Watch The Powerful Trailer For Katie Couric’s ‘Gender Revolution’ Doc

[stephaniec]

Watch The Powerful Trailer For Katie Couric's 'Gender Revolution' Doc

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/katie-couric-trailer-gender-revolution_us_587fc89fe4b00d44838ca590?utm_hp_ref=transgender

The Huffington Post/By James Michael Nichols 01/18/2017 04:29 pm ET

"We're only a few short weeks away from the premiere of Katie Couric's documentary that explores the complexities and nuances of gender and our world ― and now the groundbreaking project has a new trailer.
"Gender Revolution," slated for premiere on Feb. 6, is tied to a special issue of National Geographic magazine of the same name. "

[Asche]

Our support group got to watch this last night.

On the whole, I thought it was pretty good.  There wasn't anything that was inaccurate and little that I could quibble with.  It didn't have anything I didn't know about, other than the individual stories.  Kathy Rumer makes an appearance, among other things explaining why they don't call it "Gender Affirmation Surgery."  Quite a few trans kids.  Renee Richards appears and Ms. Couric interviews her together with the young trans model Hari Nef.  It's amusing to see their different takes, esp. on binary vs. non-binary.  You see the generation divide.

The best part was what we didn't see: the opposing view from transphobes "for balance."  No Kenneth Zucker, no Paul McHugh, no you name it.  Just explanations and people telling about their lives.

I'm not sure how effective it will be at educating people.  Our trans group was joined by some cis people, mainly parents and older gay men.  The parents of course were up to date, but the gay men had a really hard time understanding even basic stuff.

Anyway, I would recommend seeing it if you can.  It's on tonight, at least in the US, but I'm not sure what time.

[Denise]

I actually got teary eyed at one point (this E stuff is fun ). 

I thought for a two hour program she and the editing staff did a great job.  The show was broken-up into segments about different aspects of Gender starting with how, we believe, Gender is determined in the womb, intersex, youth, teens, late-in-life, legal issues and (I need to watch the last 30 minutes, it's on my DVR). 

I think it would be possible to break this one episode out into a mini-series with each segment being an hour or two with more interviews and talking about the social aspects more.

If you didn't get a chance to see it - it's repeating Friday night at 9:00 America-Eastern time on the National Geographic channel.  If you have a cable subscription you can watch it on-line at http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/gender-revolution-a-journey-with-katie-couric/videos/gender-revolution-a-journey-with-katie-couric1/

[Georgette]

Kathy Rumer makes an appearance, among other things explaining why they don't call it "Gender Affirmation Surgery." 
Renee Richards appears and Ms. Couric interviews her together with the young trans model Hari Nef.  It's amusing to see their different takes, esp. on binary vs. non-binary.  You see the generation divide.

As an old timer, I do find the interesting names for bottom surgery.
Back in 50s, Christine Jorgensen, they called hers the "Sex Change",  My day 70s, just "SRS'.  I have heard SRS (also known as gender confirmation surgery, gender reassignment surgery, genital reconstruction surgery, sex realignment surgery, or, colloquially, a sex change) and "GAS".  Laughed about the name GAS, never even noticed that.

I loved seeing Dr Bowers.  She and my partner were both patients of Dr Stanley Biber.

And the time with Renee Richards, she being a contemporary of mine in time and attitudes, and Hari Nef.  I am very much a Binary MtF myself, but am trying to understand all the Non-Binary ideas.

[Tessa James]

And the time with Renee Richards, she being a contemporary of mine in time and attitudes, and Hari Nef.  I am very much a Binary MtF myself, but am trying to understand all the Non-Binary ideas.

I appreciate your attitude about non binary folks Georgette and hope you won't mind a question about our history.  I have read accounts of the fortunate few who got through the far more rigid and restrictive screening processes to arrive at GCS/SRS.  Apparently only a dozen people from thousands of applicants might be selected by the team at John Hopkins for example?  Were you then screened for the ability and commitment to go stealth and start a completely new life?  Would that have necessarily screened out those with ambiguity about their identity or goals?  Even in the 90s I was persuaded to forget transitioning with my less than certain narrative and goals.  You have a unique perspective to share, yes?  Thank you.

[Lady Sarah]

I found it informative, as I have been out of the loop with other trans folk for quite some time. I prefer the show be called something I saw mentioned, because Gender Evolution seems to make more sense. The only Revolution I see is the conservatives revolting against us for having the guts to use a public restroom.

[Dena]

I appreciate your attitude about non binary folks Georgette and hope you won't mind a question about our history.  I have read accounts of the fortunate few who got through the far more rigid and restrictive screening processes to arrive at GCS/SRS.  Apparently only a dozen people from thousands of applicants might be selected by the team at John Hopkins for example?  Were you then screened for the ability and commitment to go stealth and start a completely new life?  Would that have necessarily screened out those with ambiguity about their identity or goals?  Even in the 90s I was persuaded to forget transitioning with my less than certain narrative and goals.  You have a unique perspective to share, yes?  Thank you.

I started the final therapy group in 1979 and the standards were half your electrolysis, a year of HRT, a year of RLE, group therapy twice a month and you pay your medical expenses (cash or insurance). Being totally stealth and leaving your old life were not a requirement. Many transitioned in their old life though unfortunately I wasn't able to. After you met the requirement, my doctor would write one letter and another would write the second. It was about a 3 months wait and you would make the trip to receive your surgery.

[Georgette]

I had very certain narrative ( ? on just what that means) and goals.  I was in the IT computer maintenance field.  I may had some problems along the way, BUT I never regret going thru all of it.  My partner always said we were the Guinea Pigs for all the doctors and studies.

I am still working the idea of Non-Binary out in my head.  I have met about a half dozen or so, some MtF or FtM, who identify as such.  Talking and reading about some of the stories and meeting one FtM very Non-Conforming person. 

Looking back I may have been a Non-Conforming type during my transition, but had never heard of any such thing back then.  There was NO way such presentation would have been able to hold a business career.

I wasn't even to sure what my going ahead would be.  Most that I knew were either self employed or retired.  I just knew I couldn't stay the way I was.

Actually in mid to late 70s, there were not many restrictions.

I think I wrote to John Hopkins, but they were expensive, and I think they were cutting back.  I wrote to the surgeons at U of VA Charlottesville.  My partner went to Dr Biber in Colorado.

I had at least 1 year or more of HRT, and electrolysis was pretty much done.  I had to get a letter from a Psychiatrist, never heard of any Gender Therapy available.  Did have to make a visit at U of VA for evaluation.  This was a lot of interviews and standard Pysch tests.  Did have to pay all medical expenses up front on check in.
I was able to transition at my current employer, Sperry Univac, of a couple of years up to that time, mid 74 late 76.  Most required 1 year of RLE but I was able to get that shortened by many letters between my employer and Surgeons.
Got employer to accept my transition in DEC 76, started working as female in MAY 77, had surgery in SEP 77.  They were worried about the legal part.

NO requirement to go stealth or start a new life.

I'm not sure I could have survived with any more restrictions.

I never took much notes or photos from then, so some things are a little hazy with time.