The uptick in anti-trans documentaries is inadvertently ensnaring trans people and supporters. Here's how to stay vigilant and not be tricked into appearing in a right-wing documentary.
Recently there was a scheduled "panel discussion" that was supposed to take place in Kansas City, sponsored by PBS and another reputable organization which has put on excellent, balanced discussions in the past. However, this discussion purportedly about the effect of anti-trans legislation on local kids and families was lined up to be a debate between nationally known anti-trans speakers vs local LGBTQIA+ speakers, only one of whom is trans. We raised holy HELL and told the sponsoring organizations this is NOT the play, because of the severe anti-trans bent of the panel, and that they were about to give their reputation a big black eye, and they backed down and cancelled the event.
Karen Kaffenberger gets all the credit for bringing this issue to the attention of our Kansas nonprofit organization, The 802 United, along with her husband who wrote a badass letter to the editor as a template for our communications.
Agreed, I recommend many in a pflag group not to talk to reporters who were out in force looking for a story during anti trans legislation. The main issue was these journalists were not familiar with the community and even if their intent were not anti-trans they could still do harm.
Thank you so much. I am sharing this information with as many friends and family as I can. It is a great way to encourage people to subscribe to your information.
I actually recently sent someone working on a documentary called The War on Trans America in your direction. I promise he is legit and not doing a “two sides” film.
With all the anti-trans propaganda films, we need more films telling the truth. Films showing the dark money funding this anti-trans movement, the 10 same detransitioners being flown worldwide, exposing the “medical professionals” who are anti-trans... all of it.
At the board meetings I Florida we always had the same detransitioners speak... many spoke multiple times... when many of us, like myself, attended every meeting and never got to speak. I looked at the speeches from the people flown in... all the SAME exact format, the same exact buzz words “I was persistent and consistent,” “I was mutilated,”.... someone is writing their speeches for them and someone is paying them all a lot of money.
A documentary I’d really like to see produced is the story of how much money has been spent in legislatures and court houses across the country trying to control, or eradicate, me and other TNGD people, compared to the amount of money spent in the same venues trying to effectively reduce the frequency of bullet holes in children. I’ll settle for a well-written investigative journalism approach, but a film would be far better.
Oh, while we’re there, we could also produce a nice film exploring all of the economic benefits brought about by inventive trans people who were able to be creative geniuses in no small part because we/they have been able to live fully and authentically.
It’s time for us to go towards an offense strategy, enough of other people telling our stories, time for us to tell them ourselves!!
That being said, Erin, you made a mistake in your post: Nashville is not a state, but Tennessee is. Tennessee—as you have repeatedly pointed out—passed extreme anti-trans legislation from its Capitol in Nashville, but I would hesitate to call the denizens of Nashville transphobic, when they elected Olivia Hill, their first trans lawmaker: https://www.advocate.com/politics/tennessee-nashville-first-transgender-official
So.....I have an independent film maker that has reached out. They seem legit from talking to them, to how they were connected to us, to the research I've been able to do.... Other suggestions? Also on the fence about how much exposure is safe.....
Recently there was a scheduled "panel discussion" that was supposed to take place in Kansas City, sponsored by PBS and another reputable organization which has put on excellent, balanced discussions in the past. However, this discussion purportedly about the effect of anti-trans legislation on local kids and families was lined up to be a debate between nationally known anti-trans speakers vs local LGBTQIA+ speakers, only one of whom is trans. We raised holy HELL and told the sponsoring organizations this is NOT the play, because of the severe anti-trans bent of the panel, and that they were about to give their reputation a big black eye, and they backed down and cancelled the event.
Good choice
Karen Kaffenberger gets all the credit for bringing this issue to the attention of our Kansas nonprofit organization, The 802 United, along with her husband who wrote a badass letter to the editor as a template for our communications.
Thanks for this. My tactic is to refuse any press. Period. I want no part of any "documentary".
Agreed, I recommend many in a pflag group not to talk to reporters who were out in force looking for a story during anti trans legislation. The main issue was these journalists were not familiar with the community and even if their intent were not anti-trans they could still do harm.
Thank for these heads-up tips. I really hate how the transmisiacs are winning when their propaganda has all the factual accuracy of a reality show.
Thank you so much. I am sharing this information with as many friends and family as I can. It is a great way to encourage people to subscribe to your information.
I actually recently sent someone working on a documentary called The War on Trans America in your direction. I promise he is legit and not doing a “two sides” film.
With all the anti-trans propaganda films, we need more films telling the truth. Films showing the dark money funding this anti-trans movement, the 10 same detransitioners being flown worldwide, exposing the “medical professionals” who are anti-trans... all of it.
At the board meetings I Florida we always had the same detransitioners speak... many spoke multiple times... when many of us, like myself, attended every meeting and never got to speak. I looked at the speeches from the people flown in... all the SAME exact format, the same exact buzz words “I was persistent and consistent,” “I was mutilated,”.... someone is writing their speeches for them and someone is paying them all a lot of money.
A documentary I’d really like to see produced is the story of how much money has been spent in legislatures and court houses across the country trying to control, or eradicate, me and other TNGD people, compared to the amount of money spent in the same venues trying to effectively reduce the frequency of bullet holes in children. I’ll settle for a well-written investigative journalism approach, but a film would be far better.
Oh, while we’re there, we could also produce a nice film exploring all of the economic benefits brought about by inventive trans people who were able to be creative geniuses in no small part because we/they have been able to live fully and authentically.
It’s time for us to go towards an offense strategy, enough of other people telling our stories, time for us to tell them ourselves!!
if they work for any unit of Sinclair Broadcasting, tell them HELL NO!
That being said, Erin, you made a mistake in your post: Nashville is not a state, but Tennessee is. Tennessee—as you have repeatedly pointed out—passed extreme anti-trans legislation from its Capitol in Nashville, but I would hesitate to call the denizens of Nashville transphobic, when they elected Olivia Hill, their first trans lawmaker: https://www.advocate.com/politics/tennessee-nashville-first-transgender-official
I meant Nashville, TN! Edited to be more clear :)
thank you.
So.....I have an independent film maker that has reached out. They seem legit from talking to them, to how they were connected to us, to the research I've been able to do.... Other suggestions? Also on the fence about how much exposure is safe.....