. This, he goes on to say, “really cemented and confirmed” the reality of his son’s trans identity. Kade's mother goes with him to a doctor's appointment where he receives an injection as part of his puberty blocker treatment (with each shot costing his family $1100), and holds his hand while he gets the shot. When he is older, she does his testosterone injections. It is apparent that Kade is very close with his mother, regardless of how she refers to him.

Kade's sister is far less accepting, and is quite self-centred about Kade's transition. She complains that she had already "established" herself in school when Kade became a freshman, and how irritated she became by the idea that she might have to "stick up for" Kade. Such a burden!