Elise

Director: Evan Sterrett and Jo Bradlee
Release Year: 2016

Released in 2016, the documentary "Elise" offers a raw and intimate portrayal of a young, black, transgender woman named Elise, who navigates the harsh realities of homelessness and survival sex on the streets of Washington, DC.

Directed by Evan Sterrett and Jo Bradlee, this twelve-minute documentary sheds light on the complex intersectional struggles that transgender individuals, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, experience in a society that often fails to support or protect them. At its core, "Elise" is a story of survival, identity, and resilience. Through Elise’s candid and often heartbreaking testimony, the documentary paints a vivid picture of the emotional, physical, and financial toll that societal rejection, discrimination, and economic oppression take on transgender individuals. Elise's journey is a powerful commentary on how systemic inequities affect transgender people - especially trans women of color - forcing them into a constant battle for safety, stability, and self-acceptance. The documentary is a crucial contribution to understanding the lived experiences of transgender people who, like Elise, are left to navigate a world that marginalizes them at every turn. 

 

Elise begins the documentary by introducing herself in a way that immediately establishes both her vulnerability and her defiance: “Okay, well my name is Elise, I'm 22, I'm a trans woman, a heterosexual trans woman.” She briefly mentions her personal choices and appearance, hinting at the complexities of gender expression when you don’t fit into traditional societal molds. Elise’s opening statement is a mixture of vulnerability and strength, signaling to viewers that her journey is shaped by challenges unique to transgender women, particularly trans women of color. One of the first themes explored in the documentary is Elise’s living situation. “My room is a little filthy, I'm not gonna lie,” she says with a matter-of-fact tone. The “room” she refers to is not a permanent place of residence but a temporary space she has carved out for herself in a world where she has been pushed to the margins. 

 

Elise explains that she lives out of a suitcase, constantly moving from place to place, a metaphor for the instability she faces. Her living conditions are a direct result of her homelessness, which she reveals started when she was just 16 years old: “I was homeless since I was 16. You know, my mom, she had put me out.” For many transgender individuals, particularly those who are young and without family support, homelessness is a tragic reality. Elise’s rejection by her mother, a deeply painful moment in her life, serves as a painful reminder of the challenges transgender youth face when their identities are not accepted at home. The emotional weight of this rejection is further revealed when Elise reflects on how it has shaped her ability to feel “comfortable” in any space: “You know, it’s kind of scarred me, because I can never seem to get comfortable.” This feeling of discomfort - whether emotional or physical - has been a constant throughout Elise’s life, as she has never been allowed the stability of a permanent home. Her homeless existence forces her to always be on the move, living out of bags, and to develop a coping mechanism that allows her to survive in a world that devalues her. 

 

In "Elise", the cost of transitioning and surviving is laid bare. For Elise, maintaining her gender expression is both a financial and emotional burden. She details the process of obtaining hormone therapy, which is not only expensive but often obtained through underground, risky channels. “Sometimes if you want the good stuff, you have to go to the street,” Elise admits, speaking of her struggles to access hormone blockers that are essential to her transition. The struggle for Elise is not just about obtaining these hormones but also about the danger of having to source them outside of the medical establishment, where safety and quality are not guaranteed. 

 

Her gender expression requires a daily commitment to presenting herself as a woman. “You have to shave and make sure your hair is done properly,” Elise explains, speaking to the societal pressure that transgender individuals, especially transgender women, face in order to be recognized as their true selves. For Elise, this maintenance goes beyond vanity - it is a matter of survival. “It’s a very difficult job,” she admits, underscoring the emotional and physical toll that the constant pressure to present herself in a certain way has on her. This pressure is compounded by the financial difficulties Elise faces. She needs money not only for her hormones but also for future surgeries and treatments that will help her achieve a sense of normalcy and self-acceptance. “I think I do want a vagina, but I'm going to need it to be functioning, you know,” she says. Her words express both a desire for completeness and a fear of the unknown. Transitioning is not just about physical transformation; it is a constant process of negotiating one's own sense of identity and confronting societal expectations of what it means to be a woman. 

 

The reality of economic survival is a recurring theme in "Elise". Homelessness and limited access to employment opportunities have forced Elise to resort to survival sex. This decision, often born out of necessity, is one that Elise describes with both regret and resilience. “I had to find a way to make ends meet. And, yeah, she resorted to the streets,” she says, speaking candidly about her choices. Survival sex is a difficult and often traumatic choice, but for Elise, it is a necessity driven by the need to survive and fund her transition. The documentary doesn’t shy away from the emotional cost of survival sex. 

 

Elise reflects on her first experience with sex work, describing it as traumatic: “I was very nervous. You know, I was actually traumatized by the whole experience. I actually laid there and just let this man just… I did nothing.” This powerful moment reveals the emotional and psychological toll that engaging in survival sex takes on Elise, who must perform in ways that are often disconnected from her own feelings in order to secure a living. Despite the trauma she has experienced, Elise shows a remarkable level of self-awareness, explaining how she has learned to “trick” men into thinking she has feelings for them in order to gain their attention and secure dates. “I have to sort of trick them into, like, you know, feeling as though I have feelings for them,” she admits, underlining the emotional labor involved in sex work. This façade, while necessary for survival, highlights the complex and often painful dynamics at play in the world of survival sex. 

 

"Elise" also highlights the physical and emotional dangers that trans women like Elise face on the streets. In one scene, Elise shows viewers her “trap purse,” a collection of self-defense tools that include a taser, mace, and a blade - items that speak to the constant threat of violence that Elise and others in her situation face. “The cops are over there harassing people. And I've seen a lot of people that do crazy things,” Elise says, speaking about the lack of safety on the streets. She also mentions how police often target transgender women for harassment, further amplifying the precariousness of their lives. The violence and discrimination faced by trans women, especially trans women of color, are compounded by societal prejudices and an indifference to their humanity. Elise’s experiences with police brutality and harassment serve as a stark reminder of the additional layers of risk that transgender individuals face when they are forced to live outside the system. These risks not only threaten their physical safety but also their mental and emotional well-being, as they are constantly reminded that their lives are devalued. 

 

Despite the immense hardships she faces, Elise’s story is also one of strength and resilience. “I’ve come too far to turn back now. And I wouldn’t change it for anything,” she says, reflecting on her journey of self-discovery and survival. Elise’s ability to endure, despite the trauma and rejection she has experienced, speaks to the unbreakable spirit that many transgender individuals must cultivate in order to survive. Her words at the end of the documentary offer a note of empowerment: “Because it's made me a better person. And I'm stronger. I'm wiser. And I'm prettier.” This affirmation is not just about physical beauty but about inner strength and the growth that comes from persevering through unimaginable circumstances. Elise’s journey, while marked by struggle and hardship, is also one of self-love, resilience, and an unwavering desire to live authentically. 

 

"Elise" is a deeply moving documentary that sheds light on the harsh realities faced by transgender women, particularly those who are marginalized due to their race, gender identity, and socio-economic status. Elise’s story is one of survival, but it is also a testament to the strength and courage that transgender individuals must summon every day in a world that often fails to support or understand them. The film challenges viewers to confront the discrimination and violence faced by trans people, urging us to reconsider the structures that perpetuate such inequalities. Through Elise's story, "Elise" becomes not just a documentary, but a call to action for a more compassionate and inclusive world.

 

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Image credits: YouTube