My Transsexual Summer

[Guest Shiratori]

Just seen this advertised on Channel 4 (UK/Ireland). It looks like it's going to be handled tastefully going by the trailer and website.

http://www.channel4.com/trans

Max, 25, has already undergone 'top surgery': a double mastectomy and male chest sculpting. He is hoping to become Britain's first transgender Rabbi.

Former policeman Karen, 52, is preparing for full gender re-assignment surgery. Drew, 22, is stuck living at home, and desperate to lead a 'normal' life in a world that constantly asks 'Is that a boy or a girl?'

Lewis, 22, is looking to raise money for a double mastectomy and investigating a phalloplasty: penis construction; the surgeries he wants to make him feel fully male.

Fox, 30, has only been transitioning for six months, and struggles daily to overcome his feminine looks. Donna, 25, is content living between genders, but navigating relationships can be hard.

Sarah, 28, has just begun to live full-time as a woman and is building up the courage to tell her parents that she has changed her life forever.

The decision to change gender can leave many trans people profoundly isolated, and this group of seven is no different. Though some derive enormous strength from family and friends, others can find themselves cut off and many struggle to find work.

Now they are coming together to share advice and support, reflecting a growing on-line community where many hundreds of transgender people have been making contact with one another.

By physically coming together, the group develops genuine friendships and gives themselves the strength to overcome some of the multiple challenges of being trans in day-to-day life.

[Carolyn Marie]

Thanks for posting the link, Shiratori.

A related article features another of the folks being profiled in the show, a budding FtM Rabbi. Good stuff.

http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/57691/britains-first-transgender-rabbi

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Lacey Lynne]

Excellent! Thanks for posting this. I'd seriously like to see the full series and wonder if that is possible online.

Lacey

[Guest Cyndi]

Shiratori,

Thanks for the heads up about this program, just set a reminder to watch! Always good to help educate the public on issues they're still so ignorant on...

Cyndi

[Guest Paul_London]

Watched last night. I thought was well done.

My partner has said she doesn't want to watch it, and I can understand why, but mostly was the 7 house guests talking to each other.

Looking forward to rest of series.

[Guest DebbieS]

I watched it too. It was ok I guess.....better than a lot of tele trams programs.

I was happily surprised that they were all comfortable about using the wrod 'Transgender' when joing about themselves. It showed a sense of humour. I know a number of trans people who have a real hang up about the term.

Debbie.

[Guest Cyndi]

Watched as well... Thought it was fairly well done although just more of an overview as to who all the house guests were in this episode. Looking forward to digging deeper in their stories and finding out more specifics of their journeys. Also really looking forward to seeing how the surgery went for the one woman.

My wife watched as well, although she's back in the UK visiting at the moment. Was difficult for her because I think it made a lot of the issues we've been talking about seem more real and not just hypothetical. Hearing her tell me she cried throughout makes me feel selfish at times for...being who I am I suppose. Wanting the things I do in the future, transition, maybe SRS, while the light at the end of the tunnel for me, looks more like the oncoming train to her!

Hopefully she learns a bit from the show and gives us more talking points when she gets back.

Cyndi

[Guest DebbieS]

Oh. I think my post has been changed. It would have been better to delete it as it doesn't make sense now.

Debbie.

[Guest Shiratori]

Excellent! Thanks for posting this. I'd seriously like to see the full series and wonder if that is possible online.

Lacey

Well, it's available on 4OD so I'm sure with a bit of Googling you could find a way to watch 4OD abroad.

[Guest DebbieS]

Part 2 tonight !

Debbie

[Guest Shiratori]

I just finished watching part 1. I thought it was very well done and handled the subject very sensibly without descending into freak show territory. Looking forward to part 2.

[Guest DebbieS]

Part 2 was on last night and was quite good.

The scene where they all went to the local was all nice. Having said that, it was in front of the cameras. Good on the guy on said he fancied some.

Debbie

[Guest Cyndi]

Very true, as the punters all knew they were being filmed, it might have altered the way they would have reacted otherwise... Overall, good episode. Nice to see that Sarah's mother didn't shut her out and was accepting, if not understanding.

I did think it was pretty horrible the way the one wedding shop owner said that "how could you not tell she was trans?" To say that right in front of Drew was rather rude and uncalled for.

Cyndi

[Guest DebbieS]

Yes, it wasn't very diplomatic, but having said that, she may not (stress may) have meant it nastily. If Sarah had been more open about it from the start, then it would have been ok, but as she wasn't....yes it was a bit 'off'.

Having said all that, to go for a job in such in such a shop was definately one of the worst ideas ever. I am MtF trans, and if it was my business (assuming I did not work there) I would not have given it to such a person. (I am happy to elborate on this if necessary). It's hard enough to make a go of a business anyway these days without introducing the possiblity of loosing business because of potential problems there. I'm just being honest.

Debbie

[Guest leo]

Great programme me and my girlfriend record it on sky and watch it when we are free. It's good for her to see other ppl in the uk who are going through what I am. she enjoyed watching it and it has made it easier for us to talk!

[Guest Wulfhere]

Yes, it wasn't very diplomatic, but having said that, she may not (stress may) have meant it nastily. If Sarah had been more open about it from the start, then it would have been ok, but as she wasn't....yes it was a bit 'off'.

I'm not sure what you mean about Drew having to be more "open" about it. Open about what? Being trans? Even if the cameras weren't there (which I assume the crew would have had to get permission from the owners to air the footage without bloating out their faces) no trans person has the responsibility of disclosing their trans status at a job interview or at a job, period.

Having said all that, to go for a job in such in such a shop was definately one of the worst ideas ever. I am MtF trans, and if it was my business (assuming I did not work there) I would not have given it to such a person. (I am happy to elborate on this if necessary). It's hard enough to make a go of a business anyway these days without introducing the possiblity of loosing business because of potential problems there. I'm just being honest.

Debbie

What do you mean by "such a person"? A trans woman? Or is there something else "wrong" with Drew in your eyes? No change in eliminating work place discrimination will occur if no employer is willing to uphold their own self-proclaimed principles. The women who owned the shop claimed that they didn't have a problem with Drew working there. If that were true they would have hired her and set a precedent.

[Guest Paul_London]

This was a great series. Shame only 4 episodes.

Was moved to tears in last 10 mins of last episode. Very moving.

Well done Channel 4.

(null)

[Guest DebbieS]

Hi Wulfhere

Thank you for your comments. I get the feeling that, rather than being curious about what I said, you are possibly a little put out by my post. So let me say that I am happy to answer you about these two items but I must tip you off. If it's posts/arguments based on individual opinions, whether they are formed from experience, belief in principles or reality, or just picking holes in my views, or whatever....I am sorry but I will not take you on. Years of experience my friend.

I'm not sure what you mean about Drew having to be more "open" about it. Open about what? Being trans? Even if the cameras weren't there (which I assume the crew would have had to get permission from the owners to air the footage without bloating out their faces) no trans person has the responsibility of disclosing their trans status at a job interview or at a job, period.

1) Yes, I mean open about being trans. I am not sure what part of that you don't understand so will pass on it.

(The cameras were there but because of the conversation a assume the owners did not know and may have just been asked to film an interview.)

With that last part, yes you are totally right that no trans person needs to disclose it.

What do you mean by "such a person"? A trans woman? Or is there something else "wrong" with Drew in your eyes? No change in eliminating work place discrimination will occur if no employer is willing to uphold their own self-proclaimed principles. The women who owned the shop claimed that they didn't have a problem with Drew working there. If that were true they would have hired her and set a precedent.

1) Yes I mean a trans woman. From what I can remember there was nothing wrong with Drew at all. She was really nice. So again, I am not sure what you mean by this question.

2) Yes, you are right about the discrimination comment.

3) Your remark about those that owned the shop leads me to believe that you have not owned businesses or employed/interviewed many people for potential employment. Therefore, having maybe not done all of these things, I don't believe we can find a common frame of reference with which to discuss it.

Having now watched the complete series, I still think it was quite good and not the usual 'television laugh/sensation' stuff that seems to come on. It would be good to do a follow up in maybe 5 years and see how they have got on.

Debs.

[Guest musicalice]

I've watched the first three episodes and I think it seems pretty good too. And I'd like to see a follow-up.

[Guest Cyndi]

I thought it was a well presented show overall... If you'd like to see a follow-up, get on Channel 4's website and tell them you want more. The more trans issues are exposed to the general public, the less stigma and ignorance is likely to prevail, not that it will go away completely.

The housemates showed great courage I feel to put themselves out there in the public light. I wish them all the best!

Cyndi

[Alex59]

Watched it as well I LUVED IT! I think it portrayed trans people in a very new (to them), realistic, positive light <3

Alexisxxxx

[Guest Alexx21]

Its on 4OD now , but i cant watch it as it has surgery in it that is graphic and it could trigger me into self injury ... i really wanted to see it as well

[Guest Vex]

I just came across this on youtube. I started crying at the end of the first episode when Sarah was talking about telling her parents.

[Guest ~Emmie~]

It's fantastic! I'm watching the first episode now, and I really, really like the way they're approaching the issues each person has; with themselves, presenting in society, dealing with hormones and breast growth and shaving and preparing for the day, and both the dissatisfaction and elation with the process; it really humanizes TG individuals in a way most media doesn't, as likable, normal people.

I wish everyone were supportive as this community; they all have such good humor about their quirks. I just want to give each of them a hug.

-Em

[Guest LauraJen]

I remember this well, although I missed the last episode unfortunately. I was gutted! I can't imagine how awesome it would be to live in a place like this in a community like this. Not sure I would have liked the idea of going on TV, though.