Transkids

Director: Hilla Medalia
Release Year: 2019

In 2019, Transkids, a thought-provoking documentary series directed by Hilla Medalia, aired on Israeli television. The series follows the journey of four Israeli teenagers - Romy, Liron, Noam, and Ofri - who navigate the transformative process of gender transition in a society marked by its unique social and cultural complexities. As transgender youths, these teens grapple with life-changing decisions around identity, acceptance, and survival, all while operating within a system that is deeply influenced by mandatory military service and Orthodox Jewish traditions.

 

The teenagers featured in Transkids come from diverse backgrounds: Tel Aviv's middle class, the conservative religious settlements, and marginalized periphery areas. Each of these teens faces unique challenges as they undergo gender transitions that are not just physical, but emotional and psychological as well. The documentary provides an intimate look into their lives, highlighting how they navigate their personal journeys, deal with familial support (or lack thereof), and face societal expectations in a country where the military is mandatory and Orthodox Jewish laws and customs shape much of daily life. 

 

One of the central themes of Transkids is the tension between the private and the public, and how these teens confront not only their own gender identities but also the larger structures that influence them. Although the families of the teens in the film generally appear accepting, it becomes clear that this journey has been anything but easy for any of them. The process of gender transition is shown to be a long and complicated one, marked by deep internal and external struggles. While all the families express some level of support, it’s clear that the road to acceptance has been fraught with challenges, and much of the emotional labor involved in these transitions started well before the camera began rolling. The documentary touches upon several personal issues, some more explicitly than others. For instance, the struggles of Ofri in school and Romy’s battles with self-hatred and anorexia are briefly mentioned, but the film does not delve deeply into these topics. 

 

There is a brief glimpse of one teen interacting with his girlfriend, but the majority of the teens in the film openly disavow any interest in romantic relationships, focusing instead on their gender identities and the process of transitioning. This omission may leave some viewers wishing the film had explored these dimensions more thoroughly, as they offer important insights into the complexities of being a transgender teen in Israel. Transkids originally aired as a television series and was shot over a period of four years. This extended filming time allows the documentary to provide a long-term view of the gender transition process, showing the teens' journeys across various life stages, including their home lives, experiences in school, interactions with the medical system, and the requirement of military enlistment. These elements, combined with the cultural and societal challenges of growing up in Israel, elevate the series beyond a typical coming-of-age story. At its heart, Transkids gives the audience an intimate and unapologetic look at the voices of the transgender youth themselves. The teens openly reflect on their paths to understanding their gender identities and the hurdles they face in a society that has not always been supportive of their choices. 

 

While the documentary emphasizes the importance of hearing from trans youth, it also highlights the critical role that parents and caregivers play in this process. Many trans advocates argue that the focus should remain solely on trans youth, but Transkids shows how the parents, too, are crucial figures in these transitions, whether they are supportive or not. The film provides a nuanced portrayal of the parents' varying levels of acceptance and understanding, revealing both their involvement in the transition process and, at times, their ignorance or missteps. One particularly difficult aspect of the documentary is the portrayal of the often complicated and uncomfortable interactions between the teens and their families. Several of these moments may be difficult for viewers to watch. For example, Ofri's grandmother is shown challenging his gender identity and questioning his medical decisions, at one point even suggesting that his suicidal thoughts while living as an assigned female were not “courageous.” In these scenes, Ofri’s mother is largely passive, failing to intervene when the grandmother tries to derail a meeting with Ofri’s surgeon.

 

In contrast, the film also shows moments when the parents become crucial allies, supporting their children in their transitions by meeting with medical professionals, handling name-change procedures, and navigating the bureaucratic challenges of gender recognition. These interactions are not just supportive but also demonstrate the often difficult and imperfect role that adults play in the lives of these teens. The latter half of the documentary shifts its focus to the teens’ deliberations about joining the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), an unavoidable consideration for young people in Israel. This transition brings to the forefront the issue of “pinkwashing,” a term that critiques the use of LGBTQ+ rights as a tool for states or organizations to present themselves as progressive, while simultaneously masking other violent or undemocratic policies. In the context of Israel, pinkwashing is often discussed in relation to the country’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its broader geopolitical conflicts. Transkids subtly touches on these issues, raising questions about how the LGBTQ+ community in Israel is treated in light of the country's ongoing conflict and the complex political realities it faces. 

 

In one striking moment, a local newspaper feature about Romy describes her estranged father’s side of the family as “backwards Moroccans,” referencing the tension between different cultural groups within Israeli society. Later, Romy’s mother asserts that it would be wrong for Romy not to serve in the Israeli army, framing her military service as a duty to the Zionist cause. This tension between the personal and the political is a key theme throughout the series, and instructors may find it useful to provide additional context on the Israeli military, Jewish settlements, and the laws surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Israel to deepen viewers' understanding of the cultural backdrop of the film. Transkids offers an important window into the lives of transgender youth in Israel, but it also raises larger questions about identity, culture, and the role of the state in shaping personal narratives. The documentary’s rich portrayal of the teens’ internal and external struggles provides a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of gender, culture, religion, and politics in Israel. For those unfamiliar with the country’s social and political landscape, additional research into these areas would enhance the viewing experience. 

 

Furthermore, Transkids serves as an invaluable resource for those studying LGBTQ+ issues in non-Western contexts, shedding light on the unique challenges faced by transgender youth in a society that is at once progressive and conservative, welcoming and exclusionary. In conclusion, Transkids is a powerful and nuanced documentary series that provides a rare, in-depth look at the gender transition process in the context of Israeli society. While it could have gone deeper into certain personal issues and cultural dynamics, it succeeds in offering a comprehensive view of the lives of four transgender teens navigating their identities, family relationships, and the larger societal forces at play. With its sensitive portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of these young people, Transkids stands out as a significant contribution to the LGBTQ+ documentary genre, offering vital insights into the lives of transgender youth in Israel and beyond.

 

via: youtube
imdb.com and ffc.twu.edu

Image credits: YouTube