"Trans in Trumpland" is a four-episode docuseries released in 2021, directed by Tony Zosherafatain. This groundbreaking series captures the struggles, triumphs, and daily experiences of transgender individuals living in various states across the United States during the presidency of Donald Trump. With its powerful storytelling and exploration of transgender rights under the Trump administration, the series garnered significant attention, earning an Emmy shortlist and a GLAAD Media Award nomination.
Each episode of Trans in Trumpland highlights the stories of four transgender individuals from different parts of the United States: North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, and Idaho. The series not only delves into the personal experiences of these individuals but also investigates the broader context of transgender rights during the Trump era. Episode 1 - North Carolina: This episode focuses on Ash, a high school student grappling with both gender dysphoria and a pervasive fear of using the bathroom due to the stigma surrounding transgender people. Despite these challenges, Ash believes that coming out as transgender saved his life and is finding new strength with each passing day. Episode 2 - Texas: Rebecca, a Mexican immigrant and trans woman living on the Texas-Mexico border, faces multiple forms of discrimination and danger. Her struggles are compounded by immigration issues, health care challenges, and the hardships of living in a region deeply affected by Trump's policies.
Episode 3 - Mississippi: In Mississippi, Evonné launches the state’s first trans-focused nonprofit after a close friend is tragically murdered for being transgender. This episode highlights the extreme risks faced by transgender individuals in certain regions and the resilience required to fight for their community's survival and empowerment. Episode 4 - Idaho: Shane Ortega, a Two-Spirit Native American, identifies as someone embodying both feminine and masculine spirits. A former Army veteran, Shane is deeply committed to the belief that trans rights are intrinsically linked to the larger struggle for decolonization and the empowerment of Indigenous communities. This episode explores the intersections of gender identity, military service, and Indigenous identity.
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Premiering on February 25, 2021, on Topic, a streaming service from First Look Media, Trans in Trumpland took a unique approach to storytelling. Directed, hosted, and narrated by Zosherafatain, the series was created by TransWave Films, a trans-run production company founded by Zosherafatain and producer Jamie DiNicola. The series was celebrated for its authenticity, critical perspective, and ability to share the voices of transgender people in an era when their rights were under severe threat. Zosherafatain reflected on the timing of the series' creation, noting that the idea came to him in 2016, shortly after Trump’s election. The week that Trump won the presidency, Zosherafatain felt an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty. He recalled that Trump’s administration had removed mentions of LGBTQ+ rights from the White House website, and he felt the urgent need to document what was to come for marginalized communities, particularly transgender people. Three days after the election, the title Trans in Trumpland came to him, and he immediately began to conceptualize a film that would address the impending challenges faced by transgender Americans under the new administration.
The development of Trans in Trumpland began in earnest after the 2016 election. Zosherafatain, feeling a deep personal connection to the material, knew that the next few years would bring significant challenges for the transgender community. He spent the next three years developing the series and raising funds through a successful Kickstarter campaign that generated $65,000 in 2019. The filming took place across North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, and Idaho in the fall of 2019, with production wrapping in December of that year. Initially conceived as a feature-length documentary, the project eventually evolved into a four-episode series after a suggestion from their sales agent. This decision allowed the filmmakers to focus more deeply on the stories of individual characters and provide each state-specific narrative a dedicated episode, with each running for about 27 minutes. In an
interview, Zosherafatain explained that shifting from a feature film to a docuseries format was not an easy decision but ultimately allowed for a more focused exploration of the complex issues at hand. Each episode offers a deep dive into the lives of the individuals featured, presenting their struggles and triumphs in a way that a longer feature film might not have allowed.
TransWave Films, the production company behind Trans in Trumpland, was founded by Zosherafatain and DiNicola out of a desire to provide a platform for trans storytellers. DiNicola explained that both filmmakers were growing frustrated by the trend of trans stories being told by cisgender filmmakers who often lacked the lived experience to authentically capture the nuances of transgender life. TransWave Films was established to provide a space for trans filmmakers to create and tell their own stories. The production company’s mission was to create a space where transgender individuals could be in control of their own narratives, especially in a media landscape where trans stories are often misrepresented or sensationalized. Trans in Trumpland exemplifies this goal, as the series not only tells compelling personal stories but also presents a broader critique of the systemic issues that transgender people face.
The docuseries was made possible through the collective efforts of a diverse group of individuals, including several executive producers who are prominent figures in the LGBTQ+ community. Trace Lysette, a well-known actress and advocate, served as one of the executive producers, along with Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a pioneering figure in the transgender rights movement, and Chella Man, an artist and activist. The project also included significant input from associate producers Miss Hazel Jade and Gabriel Resendez, who contributed to ensuring that the stories depicted in the series were authentic and representative of the lived experiences of transgender individuals.
While the immediate relevance of Trans in Trumpland may have waned with the end of the Trump administration, the filmmakers argue that the series still holds deep significance. Zosherafatain remarked that Trumpism and the policies of the previous administration have left lasting structural inequalities that continue to affect marginalized groups, including transgender people. The series, even after Trump’s exit from office, remains a potent reminder of the ongoing struggles for transgender rights and the deep-seated societal and institutional obstacles that continue to exist. In discussing the broader impact of the series, Zosherafatain and DiNicola noted that while Trans in Trumpland may have started as a response to the political climate of the Trump era, its messages transcend the former president’s time in office. Transgender rights are still under threat in various states, and the work done by advocates like those featured in the series continues to be of paramount importance.
Zosherafatain and DiNicola’s decision to release the series on Topic was strategic, as the platform is known for supporting authentic, community-driven storytelling. Topic, part of First Look Media, is a streaming service that prioritizes original and compelling narratives from underrepresented voices. The service provided an ideal home for Trans in Trumpland, allowing the filmmakers to reach a global audience and ensure that the stories they were telling had a platform to be heard. Zosherafatain expressed admiration for Topic’s commitment to supporting diverse voices and highlighted the platform’s broad accessibility, as it is available on services like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Roku. This accessibility ensured that a wide range of viewers could engage with the series.
For aspiring filmmakers, especially those with a focus on social justice or marginalized communities, Zosherafatain and DiNicola offer valuable advice. They stress the importance of finding one’s community and network, as well as the need to stay true to one’s voice and vision. In the case of Trans in Trumpland, the filmmakers emphasized the power of short-form storytelling, as the 27-minute episode format allowed for deep, impactful narratives without unnecessary filler. Zosherafatain also encouraged other filmmakers to find compelling characters whose stories have not yet been told and to focus on the themes of social change and empowerment. In the world of documentary filmmaking, he believes, it is crucial to tell stories that can spark meaningful dialogue and bring about change.
Trans in Trumpland stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of transgender individuals living under challenging political climates. Through the lens of four distinct stories, the series provides a raw and emotional portrayal of the transgender experience in America during the Trump presidency. Beyond its historical significance, the series also serves as a critical call to action for the continued fight for transgender rights, equality, and acceptance in a world that is still grappling with systemic discrimination. By focusing on the personal and political dimensions of transgender life, Zosherafatain and DiNicola have created a series that is not only a valuable document of its time but also a poignant reminder of the importance of representation and authenticity in storytelling.
Image credits: YouTube
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