TRINIDAD Discussion Guide

Home , Jennie Livingston, Lou Sullivan, Marci Bowers, Tranny

TRINIDAD

DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY PJ RAVAL & JAY HODGES

Distributed By: Discussion Guide www.trinidadthemovie.com Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Page 2 About Trinidad How to Use This Discussion Guide Synopsis

Page 3 Directors’ Statement

Page 5 Trans Timeline

Page 7 Key Terms Core Concepts Transgender Terminology Additional Terminology

Page 10 Before Viewing Personal Reflection: My Sex and Gender Group Exercise: Gender and Media

Page 13 After Viewing General Discussion Questions Specific Discussion Questions

Page 15 Further Study & Exploration Suggested Resources Suggested Readings Suggested Films Acknowledgements

1 About Trinidad

How to Use This Discussion Guide

This guide includes general information on Trinidad (“Synopsis,” “Directors’ Statement”) and transgenderism (“Timeline,” “Key Concepts”) to contextualize the film, as well as classroom activities (“Before Viewing,” “Further Study and Exploration”) and discussion questions (“After Viewing”) to elicit active classroom engagement. Educators can follow this guide in a step-by-step fashion or can pick and choose the sections that best meet their needs. We do, however, encourage educators to screen Trinidad in its entirety and in one sitting, as key ideas and themes are woven throughout the film.

If you have questions about this guide or have suggestions for future editions, please contact us at [email protected].

Synopsis

Part intimate observational documentary and part educational essay, Trinidad acquaints viewers with three extraordinary trans women whose paths cross in an unlikely setting— the unassuming small town of Trinidad, Colorado. Located on the Santa Fe Trail, where the Rockies fade into the Great Plains, this one-time mafia-run, coal mining town is the destination of more than 6,500 transsexuals, who travel from all across the country with the same bold dream: to align their external bodies with their internal gender identities.

Dr. Marci Bowers, a “rock star” in the world of genital reassignment surgery, relocated to Trinidad in 2003 to follow in the footsteps of legendary surgeon Dr. Stanley Biber. Two of Marci’s patients, Sabrina Marcus, an engineer and founder of the Southern Comfort Transgender Conference, and Dr. Laura Ellis, a family practitioner, have hopes of building a bed-and-breakfast recovery center for post-operative transgender patients in Trinidad, but face setback after logistical setback—and find themselves increasingly at philosophical odds with Marci. Against the backdrop of Trinidad’s remarkable history of transgender surgery, Trinidad invokes the passions and gender politics of these three women as they search for their place of empowerment and belonging in the “sex change capital of the world.”

2 Directors’ Statement

We first learned about Trinidad at a friend's dinner party, from a guest who had recently driven through the town that she said was commonly referred to as "the sex change capital of the world." She had heard it was populated by cowboys and transsexuals that it had the biggest selection of size 12 pumps available anywhere in the nation, that it was a place where people arrived as men and left as women.

Everyone at the table questioned her claim, assuming the majority of sex changes in the country took place in hospitals in large metropolitan cities like New York and Los Angeles, maybe even Chicago—not in a small town tucked into the southeastern corner of Colorado.

The myth of Trinidad lingered. After a few Internet searches, we discovered that Trinidad's local hospital, Mt. Saint Rafael, was one of the few in the nation offering genital reassignment surgery (GRS). Through a unique set of circumstances, Trinidad's first GRS had taken place in 1969, performed by Korean War veteran and local rancher Dr. Stanley Biber. We discovered that, thirty-six years and more than 5,500 GRSs later, Dr. Biber was in the process of passing his GRS practice to Dr. Marci Bowers, an OB/GYN from Seattle who also happened to be a transsexual woman. A transsexual helping other transsexuals by performing their GRSs in the unlikely sex-change capital of the world, the one-time mafia-run, coal-mining town of Trinidad, Colorado? Suddenly we had turned up a few promising elements for a story.

We called Marci, who was open to discussing more about the history of Trinidad and her practice—provided we talk to her in person, in Trinidad. Later, we realized she wanted us to experience the town firsthand, beyond the sensationalized articles.

Several weeks later, after almost an hour-and-a-half drive from the Albuquerque airport along I-25, the barren landscape eventually gave way to the Rocky Mountains. Looming over the valley, Hollywood-style, a "TRINIDAD" sign indicated we had reached our destination. The locals take pride in the town's remoteness, calling it "an untouched gem" and "Colorado's best-kept secret." And to an extent they are right. Unlike most American cities, historic Victorian houses line many of the streets—and Starbucks and mini-malls are nowhere to be found, although Wal-Mart has managed to open a superstore on the edge of town.

Walking along Main Street, a straight road bisecting the town and cobbled with "Trinidad"-stamped bricks, we passed boutiques, shuttered storefronts and a surprising number of bars. We weren't quite sure where to begin, and we were a little taken off guard when someone in a large truck called out, "Welcome to Trinidad!"

3 Directors’ Statement

While we lingered over a late lunch at the Trinidad Diner, the waitress asked if we were new to town. Unsure how she would feel if we asked her to tell us about the town's transsexual history, we said we were just passing through. We eventually got up the nerve to ask her about Dr. Biber. She laughed and replied, "Well you know what he's known for . . . He's been my doctor all my life, and do you know about Marci? She just delivered my baby.”

The next day, we interviewed Marci. There were no dumb questions. She willingly discussed who the people were who came to her, what they were seeking, and her role in helping them align their bodies with their minds. We realized the story of Trinidad and Marci's practice needed to be told. Eventually, we met Laura and Sabrina, two of Marci's patients, who had moved to Trinidad to open Morning Glow, a bed-and- breakfast/recovery home for post-operative patients. At that point, the documentary took on a life of its own.

Many films dealing with transgender issues focus on "before and after" stories or the surgical aspects of the transition. While these are elements of any post-operative transsexual individual's history (and thus included in Trinidad), they are also the most sensational.

We feel presenting the women in Trinidad in their everyday lives uncover concerns and challenges everyone faces: acceptance, sense of self and the need to be who you are. We hope Trinidad helps viewers witness the significance of these women's struggles and encourages thought about their experiences and respect for their differences. We hope viewers will see an aspect of themselves in Marci, Sabrina and Laura.

Ultimately, we hope Trinidad helps viewers see beyond surface differences to the deeper elements of who we are as individuals. As Sabrina so eloquently states, "When people look at me, I hope they think, ‘If she has the guts to be who she is, then I should have the guts to be who I am.'" The experience of making Trinidad taught us this lesson.

PJ Raval Jay Hodges

4 1910: Sexologist Magnus 1952: Trans 1876: Hirschfeld coins woman Christine Mining town "transvestite" to Jorgensen fosters Trinidad, CO refer to a variety awareness of trans established of trans identities issues

1889: Mt. 1930: Lili Elbe San Rafael becomes first Hospital known recipient opens in of transgender Trinidad surgery

1969: The Stonewall 1977: Riots kickstart NY court rules 1954: modern LGBT trans woman Dr. Stanley rights movement; Renee Richards Biber Dr. Biber performs has right to play arrives in his first transgender professional Trinidad surgery tennis as a woman

1966: 1972: Trans women Sweden protest police becomes harassment in first country Compton to legalize Cafeteria Riots transgender surgery

5 21

1998: Murder of

trans woman Rita Hester inspires…

2003: 1986: Activist Dr. Marci Lou Sullivan Bowers takes establishes 1999: First over Biber's FTM Transgender Day practice in International of Rememberance Trinidad

1993: 2002: Advocacy Trans youth organizations Brandon Teena Transgender killed in Law Center and Nebraska Sylvia Rivera Law Project founded

2010: Employment 2014: Actress protections Laverne Cox 2008: Stu extended to becomes first Rassmussen transgender federal trans person becomes first employees under to appear on openly trans Equal Employment the cover of mayor in US Opportunity (EEO) TIME 6,500+ GRS performed in Trinidad

2009: Trinidad 2012: premieres on Miss Universe Showtime; opens Chaz Bono competition to comes out as trans transgender contestants

6 Key Terms

Below are some key terms and definitions related to gender, sexuality and transgender identity—including several that are utilized in Trinidad. Educators should note that language is constantly evolving and is a contested terrain—especially within the trans community. Trans people do not necessarily agree which terms are acceptable and which are not. Trans people also self-identify in a variety of ways, and the general rule of thumb is to use the descriptor preferred by the individual. With this in mind, educators are encouraged to not only review these terms with students, but to engage them in a discussion of language, and the challenges of expression and sensitivity.

Core Concepts

Sex The classification of people as male and female—usually based on external anatomy. Sex is generally assigned at birth.

Gender Identity One’s internal sense of being male, female or something else. Sex and gender identity are independent categories. By definition, transgender individuals are assigned a sex at birth that conflicts with their gender identity.

Gender Expression External manifestations of gender that are generated through social interactions—attitudes, behaviors and appearances. Gender expression is independent of both sex and gender identity: An individual can be classified as anatomically male (sex), but behave in ways deemed “feminine” (gender expression); an individual can self-identify as female (gender identity), but express attitudes deemed “masculine” (gender expression)—and so forth.

Sexuality/Sexual Orientation Used to describe an individual’s ongoing physical, romantic or emotional attraction to the same sex or a different sex. Classifications include heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual and polyamorous. Gender identity does not determine an individual’s sexual orientation (or vice versa). There are transgender people who identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, polyamorous and beyond.

Sex/Gender Binary The societal tendency to separate sex and gender into two—and only two—opposing categories: male/female and masculine/feminine. Sex, gender and sexuality may be more accurately understood as spectrums with a great deal of variation.

Transgender Terminology

Transgender (adj.) An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Sometimes shortened to “trans.”

7 Key Terms

Transsexual (adj.) A term used for an individual whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Some members of the trans community view this term as outdated and overly clinical.

Transgender Man An individual assigned the female sex at birth but who identifies as a man. Individuals within this category may use the term FTM (female-to-male) to describe themselves or prefer to be referred to simply as men.

Transgender Woman An individual assigned the male sex at birth but who identifies as a woman. Individuals within this category may use the term MTF (male-to-female) to describe themselves or prefer to be referred to simply as women.

Cross-dresser An individual who wears clothing stereotypically worn by the other sex. Unlike transsexuals, cross-dressers generally do not identify as this other gender. The older term “transvestite” has fallen out of favor.

Bi-Gender An individual who vacillates between male and female, often based on the context.

Genderqueer An individual who identifies as neither entirely male nor entirely female.

Transition The period when a transgender person begins living as the gender with which they identify. This may involve “coming out” as transgender to friends and family members, changing one’s name, dressing differently, taking hormones and undergoing surgery. Each individual’s journey is unique: Some may want surgery, some may not and some may not have access to all options due to financial or other reasons.

Genital Reassignment Surgery (GRS) Doctor-supervised surgical interventions in order to align a transgender person’s anatomy with their gender identity. Not all transgender people chose or desire GRS. Other terms for GRS include “sex reassignment surgery” and “gender reassignment surgery.” The older term “sex change operation” has fallen out of favor.

Pre-operative (Pre-op)/Post-operative (Post-op) Pre-op refers to a transgender person who has not undergone surgery, and post-op refers to a transgender person who has undergone surgery. While still used in the medical field, these terms are not relevant to all transgender people and, depending on context, may be seen as dehumanizing.

8 Key Terms

Gender Dysphoria The clinical diagnosis for transgender individuals, as specified in the 2013 edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Gender dysphoria has replaced the earlier diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. The necessity of a psychiatric diagnosis remains highly controversial.

Transphobia A range of antagonistic attitudes and behaviors directed at transgender people. It should be noted that transgender people face high degrees of violence, harassment, hate speech and exclusion. Other terms for transphobia include “trans-prejudice” and “trans- misogyny” (transphobia directed at trans women as it relates to misogyny).

Additional Terminology

Cisgender A non-transgender individual: an individual whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Out Being publically open about one’s gender or sexual identity, as opposed to being “in the closet.” Individuals who are not out about their identities as transgender people, and who are publically regarded as their desired gender, are sometimes referred to as “passing” or “stealth.”

Drag Queen A male performer who dresses as a woman for entertainment purposes.

Drag King A female performer who dresses as a man for entertainment purposes.

Intersex A person born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy and/or chromosomal pattern that does not appear to fit typical male or female definitions.

Queer An anti-gay slur that has been reclaimed by some as an umbrella term encompassing individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex. The abbreviation LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, ally)—sometimes also abbreviated as LGBT, LGBTQ and LGBTQI—serves a similar purpose. Queer can also connote a nonconformist sensibility and politics that are distinct from a more normative gay or lesbian orientation.

Note: Terms such as “she-male,” “he-she,” “it” and “shim” are generally considered defamatory and should not be used. The term “tranny,” as a short-hand for transgender, has been the subject of heated debate within the transgender community, with some viewing it as offensive.

9 Before Viewing

Prior to screening Trinidad, educators are encouraged to initiate a discussion about the film’s central themes—sex and gender identity. Below are two suggested classroom activities—a personal reflection and a group exercise. These activities reference the work of transgender scholar Kate Bornstein, and you can find similar, and additional, activities in Bornstein’s My Gender Workbook.

Personal Reflection: My Sex and Gender

Distribute the handout on page eleven at the beginning of class and give students approximately fifteen minutes to fill in their responses. This exercise will enable students to think critically about their own sex and gender identities, serving as a warm- up for class discussion on these matters, as well as the film itself.

Group Exercise: Gender and the Media

Split the class into small groups of two-four and provide each group with an ad from a magazine or online source (www.genderads.com has an excellent archive of relevant ads). The handout on page twelve contains a series of questions to get students thinking about the media and its role in reinforcing dominant sex and gender ideologies. Give each group approximately ten minutes to discuss and answer each question. Then, have each group present their findings to the class.

10 Personal Reflection

My Sex and Gender

Have you ever contemplated your own sex and gender identity? Well, now’s your chance! Answer the following questions in the spaces provided.

1. Do you now or have you ever believed that there is some bottom-line biological difference between men and women? ______yes ______no

2. If yes, what’s the difference?

3. Has anything in your life caused you to question this difference? If so, what?

4. What do you consider your gender identity to be? How did you come to this self- definition?

5. Describe your gender identity. What is unique about the inconsistencies in you? What combination of qualities makes your gender identity unlike anyone else’s? Where don’t you match up to the perfect gender?

11 Group Exercise

Gender and Media

Study the ad that has been assigned to you, paying close attention to its representation of gender. Discuss the ad with your group and answer the following questions. You will be asked to present your findings to the class.

1. Who is the target audience of the ad?

2. How would you describe the ad? How does the ad attempt to grab the attention of its target audience?

3. What gender ideologies (belief systems) does the ad convey—both overtly and subtly?

4. Does the ad include text? How does this text contribute to the gender ideologies contained in the ad?

5. What is the style of the ad? How do things like color, composition and layout contribute to the gender ideologies contained in the ad?

12 After Viewing

Below are some suggested questions for class discussion. Educators can use these questions to facilitate class engagement and to generate follow-up questions.

General Discussion Questions

1. Before watching the film, what did you know about transgender people?

2. Did your ideas about sex and/or gender change after seeing the film?

3. Name one thing from the film that made you think about gender in a new way. Why did this resonate with you?

4. What did you learn about the challenges of being transgender from the film?

5. What did you learn about the process of transgender surgery?

Specific Discussion Questions

1. What opinions do Trinidad’s townspeople express about the influx of transgender folks into their town? Were you surprised by anything that was said?

2. In the film, several youths answer the questions “What makes a man a man?” and “What makes a woman a woman?” What are some of their answers? What do their answers reveal about dominant ideologies of sex and gender?

3. Marci’s PowerPoint presentation includes graphic post-op images. Why do you think it’s important for her to include these images? Why do you think it’s important for the directors of Trinidad to include them in their documentary?

13 After Viewing

4. Marci prefers the term “genital reassignment surgery” to “gender reassignment surgery.” Why?

5. Sabrina talks about the “pains of being transgender.” What are some of the “pains” she has endured?

6. Laura, riffing on a famous quote from Jean-Paul Sartre, says that “we make other people’s lives hell as we transition.” What does she mean by this? Why does she still think transitioning is important?

7. Sabrina notes that the surgeries transgender people go through “were not invented for us.” What does she mean by this? Why is this significant?

8. Why does Marci object to Sabrina’s and Laura’s children calling them “Dad”? What does this say about the different ways in which these women understand their gender identities?

9. Both Sabrina and Laura express regrets concerning their surgeries. What are these regrets? Do these regrets complicate their stories of transition?

10. Throughout Trinidad viewers are shown photographs of Marci, Sabrina and Laura as their former selves. As the directors of Trinidad note in their “Directors’ Statement,” “before and after” narratives can unfairly sensationalize transgender lives. How successful is Trinidad in avoiding this pitfall?

14 Further Study & Exploration

Below is a sampling of resources, readings, and screenings related to transgenderism for educators interested in supplementing and extending class discussion of Trinidad.

Suggested Resources

National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), Washington, DC (advocacy): www.transequality.org Transgender Law Center (TLC), San Francisco, CA (legal services): www.transgenderlawcenter.org Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP), New York, NY (legal services): www.srlp.org Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC), Washington, DC (advocacy): www.transpoc.org Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), New York, NY (legal services): www.transgenderlegal.org