My Transgender Life: Male or Female? I Am Who I Am

The personal stories of seven transgender individuals ranging in age from 25 to 73 are at the center of this Canadian-produced documentary. Male or Female? I Am Who I Am places each interviewee in a “hot seat” as they explain their experiences of being transgender, seamlessly touching on topics including upbringing, stereotypes, challenges, family dysfunction, and being an outsider. While the takes are different (one says “I see it as a rebirth,” another admits “I never knew I was ‘trans' until someone put that name on me,” and a third notes that “I believed I was mentally ill”), the stories carry similarities, including confusion, curiosity, family and partner reactions, coping skills (and not so great coping skills, including prostitution, black market street hormones, suicide attempts, and substance abuse), and physical changes to the body through chemistry and surgery, all shedding light on the many struggles involved. From a radio newscaster, to a retired teacher, to an aspiring nurse, nearly everyone winds up with some sort of positive note and hope for the future. A slice-of-life doc on a timely topic, this is recommended. [Note: also newly available from the My Transgender Life series at the same price is Paul Wears Dresses.] Aud: H, C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)