Winter 2015

Dear Donor,

In October 2013, we made our first trip to Providence, Rhode Island, to meet with individuals under the care of pediatrician Dr. Michelle Forcier. Several weeks earlier, we’d sent out letters inviting families of the youth Forcier treats to an open forum, where we would discuss our plans for What​ I’m Made Of, a​ documentary featuring teens transitioning with the help of medicine. We’d been warned that ours was a challenging undertaking: working with minors, getting access to medical information, broaching a personal and sensitive subject like gender identity . . . all difficult areas to tackle on their own, let alone together. So, even though we had a handful of RSVPs to our meeting, we were fully prepared to face an empty house.

What happened shocked us. Not only did our RSVPs show up, but people just kept coming through the door. As we rushed to make more photocopies and order more food, nearly forty people arrived at Youth Pride, the local LGBTQ youth center hosting our forum. Trans teens came. Parents came. Brothers and sisters, even a few supportive friends, came. In addition to their numbers, we were struck by the attendees’ passion and courage, by their desire to share their stories, and―perhaps even more so―by the fact that difference did not define the evening. All we saw were kids who wanted to fit in, be heard, and be themselves. We went home that night overwhelmed, humbled, and confident that theirs was a story that needed to be told.

What I’m Made Of has​ the potential to connect the transition of American teens with the universal experience of coming of age and, in doing so, to push the conversation about gender to a deeper level. There simply isn’t another film like it out there.

The teens participating in this film, behind the camera and in front of it, are showing us what they’re made of. Some teenage angst and attitude, yes. But overwhelmingly, hope, dignity, generosity, and strength. Will you show them what you’re made of by making a contribution to this important project?

With gratitude,

Jenn Hallam and Jane Renaud Co-Directors and Producers [email protected] 917.584.4911

What I'm Made Of ​ ​is a feature documentary about the lives of trans and genderqueer teens and one doctor who's helping them stay healthy, happy, and true to who they are.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY With production underway, we are now working to secure the funds necessary to continue filming and finish post-production.

Co-Directors and Producers: ​Jenn Hallam and Jane Renaud

Budget: ​ $475,000​ Genre: ​ Documentary

Expected Rating:​ ​PG-13 Format/Length: ​ Approx. 90 mins. Aspect Ratio/Sound:​ ​16:9 Dolby Digital

Project Status:​ ​Production Pre-Production Schedule: ​ ​February-November 2013 Production Schedule: ​ December​ 2013-August 2015 Post-Production Schedule: ​ September 2015-February 2016

THE MOMENT On the heels of major advances in gay rights, transgender issues are now moving to the forefront of the fight for equality in the United States. The media spotlight has followed. Gender-variant children make the rounds on news and talk show circuits; popular web and television series feature trans characters; and a handful of trans women ( and chief among them) are ascending to mainstream celebrity. But for all of this, we’re still skirting around the crux of the matter: how we as a society think about, talk about, experience, and impose gender. The time is right for a documentary that looks beyond school bathroom controversies and “trapped in the wrong body” taglines.

The December 2014 death of trans teen Leelah Alcorn points to the urgent need for this conversation. In her suicide note, Leelah described years of suffering and isolation, exacerbated by her parents’ refusal to accept her as female and therapy that insisted her self-identification was pathological. Leelah’s final letter called​ on parents to support their children, asked schools to provide earlier gender education, and urged readers to fix a society where humans are denied the right to define themselves and live authentic lives.

It is an unfortunate fact that trans teens are at overwhelmingly high risk for suicide and depression, particularly when they are not supported, accepted, and loved for who they are. What​ I’m Made Of is​ an opportunity to help change the equation for trans youth. It is an opportunity to expand the discussion about gender identity to include all of us; to model new, more positive ways of understanding gender non-conformity; and to point toward medical care that has the power to revolutionize what it means to grow up transgender.

OUR OBJECTIVES

Build Empathy What I’m Made Of aims​ to take a step toward building the kind of understanding and empathy that is needed to make our society one in which all young people feel safe and supported.

Inspire Hope By giving visibility and a voice to trans youth, What​ I'm Made Of promises to bring solace to other young people who are feeling alienated because of their gender identity and hope to those who can't see a way forward.

Raise Awareness Many―including those who work with children and adolescents―do not understand transgender identity; age-appropriate, effective transgender health care; or the concept of a gender spectrum. What​ I’m Made Of is intended as a resource for parents, teachers, medical providers, community leaders, and others.

Encourage Change What I’m Made Of has the potential to advance gender care as an aspect of primary health care; to contribute to the breakdown of gender stereotypes; and to inspire schools, insurance companies, the government, and other U.S. institutions to embrace equal rights for trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. Ultimately, we hope it will help create a society in which no young person feels restricted by, ashamed of, or unable to express their true gender identity.

THE STORY Adolescence is a confusing time for everyone. Bodies are changing; identities are in flux; emotions are running high. But for and their families, this stage can be a major life crisis. What​ I’m Made Of follows​ young people in the care of Dr. Michelle Forcier, an innovative and outspoken Rhode Island pediatrician who is helping trans teens make the transition to adulthood happier, healthier, and safer. It’s a coming of age story that challenges us all to rethink the way we understand gender and the reasons why it matters.

“Unlike any other resources, the narratives of teens such as those in What​

I’m Made Of help​ us understand each young person’s path to their authentic gender. In the process, these powerful stories create more room for each of us to be truly ourselves.” ​Joel Baum, Gender Spectrum​®

OUR APPROACH Filmed over the course of two years, What​ I’m Made Of documents​ slow but radical changes in the lives of trans teens as they undergo medical treatment, navigate relationships, and engage in the universal teenage task of self-definition, supported along the way by​ Dr. Forcier.

Unlike other media, What​ I’m Made Of attempts​ to demystify what it means to be transgender by introducing audiences to the idea that gender exists on a spectrum―one that we all fall on somewhere. Forget the old poem about what little girls and little boys are made of. We all have some sugar and spice and puppy dog tails in us. And even more importantly, each of us is made up of so much more than that.

Entrusted with extraordinary access to both Dr. Forcier’s clinic and the lives of her patients, filmmakers Jenn Hallam and Jane Renaud give viewers the chance to witness what it’s like to be a trans teen from the inside. What I’m Made Of takes​ viewers into exam rooms for a first-hand look at the leading edge of trans adolescent health care, then home with teens and their families to see the impact that care can have on everyday​ life. Raw,​ intimate, fly-on-the-wall footage lets audiences get to know the teens in the film in a very personal and powerful way—one that focuses attention on our common experiences.

From doctor’s appointments and surgeries to proms and birthdays, What​ I’m Made Of is committed to telling the stories of trans youth in a way that is authentic to real experience, sensitive to real feelings, and capable of producing real change. We​ want a general audience to reconsider how they think about gender and its significance. We want pediatricians and others who work with young people to understand how access to medical care can save lives. And we want trans youth worldwide to know they are not alone​.

“We know that if we discount their experience, even though it’s different from ours, and it may be hard to understand, these kids suffer harm.” Dr.​ Michelle Forcier

WHAT WE KNOW National studies show that when trans teens are rejected, isolated, and unsupported, they are at tremendously high risk for suicide, depression, AIDS, and a host of other poor health outcomes.

● 45% of transgender youth have contemplated suicide. One third have attempted suicide. ● 20% of young trans women living in urban areas are HIV positive. ● 40% of all homeless youth are transgender or gay. ● 80% of transgender students feel unsafe at school because of gender expression. ● Youth who identify outside strict male/female gender binaries are twice as likely as non-LGBTQQ peers to agree “strongly” or “somewhat” that they have experimented with alcohol and drugs.

Sources: GLSEN, “​The 2011 National School Climate Survey​,” Joseph G. Kosciw et al. Supporting and Caring for Our Gender Expansive Youth,​ The Human Rights Campaign and Gender Spectrum.

"When people ask me how can kids know they’re transgender—how do kids know they’re any gender?" Dr. Michelle Forcier

TRANS FAQs

What does it mean to be transgender or genderqueer? In our society, we tend to think about gender in binary terms: you are male or female. But a more inclusive way of looking at gender is to think of it as a spectrum in which a wide range of variations exist. Within that range, the majority are , meaning their gender identity and/or expression aligns with their assigned sex at birth. Others, however, are transgender, an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression does not match their assigned sex. Individuals​ who identify as genderqueer define their gender as falling between or outside of the male/female binary.

What is the difference between being transgender and being gay? Being transgender has to do with how we see ourselves (our gender identity), and being gay or straight has to do with who we are sexually attracted to (our sexual orientation). There are gay transgender people and straight transgender people, just as there are gay and straight cisgender people.

How does a teen know they are transgender? They just do. Scholars of child and human development have long agreed that gender plays a large role in identity, from birth through advanced adulthood. By age six, children clearly understand “boy versus girl” concepts. Just as cisgender children know inherently whether they are boys or girls, trans children know their gender identity, even when there is a mind body mismatch. If as a teen, a person has identified consistently, persistently, and insistently as a gender other than that assigned to them at birth, it’s a safe bet that they are trans…and that’s not going to change.

What does it mean for a transgender teen to transition? Transitioning can mean a range of things for different people. For some it means changing their name and preferred pronoun to reflect their gender identity. For others it might mean wearing clothing associated with their identified gender or undergoing medical treatment that will align their body more closely with their internal sense of self.

Does a person have to change their body to identify as transgender? Absolutely not. Being transgender is, first and foremost, about what a person’s brain tells them, not about what their body looks like, and everyone has a unique path toward gender authenticity. Some individuals who identify as trans have no interest in changing their bodies. For others, physical transition can take a variety of forms.

What medical options are available for trans teens? Mental health care professionals often play a crucial role in helping transgender youth deal with both internal struggles and external pressures. A host of medical options also exist. If a young person identifies as trans early enough, they can go on hormone blockers at the start of puberty. This will halt development until they decide what their next steps will be. For teens who opt to transition physically, at the start of puberty or anytime after, cross-hormone therapy allows them to develop secondary sex characteristics of their identified gender. Increasingly, teens may also elect to undergo various forms of surgery to reconstruct anatomy or otherwise alter physical appearance. Each of these options requires consent of parents or guardians, as well as access to able, knowledgeable, and willing doctors. Although some insurance plans cover expenses, many teens and their families must pay out of pocket. Costs can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Why present teens with medical options? Safe, legal, and timely medical intervention can not only make it easier for individuals to present socially as the gender with which they identify, but also eliminate the discomfort of chest binding, reduce the need for risky and costly surgeries, and decrease the that comes from looking in the mirror and seeing someone you don’t recognize as your true self. For some, the medicine offers relief and hope that, given the prevalence of suicidality among trans youth, can be quite literally life-saving.

THE PARTICIPANTS

A self-described rebel, DR.​ MICHELLE FORCIER (Hasbro​ Children’s Hospital, Brown University) rejects the idea that sex and gender are taboo topics when it comes to young people and health. “I work with teens who people don’t want to deal with,” she says. “They come in, and we open the door to all possibilities and all problems. And I tell kids: ‘Nothing will scare me.’” Nationally, there are only a handful of centers where transgender teens can receive the kind of treatment Dr. Forcier provides at her clinic. She wants to change that by building an “army” of providers who treat gender care as an aspect of primary health care.

“My​ interest is in offering a safe and caring place for those who are taking a unique journey to be fully and authentically themselves.” Dr.​ Forcier

JULIE is a sweet, shy, soft-spoken fourteen-year-old. Guatemalan by birth, Julie was adopted as a baby. She came out to her parents at twelve and began taking estrogen soon after. With few friends in the real world, Julie has found an escape in manga and anime, as well as an embracing online community that shares her passion for Korean pop culture. Still figuring it all out, Julie is thinking a lot about gender stereotypes and how she wants to identify and express herself.

“I hope that this film will help others feel more confident knowing that they're not alone." ​Julie​

JESSICA spent​ high school eating alone in the cafeteria, writing in a diary as her female self, and daydreaming about the star football player. Tormented by her body, she repeatedly engaged in acts of self-harm. At twenty-one, Jessica has been on hormone therapy with Dr. Forcier for a year. But until she has sex reassignment surgery, she’ll feel stuck: unable to leave home, get a job, have a relationship, or grow up.

“I yearn for this story to make a difference; one where a child whose body doesn’t match their mind can know: You can be your genuine self.” ​Jessica​

NICK​, sixteen,​ is your typical teenage crush. He works out, plays guitar and piano, and helps you with your coat. This past year, Nick has faced a lot of change: his parents’ divorce, moving to a new state, and switching from homeschool to public school. He also came out as trans and began hormone therapy with Dr. Forcier. Nick takes it all in stride. It’s been harder for his mom, who loves her son, but misses her daughter.

“Being transgender isn't the only thing that makes someone who they are.” ​Nick​

LI,​ a passionate sixteen-year-old, identifies as both masculine and feminine and prefers to be referred to with the pronouns “they/their.” Li’s depression has resulted in several suicide attempts and hospitalizations over the past few years. Li, their mom, and Dr. Forcier hope that the testosterone treatments Li recently started will bring some much-needed inner peace.

"I want to educate and empower transgender people, and support them like the community has supported me." Li​

Casting for What​ I’m Made Of is ongoing, with an emphasis on teens of color. We anticipate a final group of five featured teens in the film.

From the start, the health and well-being of the teens involved in What​ I’m Made Of has been a top priority for the filmmakers. With the assistance of doctors, mental health providers, social workers, and LGBTQ allies, they created a comprehensive safety plan for film participants. Every teen who appears on camera in the film has been through a meeting with a media advisor to discuss their reasons for wanting to participate, as well as the pros and cons of sharing their stories publicly. They have also met with a counselor or therapist who has assessed their ability to participate safely and helped them to complete a personalized safety plan for the filming process.

"These two filmmakers are giving audiences throughout the country an opportunity to learn about trans* youth from the most important source – the young people themselves.” ​Dr. Jo Olson, Children’s Hospital LA

THE FILMMAKERS

JENN HALLAM, Ph.D. is​ a scholar who studies art as a locus for gender construction and identity formation and a producer committed to projects with historical import and social impact. Her credits include PBS’s Slavery​ & the Making of America,​ for which she received an Emmy nomination in Research, and WNET’s cross-cultural series Art​ through Time: A Global View.​ From 2009 to 2012, Jenn was at Sesame Street, where she developed interactive resources around the show’s core curriculum, as well as outreach initiatives focused on food insecurity, military families, and resilience. Her educational media company, People Rock!, released its first album in fall 2013 and recently launched a comprehensive website for children, parents, and teachers.

JANE RENAUD is​ a producer and filmmaker specializing in stories about children and families. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts film program, Jane produced segments about public education for PBS NewsHour. Her twelve-part series about school reform in Washington, D.C., earned first prize in Documentary Reporting from the Education Writers Association. In January 2013, the series was adapted for Frontline (PBS), airing under the title The Education of Michelle Rhee.​ Her most recent project, Rebirth:​ New Orleans,​ is a feature-length documentary about the charter schools movement in New Orleans that premiered on Netflix in 2013. Her feature screenplay, ​Early Birds,​ was a finalist for the 2013 Sundance Screenwriters Lab.

THE ADVISORS

Teen Advisory Board To ensure that teens have a real voice in the project, the filmmakers established a Teen Advisory Board. Made up of trans and genderqueer youth aged 13 to 22, the Board meets in person and online to share ideas and give feedback. On completion of the film, Teen Board members will also be involved in shaping outreach and education around the film and acting as ambassadors in school and community contexts.

“One of the refreshing things about this film is that Jane and Jenn really utilized their Teen Advisory Board to hold them accountable to the content. We're having a pivotal moment in the LGBT movement, and the narratives of transgender youth are vital to our progress.”

Tiq Milan, GLAAD

Professional Advisory Board The film’s Professional Advisory Board is made up of doctors, allies, and advocates nationwide who provide feedback, guidance, and assistance with community engagement.

● Joel Baum, Senior Director, Professional Development & Family Services, Gender Spectrum® ● Jenn Burleton, Executive Director, TransActive Gender Center ● Kerri Kanelos, Director, Youth Pride, Inc. (YPI) ● Don Laliberte, Director of Social Services, Crossroads Rhode Island ● Eric Lulow, Public Health Advisor and Youth Advocacy Specialist ● Tiq Milan, Senior Media Strategist, GLAAD ● Dr. Johanna Olson, Children’s Hospital LA ● Michele Paliotta, LICSW ● Lillian Rivera, Director of Advocacy & Capacity Building, Hetrick-Martin Institute ● Dr. Stephen Rosenthal, USCF Benioff Children's Hospital ● Jaye Watts, LCSW, MT-BC

"Working with teenagers every day, I see first-hand how important popular culture is in their development. LGBTQQ youth, especially, are always searching for books, movies, stories, and characters that closely resemble their own identities. It is often hard to find realistic, positive stories. ​I​ know that What​ I’m Made Of will become a film that is watched regularly in our drop-in center." Kerri​ Kanelos, Youth Pride, Inc.

DISTRIBUTION AND OUTREACH Reaching a broad, mainstream audience is key to our goals of raising awareness, increasing acceptance, and challenging the status quo regarding gender norms. We foresee a multi-pronged approach to distributing the film, which we will submit to influential film festivals such as Sundance and Tribeca, pitch to broadcasters such as HBO and PBS, and make available through video servers such as Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

In addition to teens, parents, and educators, both within and without the LGBTQ community, we are also looking for viewership among the medical community, specifically pediatricians who are on the frontline of adolescent care but may not be thinking about gender in their practice. Once the film is completed, we plan to spearhead a community engagement campaign that will bring the film to high schools and universities, medical schools, and community organizations.

PROJECT STATUS Thanks to the generosity of a private donor, we were able to begin meeting with our Teen Advisory Board in fall 2013 and to start filming in December of that year.

However, without additional funds, we risk missing critical moments in the lives our participants, who are growing up and transitioning in real time.

We are now seeking to raise $450,000 to continue production and bring What​ I’m Made Of through post-production. With your help, we anticipate completing the film by early 2016.

YOUR DONATION Film is powerful. It can reach hundreds, thousands, even millions of people and present those people with a perspective they might not otherwise consider. Making a donation to What​ I’m Made Of is​ about more than supporting a movie. It’s about furthering the call for social justice for individuals who don’t identify within the confines of traditional gender boxes. It’s about investing in the health and well-being of young people. And it’s about creating a society in which people are free to be whoever they are, whatever they’re made of.

Your contribution to ​What I’m Made Of will​ provide funds for:

Continued Filming [$240,000] We anticipate an additional 6–8 months of filming in the New England area. Our filming budget includes the costs of crew, equipment, transportation, and accommodations, as well as insurance fees and legal services.

Post-Production [$210,000] The post-production budget covers editing, sound mixing, color correction, music and image rights, titling, graphics, closed captioning, and other packaging elements.

HOW TO DONATE Donations to What​ I’m Made Of can​ be made directly to Hallam Renaud LLC as follows:

● Send a check payable to Hallam Renaud LLC to Jane Renaud, 526 Henry Street #4, Brooklyn, NY 11231

You can also donate through our fiscal sponsor, New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT). When you donate through NYWIFT, the organization collects a 7% administrative fee in exchange for lending us its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)3 organization. This allows you to receive a tax deduction for your contribution to our film. If you’d like to receive a tax deduction:

● Send a check payable to NYWIFT with ​What I’m Made Of in​ the memo line to ​New York Women in Film & Television, 6 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

$50,000+ (2 available) Executive Producer Credit Recognized in film credits Recognized on DVD packaging Recognized on film website Invitation to a private pre-release screening and dinner with the filmmakers and film participants Invitation to film wrap party

$25,000+ (3 available) Co-Producer Credit Recognized in film credits Recognized on DVD packaging Recognized on film website Invitation to a pre-release screening with filmmakers and advisory board members

$10,000+ (20 available) Recognized in film credits Recognized on film website Invitation to a pre-release screening with filmmakers and advisory board members

$5,000 (unlimited) Recognized in film credits Recognized on film website Visit from filmmakers to discuss filmmaking and/or gender issues with you or a group or organization of your choice. In person or virtual depending on location Invitation to a meet-the-filmmakers party (local) or group video chat (non-local)

$2,500 (unlimited) Recognized in film credits Recognized on film website Invitation to a meet the filmmakers party (local) or group video chat (non-local)

$1,000 (unlimited) Recognized in film credits Recognized on film website

Customized sponsorship packages are also available upon request. Our recognized sponsor levels come with extra perks, but gifts of any amount are accepted and appreciated. Please consider checking with your employer about possible matching gift programs, which could double the impact of your contribution. Donations in the form of goods and services are also welcomed. This could include sound, video, or editing equipment; transportation; and accommodations.