Channel 4 in the UK are running a 4 part documentry following 7 transsexuals who have been given the chance to get together to share their experiences & help each other with the hurdles they face.
The 1st episode had me in tears several times, partly due to relating to the problems these people face & partly because I felt very jealous that these people have a unique opportunity to meet people going through the transition (something many of us never get to experience), it made me realise how alone we are in our individual journeys.
Whilst discussing our problems on this forum is a great help it will never be a substitute for human interaction, nothing beats being able to read a persons expression & body language, it's this missing element that I believe results in some of the arguments & crossed wires that we often see on these pages.
Anyways. . . . . I thought I would put a link to last weeks episode, I don't know if this link will work for those outside the UK (i hope it does work for you all) but here it is anyways.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-transsexual-summer/4od (http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-transsexual-summer/4od)
Thanks for sharing that with us :) I'll be sure to give it a watch.
This is the link for episode 2, once again I was reduced to tears watching this as Susan took the plunge & told her mother, the thing that really got to me was the support Susan recieved from Drews mum before taking this huge step & how well susans mum took the news.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-transsexual-summer/4od (http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-transsexual-summer/4od)
Within minutes of being given the news Susans mum asked what name she had chosen for herself & it hit home how badly things are between me & my own mother, after almost 10 months of knowing my plans to transition my mother still doesnt know what name i've chosen for myself, anytime the subject is raised i'm immediately met with put downs & condemnation so i've not managed to discuss anything of value, let alone my new name.
Then Drew explained how her life has come to a halt since she started transitioning, both these womens experiences seem very close to my own & their strength is an inspiration to me, once again after watching this show I cried myself to sleep, then within minutes of waking up I was in tears again.
I'm finding this very hard to watch but it's compelling viewing, several of my work mates have watched this & it's increased their understanding of what myself & others go through to transition, i'm extremely gratefull to all the people at work who've been understanding about this & would like to say a big thank you to all those responsible for this show & their attempt to increase public understanding, they've made a hard time a bit easier to handle.
For those outside of the UK, if you don't know how to set up a proxy server (don't ask me i'm clueless about that kind of stuff) i've found CH4's you tube channel, here's the link, I hope it works for you all
http://www.youtube.com/show/mytransexualsummer (http://www.youtube.com/show/mytransexualsummer)
http://www.youtube.com/user/therealityspot#p/u/12/cts4nFWHvDs (http://www.youtube.com/user/therealityspot#p/u/12/cts4nFWHvDs)
I'm so glad this is available to watch online!
I have been watching it as it's been aired and really enjoying it. It's done very very well and it's a nice mix of different kinds of people who all happen to be trans.
The last link worked for me. Watched about half....I'm hooked but have to get back to work for now.
I don't watch television! It is wonderful just how calm and peaceful you become after a while.
right on the loneliness. Even with 6 kids, work people, and Friends support, I still feel lonely.
I guess that is why I come here, to remind myself that I am not alone -thanks for remind me.
Jen61
PS It is so refreshing to find a thread that it is no high jacked by the "jail" crowd
Elle, a big thank you goes out to you for finding a link that works for those that can't use the links i've put up :icon_hug:
Jeatyn, I agree that ch4 have found a very good mix of people, they've managed to cover a wide range of trans people with only 7 people, now that word has gotten out at work more & more people have been catching up with this & this has increased understanding amongst the people I deal with on a daily basis, i'm very gratefull to ch4 for their efforts to raise awareness.
JulieC, I know what you mean about being hooked, even though I know that i'll probably get tearfull i'm eagerly awaiting the next episode.
Happy Girl, I know where you are coming from, I gave up watching the news many years ago & it made me a much happier person, nowdays my viewing is normaly limited to sci-fi, I do make an exception for don't tell the bride, come dine with me & Neighbours (my shamefull secret is out now :embarrassed:)
Jen61, if it wasn't for this wonderfull forum then i'd be completely isolated from my fellow transfolk so a huge thank you to all the dedicated people who keep this forum going.
What do you mean by the "jail" crowd? I've not heard that term before
When I clicked to see what I could , it said the channel wasn't available to me . That's a shame as I'm always interested in how people are coping in this difficult period . ellen
wow that is pretty cool serial
Quote from: eshaver on November 18, 2011, 07:46:23 AM
When I clicked to see what I could , it said the channel wasn't available to me . That's a shame as I'm always interested in how people are coping in this difficult period . ellen
It's on UTube but that may be blocked for you as well. My Transsexual Summer - My Transsexual Summer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jChinlq-0do#)
We all understand the reasons why program and DVD makers think they need to do this. But in reality, it will do little to stop pirating, since anyone so inclined can easily find ways to get round these restrictions.
All that the national coding really achieves is to effectively censor information for the law abiding.
Still, as a working class pleb, it's unliklely the luvies of the media are interested in anything I might say. Not unless I say it on my mobile phone!!
Perhaps Channel4 hope to sell the program to the USA for huge bucks where it will become a TV sensation, on a par with the shooting of JR. Wish them luck with that.
In the mean time, it is very sad that you and others outside the UK can't see it.
Quote from: eshaver on November 18, 2011, 07:46:23 AM
When I clicked to see what I could , it said the channel wasn't available to me . That's a shame as I'm always interested in how people are coping in this difficult period . ellen
If you are in the UK & have either cable or a ps3 then try 4od, it can be found through either of these providers, 4od also have the program on their you tube site.
If you are outside the UK then try the link that elle2011 posted.
If none of those work then let me know what country you are in & i'll see if I can find a link that will work for you
If you do a google search then there are sites for setting up proxy servers to view 4od outside the UK (what the hells a proxy server anyway??) like I said i'm a bit of a yahoo when it comes to computers ;)
You clearly know a ton more than I do. :)
I admit that it is almost impossible to watch the show from italy trough an ipad2!!!!
Hope someone has more clues about it, i tried proxy sites but well... Impossible for an ipad...
:(
Quote from: Sweet Blue Girl on November 18, 2011, 01:28:30 PM
I admit that it is almost impossible to watch the show from italy trough an ipad2!!!!
Hope someone has more clues about it, i tried proxy sites but well... Impossible for an ipad...
:(
Sorry to hear that it's hard to watch through an ipad, I have no idea about them fancy things (I saw one on tv once & there ends my knowledge!! :D) Each episode stays availabe for about 4 weeks so if you can get to a pc in that time frame you may still be able to watch it.
Quote from: spacial on November 18, 2011, 11:38:37 AM
You clearly know a ton more than I do. :)
I wouldn't bet on it, when I manage to turn on a pc without it blowing up i'm like :icon_dance: then after 5 minutes i'm like :eusa_wall: & then after a further 10 minutes i'm like :icon_userfriendly:
They're pretty easy to download as a torrent ;D.
I've got very mixed feelings about the show itself, having just watched the first two episodes. It's all a bit glib and soap opera, the impression it gave about the current success of phalloplasty was very misleading I thought, and for me of course there's the constant "trans women all want to be girly-girls" that leaves me feeling very excluded and isolated. But I hope to see them all becoming more and more happy, because that's the point.
Donna doesn't strike me as pushing the girly girly
She is actually exactly how I was as a girl :P very loud and butch and in your face
With the wide range of personalities & orientations I think it's impossible to cover all types of people with only 7 participants.
Padma, I understand where you are coming from saying about it being a bit glib & soap opera but this program is the best i've seen on transexualism so far, there was a program on cable early this year that featured one ftm & one mtf each episode & it seemed that every mtf was the stereotyped man in a wig who couldn't pass infront of a blind person.
Television producer have a long way to go in the education of joe public & this program is a good start in spite of a few niggles
This is hard to explain, but: when I say girly-girl, I'm not talking about behaviour, I'm talking about look. I feel very out on a limb because I would much rather end up looking like Fox than like any of the trans women on the show, who are all doing the long hair, makeup, dresses, eyelashes etc. thing that just isn't me (and because of which I feel very marginalised in my trans women support group).
I don't have any problem with other people being who they are, but I'm already getting a lot of stick for being who I am (from other trans women, and from The System, which can't hide its puzzlement that I'm female but don't want to look femme), and I feel that this show simply reinforces the public view that all trans women want to look a certain way, and what does that make me?
I'll get over it - it's early days for me.
I think its more to do with the fact that 3/4 of the mtfs on the show are in their early 20s iirc, if you have a look at the majority of early 20 cis-women in the uk then its hardly surprising that these girls want to have the long hair/dresses/eyelashes, theres a lot of preassure on young women be they trans or not to conform to certain stereotypes. If thats not the sort of woman you are and you dont need to conform to these stereotypes to feel good about yourself then congratulations but sadly society isnt very accomadating to young butch women, trans or not, so it should be no surprise how the young women on the show present themselves.
A second point i just thought of is that the trans women who have marginalised you have probably done so out of a sub-conscious self preservation instinct. With the emotional strains of transition and the constant striving to achieve social accpetance i think a lot of trans women will see a less girly girly trans women as a possible threaght to the validity of their own transitions?
Oh, for sure, I know they're being edgy with me because they're feeling insecure themselves, I'm not surprised at this - it's just hard being the minority within the minority, I could do with some more Amazonian trans women friends locally! And I'm tired of them assuming I don't dress the way they do, or wear makeup, because of "lack of confidence" rather than lack of desire ::).
But anyway, enough about me. I agree also that most of the crew on this show are under 30 (the men too) and that's significant in their behaviour and choices. And inevitable, given that TV shows are made for entertainment - they'd never have made a series like this about a bunch of 50-year old calm folks who didn't like getting drunk etc. :) - and I still think it's great that this is on the telly, because it is a step towards making people out there realise this is normal, we are normal.
Its definately the first program i have seen about trans folk that hasnt offended me :)
Tears tiaras and transexuals anyone?
Quote from: Padma on November 21, 2011, 04:33:58 AM
I'm female but don't want to look femme
what does that make me?
The answer to your question is unique, that's a special thing to be in this crazy world where every other woman wants to look like Jordan.
Eh, I'm getting over it now - I had to be honest and admit to myself that the main thing that was getting to me is that they probably wouldn't want me in their gang ::). I need my own gang - Suzi Quatro can join if she's good :).
Thanks for the youtube links, I just watched it. The people all seemed nice enough, but if I had taken a drink for every trans stereotype highlighted in this show, I'd be passed out on the floor by now. :icon_drunk:
Z
@Padma: How about we both apply for the next series (if there is one) and demand the andro voices be heard? ;)
Well, they've got my details on record from when I tried the first time - and I'll be healing up from surgery by then with any luck ^_^
I do think that this was well done, though - the producers interviewed loads of us over the phone beforehand and were aiming for a positive coverage of trans-folk, while still highlighting the issues we face, so in that way I feel they've succeeded :)
They're obviously valuing "colour" over any grey areas :). But it's TV, it's as I'd expect it to be.
Well, Donna gets by just fine and she said from the off that she sees herself as a third gender, so there's hope :)
On a side note, she's now my official heroine :)
Yeah, but they didn't pick anyone who wants to look androgynous :). It's still very much about boy<-->girl appearance. And fair enough, given that the majority of folk under the transsexual umbrella (since that's the term they're using) do seem to want that, and this show is not intended to be an in-depth study.
In my opinion this series is the best that has ever been done covering Transsexuals, as i have found that most in the past have wanted to make TS's seem like some kind of circus freaks and some of the people themselves have been over the top in your face girly types and as most of the general public like to label transgender folk with what they have seen on television, i find it somewhat annoying when im seen as being like them.
In this series you have what seems to be just 5 normal transsexuals (dont know if Donna should classed as TS as she has made it clear she has no itention of getting rid of her male member) who just want to get on and be treated as male and females. Have found it to be somewhat compulsive viewing, think Drew deserves a medal for keep on getting up from so many knock backs from employment and as for Donna, well if there is anybody out there who spends all their life worrying about what everybody thinks about them, then they should check this girl out as she struts her stuff without a care in the world and is a right box of fireworks.
Sent Channel 4 an email last week saying just how much i have enjoyed this series as it has portrayed TS's in a totally different light
I've just watched the 3rd ep, and realised why the series has been bugging me. I'm just jealous - I'm feeling quite isolated on my journey (a real lack of local sympatico trans people), and they've all got a lot of support from each other. Now that I've let that cat out of the bag, I'm feeling really moved by the series.
Quote from: Padma on November 24, 2011, 04:00:42 AM
I've just watched the 3rd ep, and realised why the series has been bugging me. I'm just jealous - I'm feeling quite isolated on my journey (a real lack of local sympatico trans people), and they've all got a lot of support from each other. Now that I've let that cat out of the bag, I'm feeling really moved by the series.
That's actually one of the reasons this came about in the first place - to get a group of people together who might not have met many/any other trans-folk before, and for them to support each other.
Actually, even if there isn't another - my will-be-ex support group leader runs a series of retreats that work similar to this series. They started off being guys-only, but he's thinking about a mixed (MTFs and FTMs) retreat in the near future - interested?
Quote from: Nemo on November 24, 2011, 02:01:40 PM
That's actually one of the reasons this came about in the first place - to get a group of people together who might not have met many/any other trans-folk before, and for them to support each other.
Actually, even if there isn't another - my will-be-ex support group leader runs a series of retreats that work similar to this series. They started off being guys-only, but he's thinking about a mixed (MTFs and FTMs) retreat in the near future - interested?
Your will-be-ex support group leader isn't someone to do with Transbareall by any chance? :p If so, I 'know' one of the lead guys as they are at my transmenscotland group (only been to one meeting so far)
anyway, I like 'My transexual Summer' but it's been awkward in class hearing people discuss it and not know that they're talking about people like me. I scuttle away stealthily if i hear anyone talk about it just incase I hear somehting unfavourable!
I did want to punch the wedding shop witches though. Very very ignorant and unashamedly so. Not impressed with them at all >:(
I'm watching the first episode now. So glad that the narration uses the proper pronouns.
Though I am currently suffering a serious fit of the jelly.
Quote from: Nemo on November 24, 2011, 02:01:40 PM
Actually, even if there isn't another - my will-be-ex support group leader runs a series of retreats that work similar to this series. They started off being guys-only, but he's thinking about a mixed (MTFs and FTMs) retreat in the near future - interested?
Hells, yeah. Whereabouts in what country? :)
Initially I had no intention in watching this, as I knew Id get jealous seeing other ftms who may have had "an easier time" getting treatment, or that look more masculine than me (as insecure as that sounds... :/ ), but my girlfriend watched and suggested I do. Now Im hooked, I dont watch t.v often, but I really enjoy it. As has been mentioned already, the portrayal of them all is positive. They are all normal, likeable, natural and genuine. I am glad I have started watching it.
It's the best show I've seen! I was a bit put off at first by the reality show format, but I forgot all about it as soon as I started watching. It's so wonderful to see a television programme with whole human beings instead of just patients.
Quote from: Nemo on November 24, 2011, 02:01:40 PM
my will-be-ex support group leader runs a series of retreats that work similar to this series. They started off being guys-only, but he's thinking about a mixed (MTFs and FTMs) retreat in the near future - interested?
Hell yeah! I don't suppose it would be in the UK would it?
I wouldn't be suprised if most of us would jump at the chance to get together & be able to talk openly with people going through a similair experience.
After watching the show I did start thinking that if I ever won the lottery then I would start up a retreat for TS's to get away from it all.
This week I won £2.70, it's not much but it's a start :D give it another 100 years & I may have enough ::)
Quote from: El Capitan on November 24, 2011, 03:44:35 PM
Your will-be-ex support group leader isn't someone to do with Transbareall by any chance? :p If so, I 'know' one of the lead guys as they are at my transmenscotland group (only been to one meeting so far)
He would, yes :) Not the one at your group, though - the other one.
Quote from: Padma on November 24, 2011, 05:20:53 PM
Hells, yeah. Whereabouts in what country? :)
Quote from: Jane on November 26, 2011, 09:11:47 AM
Hell yeah! I don't suppose it would be in the UK would it?
I wouldn't be suprised if most of us would jump at the chance to get together & be able to talk openly with people going through a similair experience.
It is in the UK, yes - they've recently found a better venue, although I missed the last one. Not sure where this'll be; I know the last place was in the Peak District. It is worth mentioning though, these things are deliberately kept to small groups as it offers a safer, more intimate place.
We do need more of these around, though - another reason this series started in the first place, so I hope we get more :) Have to say, the best bit for me isn't seeing the people there help each other - it's when the TV crew chat with cis-folk during a night out and get things like "Oh yeah, they really are just normal human beings.." Just a shame it takes something like this to open people's eyes, but can't complain..
Definitely very interested in more info about this UK retreat thing! It seems so hard to find any info even about support groups because everyone wants to keep everything hush hush, which I can understand, but it's frustrating
I'm interested about the retreat thing too.
Quote from: Jane
Who is Jordan? the baseball playing guy?
One thing that I find very random actually is that I was talking to my friend on the phone yesterday (he is the only other person I know who is trans) and he just casually mentioned how he had been called up before hand and asked if he would be on the show! He had just forgotten to mention when it actually happened :p but it just seemed so random that my friend could have been on it. He said if it wasnt for his Mum, he would have gone on it.
He apparently knows Lewis from the show and apparently after it all, Lewis got many donations from viewers that he now has his chest surgery booked. So, that positive came out of it.
Quote from: lilacwoman on December 03, 2011, 03:42:05 PM
Jane
Who is Jordan? the baseball playing guy?
Em no, English glamour model Jordan, aka Katie Price.
Lewis should have persisted in chasing his GP for top surgery as it definitely has to be provided by our NHS as per the EU regulations.
Any of the humna rights lawyers coul dhave pushed his case for him against the transphobic little hitlers of the nhs.
They didn't say they wouldn't fund it at all. They said they won't provide it before bottom surgery because of whatever crazy rational they're using.
Quote from: Keroppi on December 04, 2011, 08:48:30 AM
They didn't say they wouldn't fund it at all. They said they won't provide it before bottom surgery because of whatever crazy rational they're using.
That's still wrong. Any other place refers us for top surgery first - and not every trans-guy even wants bottom surgery. I definitely think Lewis should've fought them for it - as I told my friends last night, I'd rank that as more important because people can see that unless you bind.
As for the retreat - I'll find out about the new arrangements and post about it in the "Just For Us" thread :)
Quote from: Nemo on December 04, 2011, 09:08:33 AM
As for the retreat - I'll find out about the new arrangements and post about it in the "Just For Us" thread :)
Yes please :).
I haven't seen this programme, but I am sure it follows the usual television coverage of the subject. Lots of shots of ->-bleeped-<-s putting on make-up, getting dressed. Photographs of 'before' especially if the mtfs in the pictures are wearing military uniform or pictures of them as a groom.
Happy Girl, what is it that made you so sure it's like that (which it isn't), not having seen it?
Quote from: Padma on December 04, 2011, 03:45:12 PM
Happy Girl, what is it that made you so sure it's like that (which it isn't), not having seen it?
Well Julia Serano writes that transsexual documentaries often show these things. The long, lingering shots of people putting on make-up or getting dressed is she argues a way of signalling the artificiality of transsexualism. Also the images shown of mtfs in uniform or on their wedding day are shown to emphasize their male past writes Serano. FTMs are shown with long hair and flowery dresses the pictures are often from the childhood and teen years.
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 04, 2011, 03:41:35 PM
I haven't seen this programme, but I am sure it follows the usual television coverage of the subject. Lots of shots of ->-bleeped-<-s putting on make-up, getting dressed. Photographs of 'before' especially if the mtfs in the pictures are wearing military uniform or pictures of them as a groom.
Really? ::) It's bad enough reading comments like this (on another forum) from before the show aired, but to read it after it's finished airing all 4 weekly episodes? I'll repeat what I've said on that other forum below...
Quoteautomatic assumption that the show will be awful, channel 4 is awful for showing a show on transgenders, etc. just because there's going to be a show on television, without considering that they are trying to do things better with its involement with Trans Media Watch, On Road Media, OfCom, ..., trans support groups & tg people themselves. We complain about preconceived notions / discrimination on us, yet is happily doing it to others?
If you going critique someone, at least have some basis to make your critique from, like you know, watching the show first?
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 04, 2011, 04:32:04 PM
Well Julia Serano writes that transsexual documentaries often show these things. The long, lingering shots of people putting on make-up or getting dressed is she argues a way of signalling the artificiality of transsexualism. Also the images shown of mtfs in uniform or on their wedding day are shown to emphasize their male past writes Serano. FTMs are shown with long hair and flowery dresses the pictures are often from the childhood and teen years.
wow... so instead of watching a program you decide what it's going to be like by written generalisations from someone who wasn't talking about it in the first place - you must get so much out of life just from reading the tv guide, you'd never need to watch anything :)
I love this show :)
I enjoyed the show and my heart ached for them at some points.
Quote from: Happy Girl! on December 04, 2011, 03:41:35 PM
I haven't seen this programme, but I am sure it follows the usual television coverage of the subject. Lots of shots of ->-bleeped-<-s putting on make-up, getting dressed. Photographs of 'before' especially if the mtfs in the pictures are wearing military uniform or pictures of them as a groom.
the program is to show a transsexual so obviously needs a lttle 'before' history. nothing exceptional about that.
'the ->-bleeped-<-s' as you label them merely put on whatever makeup they feel they need - just like GGs.
Overall, I really love the show.
There are a couple of really unfortunate things about it though. It's very surgery centric with its focusing on Karen's surgery in the first episode and later focusing on Lewis's top surgery etc. Unfortunately this reduces their stories to their bodies at times. Which is less than optimal, especially because a lot of people are non-op (can't afford, don't want) etc.
The other major problem I have with the show is Chan 4, the tv station that produced it, didn't pay any of the participants. The 7 participants got 0 compensation for being involved in the show. Chan 4 basicly exploited the transgender community for rating and money making. Using sensationalism to get revenue and viewers, but didn't forward any of that to the participants of the show. The transgender people who really needed the money.
Also Fox never got much screen time, which made me sad. He's SOO cute!
The exposure has really helped the seven people though. Lewis is really close to funding his top surgery through an online petition. And trans stories are being told, which is better than nothing. In the end, i"m really glad the show aired on tv. It was fairly unsterotypical and fairly honest in its depictions.
Quote from: lilacwoman on December 08, 2011, 02:28:43 AM
the program is to show a transsexual so obviously needs a lttle 'before' history. nothing exceptional about that.
'the ->-bleeped-<-s' as you label them merely put on whatever makeup they feel they need - just like GGs.
actually. there was very little before/after stuff. The main times it was used was when Max himself shared his before to the group, and the cameras caught that. We never saw before for any of the other characters. Which was great!
And less, putting on makeup, tucking, etc. than i expected.