Transgender Day of Remembrance, occurs each year on November 20. It is a day to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and to bring attention to the continued violence frequently directed toward the transgender community. It was started by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. Rita was a part of the transgender community in Boston where she worked toward education around transgender issues.
Because of this day, the week from the November 14-20 is considered Transgender Awareness Week by GLAAD and other organizations and some groups also celebrate the whole month of November as Transgender Awareness Month. Below are documentaries Hoboken and other BCCLS patrons can check out any time from Hoopla!
What’s the T?
The T in LGBT stands for transgender and the award winning documentary, What’s the T? looks at the lives of five women whose lives began as boys. They are a diverse group including an actress, a student, a dancer, an activist, and a nurse. The film was shown at numerous film festivals and was praised for capturing the compelling lives of its subjects.
Growing Up Trans
The PBS documentary Growing Up Trans looks at transgender children and their families who are exploring what it means to grow up being transgender. It includes an interesting look at how medical advances are allowing them to make the transition before puberty and how this impacts their lives.
Out Late
On the other side of the age spectrum the documentary Out Late features five people who came out as lesbian, gay, or transgender, after the age of 55. LeAnna, who served in the military as a man, became a woman at age 60. The documentary looks at why they chose to come out later in life and what being out meant to them. Those featured come from a diverse cross section of North America including Canada, Florida, and Kansas.
I Am the Queen
In the Humboldt Park neighborhood in Chicago, the Vida/Sida Cacica Pageant brings together the Puerto Rican community to celebrate its transgender participants. I Am the Queen follows Bianca, Julissa and Jolizza as they prepare for the pageant. The women share stories of their transition, their relatives’ reactions, and how they find support in the community.
Do you have other documentaries or transgender resources to recommend? Let us know in our comment section!
-Written by Aimee Harris, Head of Reference
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 
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