Ruben Goldsbrough
22nd July - 24th July 2016
This year myself and my girlfirend attended Brighton Trans Pride.
Brighton's Trans Pride is the largest Trans only event in the uk and seeing as we're both Huge supporters and have never been to Brighton this seemed like the perfect summer weekend away for us.
Friday 22 July 2016 (DAy 1)
We have arrived! and Brighton is incredable, after checking into hostle I had booked us two tickets to attend the Trans film Festival at the Duke of York cinema house, which is THE smallest cinema house i've been too!
The evening was split into 3 sections and honestly was opened my eyes to alot of new things.
Trans lives : 1
trans-acting
(directed by fox fishing and Lewis Hancock)
Last year "my generation", gendered intelligence and The Royle Central School of Speech and Drama cam together for a groundbreaking acting course for trans paticipants. This was a really lovely short film that almost give people a second chance at life. Trans people after fear going into an acting carrer as it involved playing gender roles they are not comfortable with. This workshop allowed them to learn and act freely and without fear.
Waria Street
(directed by Tamare Shogalous)
This documentary follows it's in unity of transgender women in juncture and the fight to have the street from is recognised as a legitimate porfession.
This was really intesting as these women have no choice other than to perform because they're unable to be hired in any other profession. Thoughout this film we see court cases where the government are trying to make it illegal for them to them to preform. it was very difficult to watch as to be they where just seen as a joke.
Elise
(directed by Jo bradlee and Evan Sterrtt)
Transgender sex worker fags on homework love and survival in Washington DC. There was one quote from this film that really effected me, as my project is focused on FTM over MTF i hadnt looked into how MTF are treated.
In America 40% of trans women have turn to prostitution as a means of trying to make a living, A lot of people soon this is because they are trying to prove themselves as being woman was it's not. The reality is that this is the only industry were not judged for there gender and they are respected more as prostitutes then if they where to try and get a real job.
"This is my sister": Transgender life in jail and on the streets.
(directed by Nick Leader)
A strong community of trans-people struggling with the place in society, both on the streets and within the American justice system, with only trying to lean on.
This was no Orange is the new black thats for sure. People are being placed in the wrong prisons and as a result is costing the US government more by having to take them and putting them in separate units. A lot of these women are in and out of jail because to them I life behind bars is still safer then a life on the streets. A community a lot of these women live together inside and outside of jail and often jump from hotel room to hotel room. Never being able to find a sable place to live.
Rose and June
(directed by Pink Dot SG)
78-year-old divorce Rose tells has tells her story before and after transitioning and importance role of a transgendered shelter. Rose's story is unlike any other story i've heard before. Sheas talks about how she once married but then was forced to divorce once her mother in law found out. Spending most of her life on the street rose wasinvited to join a woman shelter as a cook, she' has been there for five years and is very happy at the centre.
Rowyn
(directed by Fox Fisher)
19-year-old studend Rowyn speaks of my generation that the general density and non-binary experiences.
it was a sweet little film then followed by a live proformace by Rowyn.
Identity :2
dREAM
(directed by Dani Katz)
Using the short same clip and with reams of paper, layers of sound, identity, colour, form, dreams, reality, and gender euphoria are added to one another until the key phrase becomes indistinguishable to the music.
Passing
(directed by Lucah Rosenberg and J Mitchel Reed)
Free American transmen, reflecting on racism, transphobia, relationships, "passing" and masculinity.
Mx Enigma
(directed by Je'Jae Cleopatra Daniels)
This personal documentary expose the intersections of Je' Jae's orthodox Jewish community, their culture and their gender identity.
Let me be brave
(directed by Asten Holmes-Ellott)
This documentary from LEAP sport Scotland looks at the importance of sport in the lives of trans-people and the barriers stopping them.
Forward : 3
Float
(directed by Sam Berliner)
This experiment to short film is shot completelely underwater showing trans people swimming naked set to music by trans musician Rae Spoon.
Tear Jerker
(directed by Amy Adler)
Elliot can't cry and needs to. This is a moving portrait of a transgender guy faced with a difficult life circumstances trying to find new ways to express old and familiar feelings.
Kiss from a rose.
(directed by Benjamin Reader)
3 care free trans-women meet up in Burlin dressed to the nines and ready for champagne celebrations.
First Night out
(directed by William Mayo)
A woman takes herself out to dinner but very first time.
This was an incredibly long event. But I did enjoy most of them shown to me. I found this event very benifitial as its really difficult to find good short film inspired by this theme. I also had the chance to talk to a hand full of the director and gain some advice in hopes of being featured myself next year.
saturday 23rd July 2016 (DAy 2)
The main event!
Today was the day of the march, i felt alot of emotions when walking and after speaking to others after the walk it seems that i wasnt alone.
Normally when you join a Pride march everyone is very loud and very proud to be walking together... this didnt feel like that at all.
This was almost like a gaint walking bus of uncomfortable people mostly in silience. Now im not saying that everyone was quite! you could just feel that some people where clearly very unconfortable.
I understand this, the T if offten forgotten because more trans people just want to fit in and live a normal life, it a way i dont feel as if it does belong withing the LGBT community as its to do with gender... not sexuality. The two are so differant.
Once the march was done we ended up in a lovely little park filled with food and pop up shops. which was lovely.
check out the video to the right.
Although myself and the few others that i have spoken too didnt feel this way
its a wonderful little video of happiness.
Awareness is important! and people should be proud to be who they are.
I understand that reguardless of gender of sexuality some people just dont
deal well in crowds of people. But i cant help but wonder if there could be
another way of doing this.
All in all i really enjoyed Transpride as short as it was.
It was great meeting up with some of the people i'd been interviewing and
speaking too thoughout this project and all being well i'd love to maybe
attend again next year.
