Hbo-Downtown Girls: The Hookers Of Honolulu

[Guest ChloëC]

Channel surfing last night, I found the above documentary on HBO. I don't think it will be shown again in the near future as it apparently was a July presentation and it's at least 4 years old.

But I found it interesting. The narrator/director interviewed four prostitutes in Honolulu who were all born genetically male. 1 is a post-op and has performed in a 'straight' strip club before being 'outed', one is a pre-op having had her genitals removed but is saving for SRS, one is fully a she-male and has no interest in considering transition, and the last dreams of transitioning, but isn't moving in that direction. The women all seemed rather intelligent and were all very passable especially the first, Barbie-Q, blond. It sounded like they could have found other jobs, but none that paid nearly as well.

All four women were very open and they even showed them hooking up with 'johns' with the women miked. And the camera followed some of the cars to secluded locations where some interesting conversations were picked up. The area of town they were in is known as 'Town' and it's assumed all the hookers there were born male, although some 'johns' still ask. Sort of a minature version of Bangkok, I would guess. It is interesting that the blond is still working this part of town, because I would think most males would never suspect.

The women didn't talk much about the seamy side and the camera constantly picked up police cruisers going by them and numerous other hookers on the street suggesting that they are left alone. Reading some other literature about this suggests it's not true at all. Nor did they talk about pimps, although the introduction to the piece strongly suggested that they are there in the background. None expressed a bad feeling towards street walking seeming to enjoy the money too much. (one did say that the tips received in club performances weren't enough to make any difference).

One article/review I read said some support groups were worried the documentary glamorized the profession too much. My worry is that people seeing this are again given the message that all transgendered mtf are sexually motivated, seeing as how three or four different points on the transgender spectrum were represented.

If anyone is interested in how some transgendered people get by, keep checking HBO as it may come back.

Hugs

Chloë

[JJ]

It doesn't help much that these women were articulate it still re-enforces the stereotypes about trans people and the lives we lead.

We need documentaries about the normal and societally functional among us and the struggles we go through to lead decent productive lives as our true selves.

We don't need more focus on te segment of our community with which we have been stigmatized.

JJ

[Guest Janis]

We need documentaries about the normal and societally functional among us and the struggles we go through to lead decent productive lives as our true selves.

We don't need more focus on te segment of our community with which we have been stigmatized.

Oh I agree, but the stories that would help us would be boring and not get requisite ratings that the shocking and sensational stories do. I mean compare that to my story. Transwoman IT manager for a major university, great relationship with spouse, kids, and friends, has been open and honest with her partner about her transition path, hasn't squandered her family's retirement, hasn't hid money for trans related treatment, and is active in trans outreach in her community. Really my story is not one that would be told as a documentary, because it is 'boring and mundane'.

Would some of our 'boring and mundane' stories be positive to the non trans society, yes it would. Will we see them, not bloodly likely.

Janis

[Guest Donna Jean]

Oh I agree, but the stories that would help us would be boring and not get requisite ratings that the shocking and sensational stories do. I mean compare that to my story. Transwoman IT manager for a major university, great relationship with spouse, kids, and friends, has been open and honest with her partner about her transition path, hasn't squandered her family's retirement, hasn't hid money for trans related treatment, and is active in trans outreach in her community. Really my story is not one that would be told as a documentary, because it is 'boring and mundane'.

Would some of our 'boring and mundane' stories be positive to the non trans society, yes it would. Will we see them, not bloodly likely.

Janis

BRAVO.......

*CLAP...CLAP...CLAP...CLAP*

"Boring" Donna Jean

[JJ]

I know-but I'd make one-find the right charismatic person it might work-the whole trip-but it would take too long. But as far as boring-look at Seinfeld and even Cheers and Frasier-it was the people. We have some pretty interesting people.

Actually even done with respect there is a novelty value. last night I was saying to my daughter a transman might be pregnant. Now how often do people get to hear anyone say"He might be pregnant" or hear a man giving women make-up advise. Done right could be funny and real and respectful. But you'd have to have trans producers/directors-otherwise they just wouldn't have a clue what was funny and what was rude.

Nice daydream anyway. best case scenario-people turned in out of morbid curiosity and stayed out of genuine interest.

"You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one"

JJ

[Guest Janis]

Nice daydream anyway. best case scenario-people turned in out of morbid curiosity and stayed out of genuine interest.

It is a nice daydream. It would be nice if we could have a quality story told. I feel I have a bit of charisma and could be entertaining enough. However my personal feelings, and I know several others that feel this way, many directors and producers cannot be trusted. What I mean is that they will spin some of the footage to make a more "interesting" story. Someone could mention something in an interview that may be an embarrassing, a foot note, but if they feel it will bump ratings they sure as heck will twist the story to make it seem like this was a major point. Especially if it will play to stereotypes. Think of how many documentaries show groan worthy unflattering or risque photos of a trans person when doing early cross-dressing.

My feelings are that we will not see a positive spin free documentary until a non profit channel produces one. Hmm maybe I should write a proposal to the local public broadcasting studio.

Janis

if it seems like I am up on a soapbox ranting, well I am. I am sick to death of seeing us be played as a stereotypical caricature of who we really are.