Robin Jones, a trans male jazz musician played by American trans actor Scott Turner Schofield, supports the female protagonist as she tries to become a conductor. De Dirigent (The Conductor) Film 2018 België (Belgium), Netherlands, United States of America Robin Jones, a trans male jazz musician played by American trans actor Scott Turner Schofield, supports the female protagonist as she tries to become a conductor. Trailer. Available Summary: Antonia Brico dreams of becoming a conductor, but she isn't taken seriously because she is a woman. -IMDb. Jack's Summary: The Conductor begins in 1926, which is important context to keep in mind when discussing this film's depiction of a trans man, and the language he uses when discussing his identity. Robin Jones is introduced as a man, and is non-disclosing with few exceptions. He works as a bass player in a performing troupe that also includes Miss Denise, a "female impersonator". He offers Antonia work in the troupe, as a pianist, after encountering her job-seeking on the street, and later opens his home to her when she needs somewhere to stay. Robin supports her several times as the movie progresses, including when she is blackmailed by a piano teacher who attempted to sexually assault her, and overall allies himself with her cause; proving that women can be conductors and musicians, just like men. Robin wearing a chest-flattening garment. Miss Denise tells Antonia that Robin wears a corset beneath his clothes due to a back injury; in truth, Robin wears a corset (or perhaps a girdle) in order to flatten his chest and pass as a man. While hugging Robin, Antonia touches his chest and asks, "Does it hurt?" Robin replies, "Every day." Robin in feminine clothing. When Antonia starts an all-women symphony, Robin attends wearing a dress and a wig, and is unbound beneath his clothes. Antonia assumes that Robin is dressing up like Miss Denise does, and asks whether this is Robin's way of supporting her. Robin, gesturing to his chest, says, "I'm not dressed as a woman... and these are real," in an unsteady voice. "You never were in an accident," Antonia realises aloud, and Robin replies, "Unless you count being born a girl." Antonia asks Robin whether he wanted to be a man, and Robin replies, "I wanted to be a musician," later adding, "I think I'd rather stay who I was," expressing a preference to continue in his male role. For the rest of the film, he continues to present masculinely and be known as Robin. Robin clearly does not have the language to explain his trans experience, but knows that he adores music and prefers to live as a man, even as Antonia (and other female musicians) prove that women can be musicians and conductors as well, and he actively supports them in this mission. If "Robin" were just the crossdressing persona of a woman determined to succeed, she could cast off that persona and resume being Roberta, but he does not... because he is not pretending to be Robin, he is Robin. I found this to be an interesting and compelling depiction of trans maleness in a character who had neither the language nor the community to explain being a trans man, and I'm very glad this character was played by a trans actor. In this interview , Scott Turner Schofield explained how dysphoria-inducing it was to wear a prosthetic chest for hours during filming, describing it as "painful" but "worth it." According to the article, he had difficulty getting through the scene in one take. I can't imagine going through that myself, so he's certainly got my respect. Beyond Robin, this film seemed quite boring to me, but that likely just reflects my lack of interest in historical romance/drama as a genre. In general, this film includes period-typical misogyny, anti-LGBT+ attitudes, and sexual harassment from Antonia's piano teacher. I did skip around a bit, due to the afore-mentioned boredom, so I may have missed scenes/themes which might be either interesting or confronting for viewers. A love interest aggressively grabbing Antonia's arm after she has specifically said, "stop," and forcing a kiss on her, is framed as a romantic gesture, and is followed by a montage of romantic moments involving the pair. This uncritical normalisation of assault is ploddingly similar to a long history of scenes where unconsenting, unwilling people happily submit to intimacy once they're forced into it, furthering the idea that those who resist intimacy just need to be pushed harder. Given that this is a film which centrally explores feminism and female empowerment, I found this moment particularly disappointing. Narratively, the fact that the fiercely progressive Antonia adores this pushy misogynist over the fiercely progressive Robin... well, it makes no sense. The overarching romantic plot feels forced. That being said, I understand that Antonia was based on a real conductor, Antonia Louisa Brico, so perhaps the filmmakers didn't wish to stretch the truth somehow by having her end up in a relationship with a trans man (although I have no idea how factual the rest of the movie is). Even aside from how nice it would've been to see Robin as the main love interest, from a representation standpoint, I think the film would've made more sense if it had been taken in that direction. Entry last updated: 24 Feb 2026

Several American trans men are interviewed in this documentary, including Jamison Green, Masen Davis, Yavante Thomas-Guess, and Cris Salamanca. Overall, while this film has a lot to offer in terms of hope and community knowledge, it is also outdated and alarmist in some respects and should be approached with caution. TRANS Documentary 2012 United States of America Several American trans men are interviewed in this documentary, including Jamison Green, Masen Davis, Yavante Thomas-Guess, and Cris Salamanca. Overall, while this film has a lot to offer in terms of hope and community knowledge, it is also outdated and alarmist in some respects and should be approached with caution. Trailer. Available Summary: TRANS is an extraordinary documentary feature about men and women, and all the variations in between. It is about the transgender community, perhaps the most misunderstood and mistreated minority in America and around the world. Inspired by the incredible story of Dr. Christine McGinn and her work as a transgender surgeon, TRANS provides an up-close and very personal vision into the lives, loves, and challenges of a remarkable cast of characters of all ages and from all walks of life. -Apple TV. Jack's Summary: I have a lot of complicated feelings about certain interviews and scenes in this film. Warnings aplenty. There are some great interviews with Masen Davis and Jamison Green, two trans male pioneers, and I liked excerpts of a speech that Zander Keig gave as part of his phalloplasty educational talk. I wish we knew more about Yavante Thomas-Guess, another trans man who is interviewed as well. You can view the trailer above but, as a sign of what the rest of the documentary offers, you should prepare yourself for transphobia, misgendering, and upsetting visuals. There are also discussions of self harm, genital mutilation, sexual violence, murder, torture, suicide, and firearm-related deaths. Overall, this is quite an outdated documentary, although parts of it are quite valuable and touching. The most anger-inducing scenes, for me personally, were interviews with the family of a trans woman who killed herself after enduring their intolerance. Far from holding themselves accountable, some of the interviewees seem to shamelessly enjoy the limelight, and see nothing wrong with misgendering her after death. Other family members seem genuinely regretful. WARNING: Unsafe chest binding. Learn more about chest binding here. One of the documentary subjects, a young trans man named Cris, double-binds in order to flatten his chest as much as possible. This is potentially very dangerous. In order to approach chest binding with a harm minimisation approach (noting that binding will not be safe for everyone regardless), only one binder should be worn; it should have shoulder straps, a looser back, and a stiffer front, so that your chest is flattened in a way which alleviates pressure on your ribcage as much as possible. Double-binding increases the pressure around your entire ribcage and eliminates any benefit from how they are designed. The fact that Cris is shown binding this way is not necessarily the issue. Profiling how documentary subjects live day-to-day has value, and acknowledging that many of us are driven to unsafe binding due to dysphoria is important. The issue is that no warning or caveat is offered, explaining to viewers that they should not follow Cris's example. That is irresponsible filmmaking. Furthermore, a wrap-around binder is shown, which is functionally the same as using bandages. Entry last updated: 27 Feb 2026

Vincent Lamarre, a Canadian trans man, is filmed as he transitions while actively serving in the Canadian Forces. Others, including his mother and trans male friend, are also interviewed. He is shown using a chest binder, open-chest binding, and having a mastectomy. Ti-gars (One of the Guys) Documentary 2018 Canada Vincent Lamarre, a Canadian trans man, is filmed as he transitions while actively serving in the Canadian Forces. Others, including his mother and trans male friend, are also interviewed. He is shown using a chest binder, open-chest binding, and having a mastectomy. Watch. Available Summary: Vincent Lamarre enrolled in the Canadian Army as Virginie. When he came out to his superiors, he was surprised to find that they backed him unconditionally, as did his family. This documentary relates to Vincent's sex transition, with the support of his chain of command. What defines a man? His testosterone? His penis? His warrior spirit? The way people look at him? -Vimeo (translated). Jack's Summary: This documentary is shockingly refreshing in its depiction of a cis mother’s relationship with her trans son, Vincent. I was surprised and delighted, actually, by how involved she was with his j ourney. The only point of conflict that is ever discussed is an assumption Vincent had made, when he was a teenager, that he had been born intersex and had secretly been operated on by his parents. With no information about being trans, and in response to gender dysphoria, he built up that fiction in his mind as an explanation of why he felt like a boy but had to live as a girl. In retelling the story, he apologises for the resentment this assumption caused, and his mother laughs and says that she understands. It’s clear they’ve moved past that difficult time of non-communication. Vincent’s relationship with his grandmother is also very positive. He shows his mother STPs, packers, and prosthetics that he uses, and explains to her the ways in which he has sex. It’s a very open and honest dialogue, one that very few people (cis or trans) have with their parents. Vincent’s best friend, another trans man, is also interviewed. He provides insight into life, as a parent who has given birth to three children, and how that impacted his dysphoria and gender certainty. I would definitely recommend this documentary. One caveat, though, is that it’s a very binary perspective on transitioning. This does not bother me in the slightest, in terms of my own personal journey. I empathised with almost everything that Vincent said, particularly his comment that the goal of transitioning is to pass. For me, yes, that was (and is) true. But that is not the case for everybody, so be prepared if you are a trans or gender-diverse person for whom passing is not the goal, or even achievable. That said, I still feel that this documentary matters, for those of us with similar journeys to Vincent. This is a film partly about the military, but I found it easier to watch than TransMilitary , probably because there is less focus on the military itself as the film goes on. If you are entirely comfortable with the military, this distinction will obviously not matter to you. WARNING: Unsafe chest binding. Vincent exerts himself while wearing a chest binder. Learn about why that can be unsafe here. Entry last updated: 26 Feb 2026

Alex Dempsey, a trans male police officer played by Canadian non-binary actor Mae Martin, moves to his pregnant wife's hometown and quickly realises that it is a deeply troubled place. Wayward Show 2025 Canada Alex Dempsey, a trans male police officer played by Canadian non-binary actor Mae Martin, moves to his pregnant wife's hometown and quickly realises that it is a deeply troubled place. Trailer. Available Summary: Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. After an escape attempt from an academy for troubled teens, two students, Leila and Abbie, join forces with a newly-appointed local police officer, Alex, in unearthing the town's dark and deeply rooted secrets. -Wikipedia. Jack's Summary: The relaxed trans characterisation in this show is probably one of its best qualities. I also liked the show's premise and spookiness, before it got too bogged down and (dare I say it) wayward. My main complaints with the show would be its writing, pacing, and ending, but you can read general reviews to get more information about that stuff. I still think it's worth a watch, In summary, the show has two major storylines; teenagers Leila and Abbie trying to escape a youth institution, and Alex investigating the institution (and its surrounding town) from the outside, after moving there with his pregnant wife, Laura. The pair are unofficially married, since they cannot legally be spouses. This article addresses why Martin, who is non-binary and uses they/them, chose to play a trans man: "The show’s set in 2003, and I think there wasn’t a lot of fluency around non-binary identity then, and not a lot of they/thems," Martin noted, adding that playing a man "just made sense" to them. "Who knows where I’ll end up on that spectrum? But it felt pretty natural to me as an actor. More natural than it would’ve been to play a woman." The first dialogue we get specifically focusing on Alex's gender identity is when his new colleague Dwayne, a police officer working at the Tall Pines station, tells him, "It's a small town," and after seeing Alex's nervous reaction, clarifies, "But not a small town mentality, if you're worried. Tall Pines is actually a pretty liberal place... You and Laura won't get any stick. You'll be one of the guys." Alex using excessive force. In the same conversation, we get a hint that Alex is not a particularly good person, although it takes the show a long time to circle back to this fact and flesh it out. When Dwayne asks about an incident in Alex's past, Alex nervously insists that what he did was "by no means excessive force," while also admitting that his conduct was "not ideal". This sets the scene, albeit in a vague way which isn't expanded upon for a while, for Alex indeed using excessive force a few episodes later, straddling a subdued man and beating him unconscious. Alex is a walking, talking example of police brutality, but the show doesn't properly lean into it until the second-last episode, with this dialogue: ALEX: My dad was violent. I used to stand there and watch it happen. Watch him beat her up, and... I should've killed him. DWAYNE: Okay. So, what, you said, "Next time, I won't freeze like that again". Right? "I'll be ready, I'll act." So, you put on a uniform and bust some skulls? ALEX: Yeah. This aspect of Alex's character, and the violence which hides beneath his jokey, pleasant exterior, felt more consistent and understandable during my rewatch. When introducing Alex to his new colleagues, his superior is a little awkward when saying, "him," clearly not used to having a trans person around. It's subtle, it's realistic, and I appreciated the non-hostile, clumsy interaction. Alex is more focused on the strangeness he's already noticed in the town, including a terrified runaway from the institute, and the other officers are more focused on hiding the town's secrets. No time for gender discourse when you're dealing with a generations-strong cult. Laura and Alex. Later in this first episode, we see Alex shirtless, revealing that he has had top surgery. He then lays with Laura in bed. She strokes his face and remarks, "There's still no stubble." Alex says, "Yeah, I know... Maybe I should up my dose," referring to his testosterone. After a moment, he jokes, "Bet you never imagined the father of your kid looking like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone. " His wife smiles and replies, "Alex, everything I ever imagined, you blew it right out of the water." I loved this gentle interaction. Plenty of trans men struggle with testosterone not changing things as expected; facial hair not growing fast enough, voice not deepening as desired, etc. It was nice to witness this interaction, showing a woman in love with a trans man who is experiencing such struggles. The show then largely moves on, focusing on the town and its dark secrets. Even when Alex physically and verbally fights with townspeople and cult leaders, his gender is not brought up. His aggression, history of excessive force, and intergenerational trauma is the focus, consistent with the cult's beliefs about severing emotional ties to fix weaknesses. He is treated like everyone else. Everyone has trauma that the cult can latch onto. Leila and Alex. The most awkward commentary on Alex's gender identity comes from Leila. Alex comes across her as she is trying to find the institute, intending to rescue her friend Abbie. Upon hearing that Alex has only recently moved to the town, Leila scoffs and says, "Yeah, I figured you weren't from here. Queer people who grow up in small towns generally get the hell out." Alex seems uncomfortable with this comment, and she adds, "No offence. I'm bi." Alex is a potentially straight man who wishes to live as a typical father and husband, has given no indication that he identifies with the word "queer," and is being labelled that way based solely on his non-passing (for lack of a better descriptor) voice and appearance. He has not introduced himself as being queer, he has been labelled that way by a stranger. I can understand why he is uncomfortable. It's called a reclaimed slur for a reason. If someone hasn't reclaimed it, it's just a slur when used to describe them. I personally remember that word being used quite violently in the early-2000s, particularly. For example, see this episode of Cold Case . In the following episode, Leila (now institutionalised as well, following the failed rescue) tells Abbie that Alex can help them escape. Abbie is doubtful, saying, "Cops just swing their dicks around, dude." Grinning, Leila says, "I don't think he has a dick." I did not appreciate this dialogue. The first trans man who had phalloplasty bottom surgeries was Laurence Michael Dillon, born in 1915, with the surgeries starting in 1946. Alex could indeed have a dick. She has no idea. Commenting on what might be in a trans man's pants is gross, even as a joke... Especially when that comment seems to be largely based on Alex's non-passing traits, since Leila knows virtually nothing else about him. It all feels quite realistic to an immature teenager's mindset, to be fair, and it also captures my own experience as an FTM transsexual living in a small town. Among those who know about my trans status, I've found that cishet people will typically accept me and avoid commenting on it, unless I bring it up first. They might be awkward initially, like Alex's colleagues, but they don't make a big deal out of it (with a few nasty exceptions). Cis LGB+ townspeople, however, will make comments which label me, out me to others, and make assumptions informed chiefly by their own lived experience. It's not a universal issue by any means, but it is a theme I've heard other trans people discuss. I can't fault the writing for being accurate to my experiences, I suppose. Alex and Laura. Moving on, I really enjoyed a sex scene in the fifth episode. Laura assumes a verbally- and physically-dominant role, issuing commands to Alex and standing above him. I appreciated the portrayal of a pregnant woman being sexually assertive, and her attraction to her trans husband. It's fantastic whenever a show dares to do something a bit different. I do think this show is worth watching, if you're looking for representation of a trans man in a committed relationship with a woman. Entry last updated: 10 Mar 2026

Kris, a Norwegian trans man in a multi-partner relationship with gay men David and Sindre, decides to carry a pregnancy. Fatherhood Documentary 2025 Norway, Iceland, Deutschland (Germany) Kris, a Norwegian trans man in a multi-partner relationship with gay men David and Sindre, decides to carry a pregnancy. Trailer. Available Summary: Between 1989 and 2016, Norway subjected hundreds of trans people to mandatory sterilisation, forcing them into a cruel bargain: surrender having children in exchange for legal gender recognition. Told his womb wasn’t viable due to years of testosterone, in 2009 Kris’s doctors made the unusual decision to only remove his ovaries. But when a routine gynaecological exam years later reveals Kris’s womb is healthy enough to carry a pregnancy, it means a lifelong dream of being a father with his loving partners David and Sindre is suddenly possible. Fatherhood follows the trio over the course of their pregnancy; from endless doctor’s appointments and picking nursery decor, to explaining their relationship to curious outsiders. Capturing the overwhelming joy fatherhood brings to all three men and their families, it’s a touching ode to the beauty of non-traditional families that doubles as a rallying cry for justice and healing. - QueerScreen . Entry last updated: 16 Mar 2026

Shy, a trans man played by American trans male actor Silas Howard, forms an unlikely friendship with an ambiguously-gendered person named Valentine, played by trans actor Harry Dodge. By Hook or by Crook Film 2001 United States of America Shy, a trans man played by American trans male actor Silas Howard, forms an unlikely friendship with an ambiguously-gendered person named Valentine, played by trans actor Harry Dodge. Trailer. Available Summaries: Shy, a trans man, leaves his small town in Kansas for San Francisco after the death of his father. Along the way, he encounters Valentine, a quirky adoptee in search of his birth mother. An immediate kinship is sparked between the two men and they become partners in crime with Val’s lover Billie to stay financially afloat. The duo faces money troubles, emotional problems, and physical confrontations as they learn to trust and support each other in pursuit of their goals. -Wikipedia. By Hook or By Crook is a buddy film that chronicles three weeks in the life of a handsome, gender-bending, small-town butch with a nagging messiah complex. -Harry Dodge. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Drew Reeves, a trans man played by American actress Zelda Williams, faces supernatural horrors at a summer camp. He is attracted to men and gets a cis gay boyfriend during the series. Dead of Summer Show 2016 United States of America Drew Reeves, a trans man played by American actress Zelda Williams, faces supernatural horrors at a summer camp. He is attracted to men and gets a cis gay boyfriend during the series. Pilot Episode. Available Summary: Set in 1989, school is out for the summer, and a sun-drenched season of firsts beckons the counselors at Camp Stillwater, a seemingly idyllic Midwestern summer camp, including first loves, first kisses—and first kills. Stillwater's dark, ancient mythology awakens, and what was supposed to be a summer of fun soon turns into one of unforgettable scares and evil at every turn. -Wikipedia. Jack's Summary: In Dead of Summer , a group of former camp attendees return to a summer camp as adult counsellors, each with their own motivation for recapturing their youth. The episodes lean pretty heavily on horror tropes and cheesy themes, but most of the character stereotypes are subverted, making the show more substantial than it initially seems. The first appearance of Drew. One of the counsellors is a moody, aloof guy named Drew. He's a mysterious stranger who talks very little and doesn't seem at all interested in befriending his fellow counsellors. Blair, another counsellor who is an openly gay cis man, is immediately attracted to Drew and intensely curious about him. Partway through episode 1, Drew is distracted by a stereotypically spooky girl holding a red balloon, who lingers in the distance and stares directly at him, the apparition haunting him. This moment sets the tone for the rest of his arc. At the end of this episode, Drew is revealed to be trans when he sneaks away from the other guys and takes a shower in a separate building. Drew being blackmailed because he's trans. Over the ensuing episodes, we learn more about Drew. Unfortunately, some of what we learn is courtesy of Jessie, a cis young woman who deadnames Drew and blackmails him on the basis of his trans male status. She sneaks up on him when he's soaking wet and reeling from a supernatural vision. He's frantically trying to pull his shirt off his chest, dysphoric about his pre-op body, when Jessie throws a towel at him and says, "Dry off, Andrea". Jessie tells Drew that she has taken photographs of him showering, calling him a "freak" and threatening to out him to the rest of the counsellors. Despite how awful this is, she has a change of heart, later admitting that she never took any such photos. Jessie and Drew. As a trans man myself, I was surprised by how little I hated Jessie, following this conflict. For a cheesy show, some of the character exploration and acting is top-notch, enough that I was keen to continue watching beyond Jessie's transphobia. (Jessie actually turned into my favourite character.) Plus, Drew isn't helpless, and quickly gets over Jessie's bullshit. The pair become unlikely friends. With Jessie's encouragement, Drew remains at the camp and comes out to Blair, the cis gay counsellor who had been attracted to Drew from the very beginning. When this goes badly, Jessie is the one to comfort Drew and support him. Throughout episode 4, Drew has flashback scenes where we witness his childhood and adolescence. Viewers get to see a range of experiences, from the heartwarming to the bittersweet to the utterly devastating. (If you are sensitive to parental abandonment of trans men, or conversion therapy, you should proceed with caution.) The little girl haunting modern-day Drew, as it turns out, is a version of his past self. Specifically, the apparition is reminiscent of a photograph taken of him in his youth. Drew triumphs over the spooky vision pretty easily, and the show mostly moves onto other storylines. From that victory onwards, Drew is treated to some really sweet scenes of romance and friendship. He fares better than most of the other main characters, actually. Drew and Blair. One of my favourite pieces of dialogue occurs when Blair and Drew are walking through the forest together: DREW: I should probably be thanking you. BLAIR: For what? DREW: The way you looked at me when I first got here. It's how I've always wanted to be looked at. BLAIR: Like a hot guy? DREW: Like a guy. The scene that follows this conversation is even more sweet. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this show for the trans/gay storyline. If you want to watch it for that reason, though, there are a few things that you should prepare for. Beyond the gore, blood, violence, ritual sacrifice, zombies, and death (all of which are pretty typical for a horror show), episode 5 has some particularly confronting scenes. Joel, a main character, had a brother who committed suicide after experiencing hallucinations and delusions. In flashbacks, Joel remembers finding his brother's dead body, and recalls family discussions which frame his brother's death as the result of mental illness. Later, Joel began to experience hallucinations too, leading to a violent outburst and a graphic self harm incident. If you or a loved one has experienced hallucinations or psychosis, you might be uncomfortable with the conflation of these experiences with supernatural themes. I don't think the end result is particularly well handled, and could be harmful, although that's a matter of opinion. I'm basing that opinion on the fact that the show introduces a character as a sufferer of mental illness, and then reveals that his delusional beliefs and hallucinations were actually caused by real supernatural forces, external to his brain. While this is a fanciful concept for most viewers, it could be a dangerous concept for people who experience psychosis or fixed false beliefs as part of their mental illness. To understand why, consider this interview with a woman who lives with schizophrenia. She explains how harmful it is for others to legitimise her hallucinations, and how dangerous it is to believe that the hallucinations are caused by something external to her brain. She even shares that, before being diagnosed, she believed she was possessed, as nothing else explained the things she was seeing and hearing every single day. The storyline in Dead of Summer legitimises hallucinations, making them real things which are observable by others and can be interacted with, and supports that idea of sufferers being possessed or haunted by real things. I believe this storyline would have been better without the framing of mental illness. I don't think the showrunners intended to legitimise hallucinations in the way that they did. All that to say, if you're sensitive to potentially harmful depictions of suicide, self harm, or psychosis, episode 5 is best avoided... or just approached with caution. That said, this is all my interpretation, and you may not interpret the show as I do. My other main criticism of Dead of Summer would be the casting of Drew. Zelda Williams got the role, despite being aware that she wasn't the best fit as a cis female actress. That in itself isn't necessarily the worst thing, given how well she performed as Drew, but what really stings is that she was chosen over trans actors who also auditioned for the role. An interview with Zelda Williams. While I do like Drew, I would've liked him all the more if he'd been played by a member of the trans male community. We could've had a trans man involved in the publicity for Dead of Summer , and all of the trans viewers who connected with Drew would've then had a trans actor to follow and be inspired by. Connections like that can be lifesaving when you have no other trans men in your life. As nice as Williams's performance was, the impact ended there. And, beyond the impact that a trans male actor would've made both behind the camera and in front of it ( trans actors have been known to positively influence the trans storylines they're involved in ), it's also important to consider the context of anti-FTM transphobia. The idea that we're just women playing dress-up is reinforced, especially to cis audiences, by actresses playing trans men. I became pretty firm in that opinion when I saw pictures of Elle Fanning attending the 3 Generations (2015) premiere, regardless of Fanning's good intentions. Plus, in the interview above, it's exasperating to hear Williams say that the trans community wanted "a transgender actress" to play a trans man. ( The comment is made at 1:59 .) At best, this is a pretty awkward slip of the tongue. FTM actors are not actresses. So, taking all of that into consideration... Yes, I did enjoy Dead of Summer . It has plot holes and cheesy themes, but it's alright. If you want to see a trans man coming out on top, despite all of the challenges he faces, this show will provide that. If you want to see a pre-everything trans male character in a relationship with a gay man, this show will provide that. As a cherry on top, he also gets a happy ending, and triumphs over the supernatural horrors he faces. Taken in isolation, the casting aside, this is a fun show. I'm a man who looks critically at the media I consume, especially when it comes to trans representation. If you're a more casual viewer, Dead of Summer might just be the trans/gay horror series you've been looking for. After all, there aren't that many such shows in existence. One final note on the casting of cis actors in trans roles: There is always the additional factor that a presumed-cisgender actor might be a closeted trans person, and may have taken the role as a way to explore their own identity. I'm not ignoring that reality as I criticise Dead of Summer , and I'm aware that the public can never truly know what exists in an actor's heart. My criticism of Williams is based on the fact that, in the above interview, she resolutely labelled herself as a "cisgender actress", and spoke directly about choosing to take the role as a non-trans person. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Naveen Bhat, a non-binary person, is interviewed alongside their partner, their partner's family, and Indian LGBT+ activists, with the documentary focusing on the illegal detainment of Naveen in India by their parents, and their subsequent escape to the U.S.A. Escaping Agra Documentary 2016 India, United States of America Naveen Bhat, a non-binary person, is interviewed alongside their partner, their partner's family, and Indian LGBT+ activists, with the documentary focusing on the illegal detainment of Naveen in India by their parents, and their subsequent escape to the U.S.A. Available Summary: In Escaping Agra we meet Naveen Bhat, a non-binary UC Davis college student held against their will in India when their gender identity is discovered. Naveen must battle their parents in court and piece their life back together, in this short documentary about self-discovery and perseverance. - Frameline . Jack's Summary: In this short documentary, Naveen Bhat talks about their journey and hardships. From the age of three, Naveen lived in America. A few weeks after their mother discovered that they were trans, they were contacted by their family in India and told that their grandmother was sick. In actuality, their family wanted them to travel to India so that they could be "fixed". Once Naveen arrived, their family confiscated their phone, computer, and travel documents, effectively imprisoning them in India. They were expected to live as a woman, adhere to traditional expectations, and enter an arranged marriage. Naveen discusses enduring physical and emotional abuse from their family, particularly their mother, and eventually fleeing India with the assistance of Indian LGBT+ activists and their partner's family in America. In parts, this short documentary is confronting... But it's also very sweet, with Madi (Naveen's partner) and Madi's parents sheltering Naveen in the USA. It's clear that Madi's parents don't entirely understand Naveen's non-binary identity, but they hug Naveen and insist on protecting them regardless. Justice Vikramajit Sen, of the Supreme Court of India, speaks firmly and positively about the human rights of trans people, which I very much enjoyed. Rituparna Borah, a queer feminist activist in New Delhi, refers to Naveen with he/him/his pronouns while discussing evacuating Naveen from India. In this 2015 article , and in other sources, Naveen identifies themself with he/him/his, so it is possible that Borah is not intentionally misgendering them, but rather, does not know that their pronouns are different nowadays. In a touching moment, Naveen reacts with a delighted smile when they receive their first testosterone shot. Their partner is sitting next to them, a hand on their shoulder, supporting them while the nurse explains how a testosterone injection works. Overall, this is a very important and touching short film. This film was previously available on Vimeo, but has been taken down since I watched it there. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

This short artistic film, created by trans man Rhys Ernst, explores gay trans male and HIV+ experiences, and includes footage of American transsexual man Lou Sullivan. Dear Lou Sullivan Experimental Film, Short Film 2014 United States of America This short artistic film, created by trans man Rhys Ernst, explores gay trans male and HIV+ experiences, and includes footage of American transsexual man Lou Sullivan. Watch. Available Summary: This new work by LA-based artist Rhys Ernst invokes the story of Lou Sullivan, trans man and AIDS activist largely responsible for establishing the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation. Cut with images of Ernst’ own examination of this figure and trans history, the video is structured by the search for and desire to identify transmasculine elders and an intergenerational exploration of gay transmasculine identity. Utilizing interview footage, excerpts of Sullivan’s book “Information for the Female-to-Male Crossdresser and Transsexual," VHS gay porn, and Grindr chats, Dear Lou Sullivan is a meditation on the life of the late trans man and AIDS activist that explores the bodily intersection of transmasculine gay and HIV+ identity. -Visual AIDS, Vimeo. Note from Jack: Please be aware that this short film includes screenshots of transphobic and serophobic Grindr messages, and a lot of flashing imagery. Gay porn plays throughout this short film, but I didn't see any explicit imagery, and I think all overt sex acts are obscured. Though the term "transmasculine" is placed upon Lou Sullivan, that is a modern term which (to my knowledge) he never identified with. He identified as a female-to-male transsexual. This stands out to me because, as a modern FTM transsexual, I have repeatedly been labelled as transmasculine, even when I have reminded people that I do not identify with that term. This is an experience that I share with many other transsexual men. If people ever discuss my life as a trans man, I do not want them to place a term on me that I never identified with in life. The film's description credits Sullivan as being " largely responsible for establishing the distinction between gender identity and sexual orientation". My caveat would be that this is a USA-centric, and Western-centric, statement. We can appreciate the work that Sullivan did, and the wondrous impact of his visibility, while also acknowledging that the conversation about gender and sexual orientation transcends countries, generations, and cultures, and is certainly larger than one person. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Lou Sullivan, an American transsexual man, discusses his life, transition, sexual orientation, and aspirations with Dr. Ira Pauly. Female-to-Gay-Male Transsexualism: Lou Sullivan and Dr. Ira Pauly Interview 1988, 1989, 1990 United States of America Lou Sullivan, an American transsexual man, discusses his life, transition, sexual orientation, and aspirations with Dr. Ira Pauly. Part 1: Gender and Sexual Orientation (1988). Part 2: Living With AIDS (1988). Part 3 (1989). Part 4: One Year Later (1990). Available Summary: Gay trans man Lou Sullivan, a historian and community leader, is interviewed by Dr. Ira Pauly about his experiences. -Internet Archive. Jack's Summary: Lou Sullivan was a transsexual man who was both an FTM pioneer and a gay activist. In these interviews, Sullivan discusses transitioning and fighting for the rights of gay trans people, which was a controversial concept in a context where all trans individuals were expected to be heterosexual. He also discusses his childhood, his transition, living with HIV, and all aspects of his private life. Even as his health began to degrade due to AIDS-related complications, he continued to offer insights and engage in advocacy. To get some perspective on the work done by previous generations, to fight for the right to self-identify in any way preferred, I would highly recommend giving this series a watch. Thank you to Kasper for reaching out and providing this resource! Many people have spoken up to credit Lou Sullivan's accomplishments, including trans activist Max Wolf Valerio, who wrote in 2007 , "Lou was a writer and capable of standing up for what he saw as truth. He was a gay transsexual man, before this was even allowed or recognized. He is also the person who helped to change that, and now being gay is no longer an issue if you want to begin transition." This is a very Western/USA-centric statement, certainly, but Sullivan's impact should be recognised regardless. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Yoseñio Lewis, an American trans man, is interviewed about his life, transition, trauma, and faith. Yoseñio Lewis Interview 2021 United States of America Yoseñio Lewis, an American trans man, is interviewed about his life, transition, trauma, and faith. Watch. WARNING: References to child sexual abuse. Available Summary: Yoseñio Lewis was born in October 1959 in Newport, Rhode Island. A transgender man and Latino of African descent, he is also a trans rights activist, educator, and musician. From the age of five, Yoseñio was sexually abused by five relatives, resulting in him becoming pregnant at age 13. He only found out about the pregnancy when he started haemorrhaging blood in his school’s Science class. Sadly, his daughter was delivered stillborn. This traumatic event had a profound impact on Yoseñio, and he continues to commemorate his daughter to this day. One of Yoseñio’s early experiences as both an activist and writer came when he was asked to write a poem for Earth Day 1975 at the age of fifteen. As a teenager, he also wrote a letter to the governor of Providence when a fellow student was being bullied. These experiences planted the seeds for Yoseñio’s future as an activist and artist. It wasn’t until he was 33 that Yoseñio came out as FTM (female-to-male) after a friend told him, “You’re trans.” Yoseñio denied it at the time but eventually realized that his friend was correct after attending support meetings and reading the FTM Newsletter. He was so overjoyed about finally having language for his experience that he told everyone, including strangers on the bus. Yoseñio became involved in trans activism when his support group started producing conferences. His first focus was on policy changes in San Francisco to allow trans people to receive insurance without restrictions on transgender care. This was inspired by a significant medical issue of his own: Yoseñio’s body had been producing both too much testosterone and too much estrogen. After suffering from constant bleeding for a year and a half, being accused of faking his illness, and being passed from doctor to doctor, he was diagnosed with stage two uterine cancer, which he was initially unable to get insurance for. He got a friend to give him a job at a drug treatment program for three months before he could qualify for insurance and undergo a hysterectomy. Following his surgery, he underwent testosterone hormone replacement therapy and later had a mastectomy for breast cancer. Amidst the trauma he has faced in his life, Yoseñio remains a powerful voice for transgender rights. He has been recognized for his activism and contributions to the community, including being one of the inaugural members of the Trans 100 List. He is a founding member of “The TransAms,” an all-transgender barbershop quartet, and helps to train medical professionals on how to treat trans people. He also set up an HIV/AIDS education group at a halfway house for federal offenders. Yoseñio has struggled to reconcile his body with his religious upbringing, initially believing that he was an “abomination unto the Lord.” However, he now accepts that he was born exactly as he was so that he could use his experience to be a mentor and help others: "If I am a representation of God, how dare I say I can’t shine, I can’t show my light, I can’t be in the world, I can’t take up space? That is the abomination unto the Lord, when I don’t use the gifts that I’ve been given." -OUTWORDS Archive. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Chris Winters, an elderly English trans man with a female partner, thinks back on his life and imagines what it would've been like to transition earlier. Chris is portrayed by several different actors, including Elliot Sailors, an American genderfluid model/actor. Written and directed by English trans man Jake Graf. Dusk Short Film 2017 England, United States of America Chris Winters, an elderly English trans man with a female partner, thinks back on his life and imagines what it would've been like to transition earlier. Chris is portrayed by several different actors, including Elliot Sailors, an American genderfluid model/actor. Written and directed by English trans man Jake Graf. Watch. Available Summary: Growing up in 1950s England in an intolerant and uninformed world, young Chris Winters struggles to fit into the gender roles dictated by wider society. A more than tough childhood left behind, Chris meets dream woman Julie, and life lightens a little, but the growing feeling that theirs is a life half-lived haunts Chris. Endlessly imagining what might have been, Chris is finally struck by the realisation that for some decisions there is no right answer, and that it's those that truly define us. Starring trans actors in both cis and trans roles, Dusk is the award-winning trans short that stormed the festival circuit in 2017/2018, screening at 87 festivals internationally. -Vimeo. WARNINGS: Unsafe chest binding , confronting themes. The bandage binding in this short film makes sense, given its setting, but no disclaimer is shown before or after the film, informing viewers that they should not follow this example. Honestly, this is a very beautiful film that I highly recommend watching, but you should be prepared for lesbophobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexual harassment, a gay bashing, and misogyny. Entry last updated: 9 Mar 2026