Leslie Feinberg, a pioneering American butch and trans activist, is interviewed about gender and identity. Outlaw Documentary 1994 United States of America Leslie Feinberg, a pioneering American butch and trans activist, is interviewed about gender and identity. Watch. Available Summary: Leslie Feinberg, a self-identified "gender outlaw" who has spent much of zir life passing as a man, speaks with passion and intelligence about zir experiences in this video manifesto. Raw and confrontational, this film asks its audience to examine their assumptions about the "nature" of gender and calls for more sensitivity and awareness of the human rights and the dignity of transgendered people. Feinberg is the author of Stone Butch Blues , an account of a working-class lesbian who passes as a man. -Vimeo. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Transgender, transsexual, non-binary, cis, butch, onabe... What do these words mean? Terminology An overview of the identities, labels, and communities referenced throughout this website, noting that cultures and individuals may have different definitions to what is described here. Consider this a starting point, not the final say. Several of the terms on this page are used as slurs against trans, gender diverse, and non-conforming people. For some people however, such terms are their entire identity, and that should be respected. Image Identities Trans A shorthand for transgender and/or transsexual. Transgender An umbrella term for people whose gender identities do not correspond with the gender identities they were assigned at birth. Transsexual Someone who has changed, or who seeks to change, their sex characteristics through medical interventions (hormones, surgeries). This term is also used by some people who do not pursue medical interventions, especially older trans people. Unlike orientation terms (homosexual, heterosexual), the "sex" in this term refers to sex characteristics. Trans Man A man who was assigned female at birth, but who has a male gender. Non-Binary An umbrella term for people whose gender identities fall outside of a traditional man/woman binary. For example, agender (a sense of having no gender) and genderfluid (fluctuating gender identity). Non-binary can also be used as an individual identity, if a person does not wish to label their identity further. Transmasculine Trans people who were assigned female at birth, and whose gender identities are centrally defined by masculinity. Some trans men use this label, others do not feel represented by it. Butch A term which is used in diverse ways by masculine lesbians, masculine-of-centre people, and (in the modern-day) people who also use terms like transmasculine or non-binary. Some butches may solely identify as butch, using no other label. I highly recommend the series Butch Is Not A Dirty Word to learn about butch identity and diversity. The founder of BINADW, Esther Godoy, explains , "People refer to the word butch as a noun, as an adjective, as a gender identity all in itself... Nobody can really say what is, or what isn't, butch. There's so few other terms that do that. It feels like a safe space, for me." Culturally-Specific Identities Identities and labels which are specific to certain cultures, spiritualities, ethnicities, etc. مسترجل (Mustarjil) Ahwaris, also referred to as Marsh Arabs, are a community that inhabit the Mesopotamian marshlands in modern-day south Iraq... Mustarjil is an Arabic term meaning “becoming a man.” Although it can be used derogatorily to refer to women who are perceived as having a masculine appearance and/or mannerisms, in Iraq’s marshes, it existed as a gender identity. Within the context of the Ahwari community, Mustarjil was a common gender identity, where people assigned female at birth decide to live as a man after puberty, and this decision was generally accepted in the community (source ). Brotherboy An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who was assigned female at birth, who has a male spirit. Brotherboys might also identify as trans men, transmasculine, or non-binary, or just as a Brotherboy. It is a gender identity and a cultural identity not appropriate for other populations to use. お鍋 (Onabe) An older term for Japanese people who were assigned female at birth, and who present masculinely or live as men. People who identify with this term may be trans men or masculine women, or may identify (in Western terms) as non-binary people or transmasculine people. Or, they may solely identify as Onabe. This term is not appropriate for non-Japanese people to use. Two Spirit A contemporary umbrella term used by some Indigenous people, in the land now called North America, to describe those who fulfil a transitional third-gender or gender-variant role in their communities. This includes Wakikanak (described as those born in a woman's body but who take on the roles of men ), Înahpîkasoht (described as women who dress, live, or are accepted as men ), and many more. Indigiqueer A contemporary umbrella term attributed to Indigenous trans man Theo Jean Cuthand, who coined the label in 2004 because, "some LGBTQ Indigenous people don’t feel as comfortable with the Two Spirit title because it implies some dual gender stuff, which some people just don’t feel describes their identity" (source ). Acronyms and Terms FTM (Female-to-Male) A shorthand acronym for people who were assigned female at birth, who transition to male. TGD (Trans and Gender-Diverse) An inclusive umbrella term/acronym for people whose gender identities do not correspond to their genders assigned at birth, and people whose gender experiences are non-normative and diverse, but who may not use the term trans to describe themselves. AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) A shorthand acronym for people who were assigned female at birth, alternatively described as "born female" or "female-born" across media and by some community members. Sometimes written as PFAB (presumed female at birth). Gender Dysphoria A persistent sense of distress and discomfort caused by a person's birth sex conflicting with their innate gender identity. For example, a trans man may begin experiencing physical gender dysphoria during puberty, when he starts to develop breast tissue beyond what other boys are developing at his age. A trans man may experience social gender dysphoria when referred to as a woman, or with she/her/hers pronouns. Cisgender A person whose gender identity corresponds to the gender they were assigned at birth. Basically, the majority of the human population. For example, a cisgender man is a bloke who was born male, raised as a boy, and grew up as a man. The etymology of "cis" simply means "on the same side" and, when applied to gender, means that a person's gender status has not changed. For most cis people, this is not an identity necessarily, but is rather used in medical and advocacy settings to avoid stigmatising language like "trans men and normal men," implying that trans men are abnormal or unnatural. Alternative language used in historical media and in different global communities includes, "neo-natal males and natal males," and, "trans men and biological men," and more. The appropriateness of these terms depends on social context. Other Terms Intersex An umbrella term for people born with innate variations of their sex characteristics, which do not fit medical/social norms for male and female bodies. Being intersex is not the same as being trans or gender-diverse. Many intersex people are cisgender. As this is a trans-focused website, intersex media is only included where trans or gender-diverse people also happen to be intersex, or where intersex experiences also happen to be discussed in trans or gender diverse media. The acronym IVSC (Innate Variations of Sex Characteristics) can be used to emphasise the meaning of intersex in contexts where LGBT+ communities misunderstand intersex as describing a gender identity. An endosex person is someone who was born with innate sex characteristics which correspond with medical/social norms for male and female bodies. This is the majority of the human population, and the majority of trans or gender-diverse people. I self-label as being born endosex, because I am a trans man who was born in a female body which fit the medical and social norms of female anatomy. The changes to my sex later, when I transitioned, does not make me intersex. My sex variations are acquired, not innate.

Kai, a Brotherboy trans man, is interviewed alongside his family, discussing his culture, identity, transition, and goals. I Am Kai Documentary, Short Film 2023 Australia Kai, a Brotherboy trans man, is interviewed alongside his family, discussing his culture, identity, transition, and goals. Watch. Available Summary: Kai Clancy is Brotherboy; an Indigenous transmasculine person. Kai navigates traditional roles and his identity within his culture and shares his life now, nine years after his top surgery and transition. -ABC News (Australia). Jack's Summary: Kai Clancy, the subject of this documentary short, has long been an advocate for First Nations gender-diverse people, in the land now known as Australia. For those of us who have seen his videos in the past, when he was much younger, it is wonderful to witness him as his bearded, older self. This short film opens with the words of Kai’s father. He says, “Kai is a strong First Nation warrior. Wakka Wakka, Wulli Wulli.” He goes on to say, “Amongst our tribe, the wedge-tailed eagle is one of our totems. It means guardian and keeper of the law, for family and language. And Kai does that well. He is a great warrior.” It was so beautiful to hear Kai’s father speaking those words, and to watch as he ceremonially painted Kai. Kai speaks about his relationship with his culture, how his gender is received by his community, his marriage and relationship, and his transition. All in all, a very sweet and sensitive portrayal that I wish was longer! You may need an Australian VPN to watch this short film. It was available on YouTube, but has been taken down now. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Denny, a non-binary person played by four non-binary actors throughout the course of the film, falls in love with a cisgender heterosexual lawyer named Ryan, quickly moving in with him. Their relationship falls apart just as fast. The non-binary people who portray Denny are American actor Lex Ryan, English actor Kylo Freeman, Australian actor Liv Hewson, and American actor Bobbi Salvör Menuez. Under My Skin Film 2020 Australia, United States of America, England Denny, a non-binary person played by four non-binary actors throughout the course of the film, falls in love with a cisgender heterosexual lawyer named Ryan, quickly moving in with him. Their relationship falls apart just as fast. The non-binary people who portray Denny are American actor Lex Ryan, English actor Kylo Freeman, Australian actor Liv Hewson, and American actor Bobbi Salvör Menuez. Trailer. Available Summary: Denny, a free spirited artist falls for Ryan, a strait-laced lawyer. Young love ensues, but when Denny begins to explore gender, Ryan’s ingrained values are challenged. As Denny finds they can no longer ignore their true self, pressures mount and the couple seek to negotiate the shifting sands. Denny is played by four different actors, exploring four chapters in their story. -Wikipedia. Jack's Summary: This is more of a breakup movie than a romance movie. Denny moves in with Ryan, who assumes them to be a cis woman. Denny, still questioning their gender and not sure who they are, doesn't initially correct him. This sets the pair off on a journey of chaos and domestic conflict that feels almost uncomfortably real. Under My Skin could be a guidebook on how to not act in relationships. It's a mutual mess. Throughout the film, Denny is portrayed by four different non-binary actors; Liv Hewson, Bobbi Salvor Menuez, Kylo Freeman, and Lex Ryan. It's a way to communicate how multi-faceted gender can be, especially during the early-transition phase. I found the result a bit strange, but it's a cool concept and I liked that the movie did something different. Denny flattening their chest. What I really didn't like about this film was that Denny binds their chest with bandages, which is undeniably dangerous. I'm really sick of early-transition exploration being used to justify that tired old trope, and I'd hoped this movie would be better than that. Denny has a smartphone and easy access to information about binding. They should've been shown using a safe binder from the outset, skipping bandages altogether. Denny flattening their chest. Even when they do move onto a binder, it's a clasp binder, and it looks dangerously similar to the harmful clasp binders available on sites like Amazon. See this page, for an in-depth explanation of why that is an issue. And, style of binder aside, the reasons for using a binder instead of bandages are not addressed. It is not obvious to the viewer that Denny may use a proper binder to reduce the pain, harm, and risk of binding, all of which are heightened when using bandages. A viewer could still walk away from this film reckoning that bandage binding is a good idea. Another thing I really didn't like is that Ryan is sexually harassed by his boss with less than 15 minutes left in the film. It was a random scene that was deeply uncomfortable and, most importantly, Ryan is not shown experiencing any comfort, closure, or care afterwards, with the harassment going unaddressed in the film's narrative. Then, with less than 6 minutes left, Denny is called "it" by the same creep, as though the filmmakers included Ryan being sexually harassed just to emphasise that people who maliciously misgender trans individuals are unsavoury. That's a message which really didn't need to be reinforced with a gross harassment scene. It struck me as very unnecessary, almost like an afterthought. And, considering the fact that Denny has aggressive and dubiously consensual sex with Ryan earlier in the film, this last-minute scene really solidifies the feeling that Ryan is a victim. All in all, this is a messy film that not everybody will enjoy, but at least it was something interesting and different. Entry last updated: 28 Feb 2026

Four American trans men are extensively interviewed as they prepare for a bodybuilding competition, with their family members, partners, and other trans men interviewed as well. Topics addressed in this documentary include romance, sex, gender dysphoria, pride, domestic abuse, family and adoption, ethnicity, and more. Man Made Documentary 2018 United States of America Four American trans men are extensively interviewed as they prepare for a bodybuilding competition, with their family members, partners, and other trans men interviewed as well. Topics addressed in this documentary include romance, sex, gender dysphoria, pride, domestic abuse, family and adoption, ethnicity, and more. Official Website. Available Summary: Man Made is a feature-length documentary tracing the varied lives of four transgender men as they prepare to step onstage at the only all-trans bodybuilding competition in the world. Now available to buy/rent worldwide. -Official website. Jack's Summary: In this film, trans men of many different backgrounds, ethnicities, sexualities, and experiences gather for a bodybuilding competition. Man Made doesn't shy away from the realities of being trans, doesn't sugarcoat what it's like to be assigned a gender that you innately can't manifest, but ultimately offers a message of love and acceptance. Everything is discussed: Transitioning, sex, romance, employment, fitness, family, ethnicity, suicide, depression, euphoria, homelessness, domestic abuse, and so much more. Plenty of content warnings apply to this film, but only because the trans director wished to give his interviewees ample chances to share their stories. There is so much wisdom, pride, and complexity in this documentary. I absolutely recommend watching it. WARNING: Unsafe binding and graphic, uncensored footage of surgery being performed. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Azad, a trans man played by Iranian actress Fereshteh Hosseini, travels to a remote village with his girlfriend to get his father's legal permission to medically transition. Between Dreams and Hope Film 2025 Iran Azad, a trans man played by Iranian actress Fereshteh Hosseini, travels to a remote village with his girlfriend to get his father's legal permission to medically transition. Trailer. Available Summary: Visionary filmmaker Farnoosh Samadi drew on the real, lived experiences of the Iranian LGBTIQ+ community to craft this tense yet poignant thriller. Azad, a trans man, and his partner Nora are young lovers navigating the painful divide between modernity and deeply rooted social expectations. In order to get married, Azad must first be legally recognised as a man, but when Azad’s application to access gender-affirming care is rejected because he doesn’t have the permission of his estranged father, their future is thrown into uncertainty. With no other options they travel to his remote family village to convince his father to sign his documents. But when Azad goes missing, Nora must navigate bureaucracy within a community that would rather he not be found. Part taut mystery, part intimate portrait of Iran’s young queer generation, they’re acutely aware of their rights and quietly resist erasure, holding on to hope in the face of immense constraint. The film beautifully captures the fragile space between love, resistance and survival in a society shaped by rigid tradition. Contains depictions of transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming, discussions of off-screen transphobic violence, and references to animal abuse. - Queer Screen . Entry last updated: 16 Mar 2026

Luca Scarpelli, a Brazilian trans man, is among the five lifestyle coaches who aim to transform peoples' lives with makeovers, renovations, and wardrobe changes. Queer Eye (Brazil) Reality TV 2022 Brazil Luca Scarpelli, a Brazilian trans man, is among the five lifestyle coaches who aim to transform peoples' lives with makeovers, renovations, and wardrobe changes. Trailer. Available Summary: In this uplifting reality makeover show, five lifestyle experts preside over emotional journeys of transformation. -Netflix. Entry last updated: 14 Feb 2026

Five trans men are interviewed about their experiences with transitioning and testosterone. Trans Men at 5 Different Stages of Transitioning Interview 2021 United States of America Five trans men are interviewed about their experiences with transitioning and testosterone. Watch. Available Summary: We ask trans men who have been on [testosterone] for different lengths of time the same questions to see how time has shaped their feelings about the experience. -Jubilee, YouTube. Jack's Summary: This is a very sweet video where five trans men, all different ages and with different backgrounds, discuss how long they have been on testosterone and how transitioning has changed their lives. Luckie, the oldest interviewee, has been on testosterone for eleven years. Noah, the youngest interviewee, is yet to start testosterone. Be aware that the video (while it ends on a hopeful and happy note) includes discussions of suicide, deadnaming, misgendering, and being kicked out of home. Everyone's experiences are different, so these men's experiences may not necessarily reflect your own journey on testosterone. Please also note that Jubilee (the channel which posted this video) should be approached with caution overall, as they often present disinformation and bigotry as being legitimate worldviews. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

George, a trans man played by American cis male actor John Ventantonio, is a harmful mockery of trans men. He is ultimately killed, with his pre/non-op chest ogled after death. Private Parts Film 1972 United States of America George, a trans man played by American cis male actor John Ventantonio, is a harmful mockery of trans men. He is ultimately killed, with his pre/non-op chest ogled after death. Trailer. Available Summary: Young Cheryl moves into her estranged aunt Martha's rundown King Edward Hotel. One of its offbeat residents, disturbed photographer George, takes special interest in her. Cheryl begins suspecting that a resident was murdered. -IMDb. Jack's Summary: While this is chiefly a silly, overdramatic movie that I didn't find particularly upsetting, aspects of the plot have disturbing parallels to injustices experienced by trans men in real life, and transness is presented as torture rather than autonomy. George's undignified end. When this film's canonical trans male character, George, is found dead, amused policemen ogle his exposed non-op chest and remark, "Look at the jugs on this guy! Boy, oh boy! With knockers like that, I could go for this guy myself!" In death, he is reduced to being a freakish specimen, much like the FTM villain in Beyond the Valley of the Dolls , released two years prior to this film. His body is a source of disgust, fascination, and arousal, accompanied by complete apathy towards the fact that he has been killed. (While undeniably transphobic, this scene also is consistent with the apathy which police officers show toward other dead bodies and victims of crime.) Testosterone vials (clearer in high definition). Unlike Beyond the Valley of the Dolls however, a narrative of trans deception and perversion was planned from the very beginning of Private Parts , to the extent that injectable testosterone is clearly visible in George's cabinets, for viewers who are paying attention. Being assigned female at birth, and physically transitioning with testosterone, is the overarching horror and plot twist. George and his mother. Another difference between the two films is that Private Parts doesn't just portray a trans man as a sexually obscene weirdo, but also as a feeble, pathetic, damaged person who only transitioned because he had an abusive mother who forced him to be trans. In that sense, Private Parts offers dual transphobic tropes, mirroring the logic used to mock real FTM journeys; transition as a manifestation of perverse, unacceptable sexual perversion, and transition as a result of bad parenting. The idea that trans men can't make our own decisions, and must have instead been forced by our caregivers to adopt a male identity, is an old idea used to strip away FTM autonomy, and it's an idea which provides the foundation for Private Parts . As for what George's personal experience of gender is, how he identifies and would choose to live if allowed to make his own choices... it is not clear. Cheryl putting on a show for George. Cheryl, the female protagonist of Private Parts , desires George and even strips for him, spending much of the film being sexually assertive and confident, exploring exhibitionism and voyeurism of her own free will. She's certainly bolder than most hapless female victims of this genre, but she's ultimately terrified and physically intimidated by George when he advances towards her with a needle, seeking to inject his blood into her body in lieu of being able to ejaculate like a cis male. The final shot of the film; Cheryl, turned evil. While the killers in this film are ultimately both women (George's mother and Cheryl herself), and George ends up being a victim (albeit a very creepy one), that doesn't stop this film being incredibly transphobic and without consideration for trans male viewers. Beyond transphobic tropes, this film conflates homosexuality with an attraction to underage boys, by way of a gay male character named Reverend Moon, who gets visibly excited when asked if he knows the whereabouts of a "clean-cut fifteen year-old boy". Upon a rewatch, I properly absorbed the fact that the afore-mentioned fifteen-year-old boy goes on a date with Cheryl, which led me to wonder how old Cheryl herself is... and whether she is, in fact, a teenager herself. As for George's age, all we know is that he is approximately twice as old as Cheryl, giving the film (and George himself) a new level of creepiness. In summary, Private Parts uses trans maleness as a plot device, portraying George as a martyr and his transition as a tragedy. It is not representation in the slightest. Entry last updated: 9 Feb 2026

Manjish, an Indian intersex trans man, discusses being raised as a feminine girl, discovering his intersex traits at age 24, medically transitioning to male, and experiencing discrimination. He talks about wanting to be visible as an activist, to help others. One Billion Rising: Transgender Person Breaks Silence Interview 2010 India Manjish, an Indian intersex trans man, discusses being raised as a feminine girl, discovering his intersex traits at age 24, medically transitioning to male, and experiencing discrimination. He talks about wanting to be visible as an activist, to help others. Watch. Available Summary: Transsexuals and intersex individuals face significant challenges in India Defining sexual identities is difficult in any cultural context. In Indian society, where cultural norms are often more conservative than much of the West, understanding and incorporating diversity remains a significant challenge—for individuals and society at large. The US-based Human Rights Campaign Foundation defines transgender as, "a term used to describe a broad range of people who experience and/or express their gender somewhat differently from what most people expect. It is an overarching term that includes those expressing gender characteristics that don't correspond with characteristics traditionally ascribed to the person's sex or presumed sex." Where transgender is associated with a personal, internal identity, intersexuality is often defined by physical characteristics. The Intersex Society of North America makes this distinction: "Many people confuse transgender and transsexual people with people with intersex conditions because they see two groups of people who would like to choose their own gender identity, and sometimes those choices require hormonal treatments and/or surgery. These are similarities. It's also true, albeit rare, that some people who have intersex conditions also decide to change genders at some point in their life, so some people with intersex conditions might also identify themselves as transgender or transsexual. -YouTube. Entry last updated: 28 Mar 2026

Jim Jimenez, a non-binary person played by Puerto Rican non-binary actor Vico Ortiz, is a pirate who has romantic relationships with both a man and a woman (separately and then together). Our Flag Means Death Show 2022 United States of America, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Barbados, Puerto Rico Jim Jimenez, a non-binary person played by Puerto Rican non-binary actor Vico Ortiz, is a pirate who has romantic relationships with both a man and a woman (separately and then together). Available Summary: Our Flag Means Death is an American period romantic comedy television series created by David Jenkins. Set in 1717 during the Golden Age of Piracy, the series follows the misadventures of gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet and his crew aboard the Revenge as they try to make a name for themselves as pirates and cross paths with famed pirate captain Blackbeard. -Wikipedia. Jack's Summary: Season 1: Our Flag Means Death is a comedic romance about pirates, with a lot of GBT+ representation. Jim Jimenez with Oluwande Boodhari. A character named Jim is introduced in episode 1. The crewmates of The Revenge, Stede Bonnet's ship, believe "him" to be a mute man, knowing very little about him except that he is skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Oluwande Boodhari is the only crewmate who knows anything substantial about Jim. Jim's first appearance without a disguise. At the end of this first episode, Jim is revealed to be wearing a disguise, which includes a fake beard and nose. Over ensuing episodes, it's revealed that Jim is concealing their true identity because they are wanted for murder. Jim writing about wearing a false beard. Jim's disguise is eventually removed in front of all crewmates, who are immediately curious about who (and what) Jim is, especially considering seafaring myths about women being bad luck. In episode 4, when asked, "The whole time, you were a woman?" Jim replies, "Yeah... I guess. I don't know." It's subtly apparent that Jim is still figuring out who they are, and how they'd rather live. They quickly decide, however, that they do want to remain as Jim, but in a more authentic way (without the disguise). Sick of the questions and awkwardness, they say to the crew, "You all know me as Jim, sí? Just keep calling me Jim. Nothing's changed. Except I don't have the beard, and my nose is different, and I can speak now... Anyone got a problem with that?" Nobody does. From then onward, their gender isn't discussed. Our Flag Means Death is a comedy that only loosely mirrors real histories, allowing for Jim to exist as a non-binary person in ways that stretch early 18th century reality. This allows for a relaxed viewing experience for non-binary people. Crewmates ease into using they/them pronouns for Jim, from episode 7 onwards, and it's not a big deal. I really loved how Jim's arc was handled. I loved that the comfort and mental wellness of LGBT+ viewers guided depictions of coming out, relationships, and self-identification. The show simply refuses to handle some topics, operating within a limited, comedic world that bypasses many of the traumas LGBT+ people experience. As an example, the non-binary actor who played Jim (Vico Ortiz) wore a chest binder throughout filming , resulting in a character who has a flattened chest, but the show doesn't tackle how such a character might bind. Many other shows and films would have been unable to resist the temptation to show Jim wrapping bandages around their body, as per a dangerous stereotype in FTM, gender-diverse, and crossdressing media . Our Flag Means Death ignores that trope completely, and revels in the freedom of being a comedy rather than a faithful historical reenactment. One of my favourite episodes is episode 7, where Jim's nana is introduced. The woman's reaction to Jim going by a new name is beautifully understated, bypassing hostility or awkwardness to focus on more important things; teasing of Jim due to their closeness with Oluwande, and questions about the revenge mission which has defined Jim's life. Jim and Oluwande. Oluwande's relationship with Jim is one of the show's most valuable, and touching, storylines. That's saying a lot, considering the grace and gentleness with which Stede and Blackbeard's relationship is handled, particularly in the final episodes of season 1. Oluwande's affection for Jim, and the fact that he is attracted to a person who is neither a man or a woman, is another example of Our Flag Means Death ignoring predictable questions. The fact that Oluwande and Jim fall in love, and have sex, doesn't need a label or a crisis of sexuality. The relationship between the pair is simply allowed to exist. A woman aggressively coming onto Jim. The only season 1 scene that made me uncomfortable involved a woman (named Spanish Jackie) flirting with Jim, making an unwelcome sexual comment that referred to an erection, and backing them into a corner in a way that would rightfully be unacceptable if a cis man had done the same to a cis woman. In the context of the show, Jackie was actually trying to get physically close to Jim to pull off their fake beard and nose, and she wasn't necessarily motivated by sexual desire. That didn't really alleviate my discomfort, as the scene felt too similar to an old "comedic" trope of a man enduring the unwanted attention of a woman, and this supposedly being funny. The fact that the man, in this case, was the persona of a male impersonator didn't make the parallel any better. You can learn more about the "comedic" trope of women harassing men, and how this has long been mishandled, by watching this video essay . Jim, while in the role of a man, had to remain mute, which meant that they couldn't say "stop" or "get away from me" aloud... which obviously made the scene even more uncomfortable. Whether the afore-mentioned scene will bother you as much as it bothers me likely depends on your background, whether you've been sexually harassed by women, and how consciously you analyse the differences between masculine and feminine characters when it comes to the framing of sexual harassment. This scene could've been handled better. If a cis man wanted to pull of a cis woman's disguise, so he made sexual advances towards her and pressed her against a wall in the same way Jackie did to Jim, I have no doubt that fans would've rightfully labelled him as a total creep. There is stereotypical pirate-themed violence (stabbing, shooting, fighting), forced auto-cannibalism, cursing, and other expected drama. The show also handles racism, slavery, and classism. There are brief flashbacks and references to domestic, familial abuse and patricide. You can read about Vico Ortiz's experience filming Our Flag Means Death here . Season 2: S02E04 features a scene where a woman sits on a gay man's lap and aggressively kisses him, even though he verbally indicates his discomfort and is clearly not consenting to it. She only stops because somebody else happens to be in the room, and interrupts. Later, the woman lies about the encounter in front of the man's male partner, claiming that he gave her "a proper tonguing". The gay man, uncomfortable and worried that his partner will believe the woman's claim, has to correct the record and say, "No, she kissed me ." The woman is not held accountable for what she did, and the takeaway is that she's just bored in her relationship, justifying leaping onto someone and kissing them against their will. The fact that Our Flag Means Death is a comedy doesn't stop this being a scene of sexual assault. If the gender roles were reversed, and a man did exactly the same thing to a woman, people would absolutely call it assault (or at least harassment) regardless of the show's genre. Fans of this show would've furiously criticised the writers for depicting a non-consensual kiss as comedy, if that kiss were being forced onto a lesbian by a man. But, when it's a woman kissing a gay man against his will, apparently it's completely acceptable. What I saw in S02E04 was a common experience for male survivors... turned into a joke. The difference is that real men/boys don't have zany minor characters to intervene and prevent sexual assaults from going further, and real men/boys experience discomfort and distress in the wake of being assaulted by women, at which point many such victims are laughed at because a woman assaulting a man is funny or unbelievable. It's long past time for shows and films to stop minimising the seriousness of men being assaulted/harassed, especially when a show claims to be progressive, as Our Flag Means Death does. The double standard has to end. It's not okay to kiss men without consent. It's not funny to kiss men without consent. If it's assault when a man does it to a woman, it's assault when a woman does it to a man. I know many people will disagree with my take on this show's depictions of non-consensual sexual advances, and might seek to minimise the double standards which are glaringly apparent in Our Flag Means Death . A great deal of this show deserves praise and admiration, from the casting to the writing, and that appeal shouldn't have been tainted by scenes which do nothing except downplay the seriousness of assaulting and sexually harassing males. If you are a man who has survived sexual abuse, I recommend the site 1in6 , which supports and advocates on behalf of men/boys who are survivors. It addresses the specific struggles faced by men. You are not alone. Additionally, this article shares the experiences of a 50-year-old trans man named Trystan Cotten, who was unable to seek support for harassment due to being a man, and found that women laughed at his experiences when he tried to get help. If you have found yourself in similar situations, and you've noticed a double standard since transitioning, please know that countless men have been through exactly the same thing, and it is not okay. We all deserve better. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026

Kim, a teenage trans boy played by Swedish actress Tuva Jagell and Swedish actor Emrik Öhlander, discovers a magical plant which can physically transform his body, and the bodies of his female friends. Pojkarna (Girls Lost) Film 2015 Sweden Kim, a teenage trans boy played by Swedish actress Tuva Jagell and Swedish actor Emrik Öhlander, discovers a magical plant which can physically transform his body, and the bodies of his female friends. Available Summary: Nectar from a magic flower allows three girls to live as boys for a while. -IMDb. Jack's Summary: Three friends, one of them a closeted trans boy named Kim, discover a magical plant that allows them to switch into different bodies. The two girls seem attracted to the magic because it allows them freedom from misogyny and bullying. Kim (the third friend) expresses a desire to change his body from the beginning of the film, and this desire is affirmed when he gains a penis and a flat chest. Momo, after realising Kim's identity. In a body that is socially received as male, Kim explores a gay romance between himself and a cis boy. At one point, Kim is asked, "are you in love with him, or do you just want to be like him?" That is a struggle that many gay trans men face, and it was interesting to see it explored in this fantasy setting. Kim is unable to use the plant in moderation, and conflict quickly arises between the three friends as the girls become frustrated with Kim's need to be male. Momo, one of the girls, is in love with Kim (the original version of him) and is desperate for Kim to return her affections, with some fantastical gender-bending occurring as she uses the plant to be a boy which Kim is attracted to. Kim towards the end of the film. WARNING: Heavy themes. If you do want to watch this movie, you need to prepare for physical violence, misogyny, lesbophobia, gay bashing, attempted rape, victim-blaming, arson, and gender dysphoria in response to menstruation. The f-slur is used by a character struggling with internalised homophobia, and the three protagonists are called the c-word by bullies. I thought this would be a sweet, fantastical coming-of-age movie with a trans storyline, so I was pretty surprised when such heavy themes were introduced. Ultimately, it's implied that Kim is going to commit suicide using a gun, following a previous discussion of firearm suicide. Entry last updated: 8 Feb 2026