Uncle Gloria: One Helluva Ride

Director: Robyn Symon
Release Year: 2014

Everyone has their own journey in life to take. Sometimes it seems to follow a set path, but some journeys take us in unexpected directions and to places we never imagined. All we can do is enjoy the ride, and for Gloria Stein, it has been one helluva ride. Born Butch Rosichan, she began life as a short, stocky man in Broward County, South Florida. Butch made a living as an auto wrecker and was the type of man who would confront anyone at the slightest provocation. He was known for his bulldog demeanor, a willingness to fight if angered, and a crude sense of humor that included homophobic tendencies. Butch had two sons from a failed marriage, and his early years painted him as a rough, unapologetic character who seemed unfit for quiet domesticity. Yet that first image of him belied the remarkable transformations to come.

 

Butch’s second marriage ended in a bitter and exhausting divorce. His ex-wife, armed with a determined lawyer, pushed him to the brink financially and legally, ultimately landing him in jail for non-payment of alimony. After serving 120 days, he discovered his business in ruins and soon faced another warrant for unpaid alimony. Rather than returning to jail, he went into hiding in an unconventional way by assuming the identity of a woman, and Gloria Stein was born. What began as a disguise eventually evolved into something much deeper, a full embrace of her identity. In 2003, Gloria underwent gender reassignment surgery, making a dramatic transition at the age of 67.

 

As Gloria, she found companionship with Dan Friedman, a transgender man who helped smooth some of her rougher edges and offered emotional support. With Dan’s encouragement, Gloria began reaching out to estranged family members, attempting reconciliation. However, her two sons had not accepted her or returned her calls at the time of the documentary’s filming, a painful reality that weighed heavily on her. Despite her past, Gloria remained outspoken and engaging, an individual who continued to reject disrespect but in a more measured way. Her life became a series of intriguing chapters that included work as a professional dominatrix, ongoing advocacy for transgender rights, and a continuing passion for classic cars.

 

Robyn Symon, a two-time Emmy-winning producer and former senior producer at PBS Miami, began documenting Gloria’s life in 2003. Initially intended to cover only the completion of Gloria’s gender reassignment surgery, the project expanded into a decade-long exploration of her life. Symon combined home movies, dramatic reenactments, and interviews with friends and family who knew Gloria as Butch. The film offers a wry sense of humor and a glimpse into the complexity of her journey, though it leaves some questions unanswered. When asked why she decided to undergo surgery, Gloria often responds with “I don’t know,” leaving viewers to wonder if she truly cannot articulate the reason or if she simply chooses not to. Some negative aspects of her past, including financial difficulties and involvement in a stolen car ring, are touched on only lightly, leaving gaps in the narrative. The film hints at Butch’s homophobia without exploring whether Gloria has reflected on those attitudes since her transition.

 

At 76 minutes, Uncle Gloria: One Helluva Ride feels episodic, containing engaging highlights from her life such as attending her 60th high school reunion, shopping for dresses and cars, and performing LGBTQ activism. Yet despite a decade of filming, Symon’s documentary leaves audiences yearning for deeper insight. Gloria’s fractured family relationships, her evolving sense of self, and her romantic relationship with Dan provide the emotional core of the film, giving viewers a window into her humanity and resilience. Gloria’s transformation is as literal as it is symbolic, reflecting a life reshaped from chaos and confrontation to self-discovery and expression. From a combative, homophobic man to a bold, charismatic transgender woman, her journey challenges assumptions and reveals the complexity of identity at any age.

 

Uncle Gloria is simultaneously darkly funny, sometimes frustratingly incomplete, and always compelling. The documentary captures the twists and turns of a life lived without compromise, offering a story of reinvention that is as messy as it is inspiring. Through Symon’s lens, Gloria’s life reminds us that even when the road is unpredictable, embracing who we are can lead to a truly unforgettable ride.

 

via: unclegloriafilm.com

Image credits: unclegloriafilm.com