"Becoming Chaz"

[Greyson]

I like Scuba, laughed and cried. Although I am not a public figure, I have much in common with Chaz. I have seen many documentaries, TV shows, read books, online stuff, but for me, this one knocked it out of the ballpark.

On another note, maybe it is time to drop my beloved identity of Butch. I never felt the entire woman identified stuff and the moniker of Butch served me very well. I do make the distinction of not being a cisgender man by using Transman.

I am tempted to delete this because I am doing stream of consciousness writing.

[Corkey]

I had dreams all night of the part where it was said " see flat chest".

It won't happen for me in this lifetime, but one can always play the lottery.

[AtLast]

I thought this doc was very well done- especially in terms of all the stuff thrown his way because of celebrity status parents.

For me, the commonality of many gender related issues (and the violence we unfortunately share) that I feel I have in common with transmen and women came through. I haven't felt this way with other docs on transitioning before. I think this is because it took on so much more of the human condition and how people relate to one another.

Makes me feel good even though I can't explain it all very fully.

[atomiczombie]

I liked it a lot and I thought it was done accurately and respectfully. I especially liked that Dr. Brownstein was in it, and the scene where it showed Chaz having his drains removed, well I was in that exact same office yesterday having my drains removed by Dr. Brownstein. I got a chance to see my chest with a hand-held mirror exactly like Chaz. It was kind of surreal watching someone else have the exact same experience I had just had earlier in the day. (see my posts in the FTMs and Transitioning thread for more info on my top surgery).

I could see how hard it was for Chaz and his mom to navigate this change together. She is going though her own transition around this, but I see her trying and that is great. His patience and understanding with her underscores the love between them. He was so brave to do this in public, and I hope this brings a lot more awareness and understanding to the public at large. *thumbs up*

[Thinker]

Things I liked:

It was real. They showed how life keeps going on even in the midst of trying to get your "transition checklist" checked off.

I liked that some time was dedicated to transgender youth and that there are parents who get behind their kids and are proactive.

I liked that so many members of Chaz's family were included, including his chosen family and support circle. I also think including the time with his ex was helpful. I can't quite articulate just what yet....but I thought it was significant.

Things I didn't care for:

Even though his relationship is a big part of his life, I almost felt like I was seeing stuff that was just too personal....or TMI.....some things just felt kinda "ugh" to me. I guess that's what documentaries do though.

I didn't like that his mother was in a separate, special space and that his only interaction with her was at a premiere. But then again, to do it any other way may not have been realistic. It was clear they don't spend much time together; I guess that just made me feel a little sad. There he was playing games in the home of his step-mother, but there wasn't any down time like that with his own mother.

An aside:

I found myself pretty shocked that he had to borrow money to pay for his surgery. Cher's millions aside, I just always assumed there was money there.......maybe an inheritance from Sonny??? I don't know. I mean...it's certainly not relevant. I just took note of that and was really surprised.

[Blade]

I've seen several DOC's on transgender and transitioning. They were all good but this one was by far the best. I liked the "real life" stuff in it. Like Thinker I was shocked he had to borrow the money for the surgery also. I know he has the book out now, but I wonder what he does for a living. Jen is a student and I never heard either of them say ok I'm off to work. I'm not sure how expensive "T" is but I'm sure it isn't free.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Things I liked:

It was real. They showed how life keeps going on even in the midst of trying to get your "transition checklist" checked off.

I liked that some time was dedicated to transgender youth and that there are parents who get behind their kids and are proactive.

I liked that so many members of Chaz's family were included, including his chosen family and support circle. I also think including the time with his ex was helpful. I can't quite articulate just what yet....but I thought it was significant.

I saw this as significant too. And part of what transpeople have to deal with. Reality.... My late partner was with a FtM for over 15 years and co-parented 2 kids with him prior to transitioning. She just couldn't remain with him and be who she was- a lesbian after he came to really finding himself. But, she felt a lot of guilt about this, too. She loved him very much. Through the years as they remained friends and co-parents, they were able to work through what was a very painful situation for both. Sometimes it was hard for me because at the start of our relationship, she questioned me a lot about my gender identification and if I ever felt that I was really a man. She actually had trust issues around a butch woman remaining a butch woman. We worked through that, too. This is just a multi-faceted, extremely complex journey that can have an influence on so many things.

Things I didn't care for:

Even though his relationship is a big part of his life, I almost felt like I was seeing stuff that was just too personal....or TMI.....some things just felt kinda "ugh" to me. I guess that's what documentaries do though.

I had some twinges like this, too. makes me feel a little better that a transperson is articulating this. Probably because I kept smacking myself about these feelings due to not being trans. I think it is just about how we all have our own personal boundaries with things. Thanks.


I didn't like that his mother was in a separate, special space and that his only interaction with her was at a premiere. But then again, to do it any other way may not have been realistic. It was clear they don't spend much time together; I guess that just made me feel a little sad. There he was playing games in the home of his step-mother, but there wasn't any down time like that with his own mother.

I have hope that they will work through what keeps them "separate."


An aside:

I found myself pretty shocked that he had to borrow money to pay for his surgery. Cher's millions aside, I just always assumed there was money there.......maybe an inheritance from Sonny??? I don't know. I mean...it's certainly not relevant. I just took note of that and was really surprised.

This shocked me some, too.

[The Oopster]

I like the documentary a lot my only problem with it was the "aggressive scenes because of T" I know some people get more aggressive on T but others like me mellow out. I just didn't like that it reinforced that "image" of someone on T.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by The Oopster

I like the documentary a lot my only problem with it was the "aggressive scenes because of T" I know some people get more aggressive on T but others like me mellow out. I just didn't like that it reinforced that "image" of someone on T.

I wondered how our trans guys might feel about this. It needs to be addressed, but it is sensitive due to stereotyping (the whole "roid-rage" misinformation). My impression has been that it does vary individually and also, some guys really do a lot of work around this. They prepare via support networks and groups. A lot of trans men I know in real-time also can get angry about "excuses" being made about this because they feel it is something one has to take personal responsibility for and that if someone has a bad temper to begin with- it ain't all the T. might not be the T at all. We all have to work on our patience and temper if we find ours is volitile, not just transmen.

It seems like most of you do feel this documentary is one to recommend to people- am I right about this? I don't want to tell someone it is helpful and accurate based upon my take on it as a non-trans person. Also, it has an awful lot to take in- is it the best one available for people that really have very little knowledge on the subject? Would like opinions on this. Thanks.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Thinker

Things I liked:

It was real. They showed how life keeps going on even in the midst of trying to get your "transition checklist" checked off.

I liked that some time was dedicated to transgender youth and that there are parents who get behind their kids and are proactive.

I liked that so many members of Chaz's family were included, including his chosen family and support circle. I also think including the time with his ex was helpful. I can't quite articulate just what yet....but I thought it was significant.

Things I didn't care for:

Even though his relationship is a big part of his life, I almost felt like I was seeing stuff that was just too personal....or TMI.....some things just felt kinda "ugh" to me. I guess that's what documentaries do though.
I didn't like that his mother was in a separate, special space and that his only interaction with her was at a premiere. But then again, to do it any other way may not have been realistic. It was clear they don't spend much time together; I guess that just made me feel a little sad. There he was playing games in the home of his step-mother, but there wasn't any down time like that with his own mother.

An aside:

I found myself pretty shocked that he had to borrow money to pay for his surgery. Cher's millions aside, I just always assumed there was money there.......maybe an inheritance from Sonny??? I don't know. I mean...it's certainly not relevant. I just took note of that and was really surprised.

Yes, that is what made me uncomfortable too. I felt uncomfortable seeing their "stuff" ("issues"), if you know what I mean. I felt intrusive, even knowing they were the ones that set the boundaries of what is seen by the audience.