"Becoming Chaz"

[Greyson]

Originally Posted by citybutch

I had mixed feelings about the documentary. I admire Chaz because of his courage to really bring FtM out to the forefront of the conversation ( documentary, conversations with Oprah, article in NYTimes, etc). I think it has taken much courage to go through this transition in front of the world. I know Chaz has had media exposure his whole life... and that it may have been impossible to do this in private... but I still admire his embrace of it... Amazing...

In many ways I lost respect for Chaz though... I know depression, I know wanting to sit on a couch for a year playing video games, I know emotional pain. We all do. There were times I felt Chaz is a bit spoiled... He has a girlfriend who is working through a Master's degree and he sat on the couch for a YEAR playing video games? There is so much to be done on this planet... I don't know what Chaz does for work.. if he does work... I know he is an activist at this point as a transman... but besides that I don't see much activity ... and maybe it was just my perception.. but what an opportunity for activist work! Chaz has a beautiful home.. That KITCHEN ... omgoodness. Clearly, he has assets... perhaps it is Cher's, I don't know. Perhaps he has made a living of his own... I don't know. But there were times I was just sitting there saying to myself "Buck up Chaz... get off the couch, stop bitching, and DO something." I know this video is one way. I know speaking at rallies, is one way, I know going through the transition in such a public way is one way... but there are many of us who do ALL of this and still have full time jobs. And if he IS doing stuff... I wish it had been included in the complexity of Becoming Chaz

Just was what I was thinking during the documentary....

I too had similar thoughts as I took in the detail of his home, the neighborhoods, his friends and family. I like Thinker was surprised that Chaz borrowed the money for top surgery from his sponsor. The video game thing I could not relate too but sitting on a couch for one year I could.

There was a period in my life a few years back that it all just fell apart for me. I am grateful that because of the career I have chosen, I was able to take the time off. I suspect that Chaz has privilege most of us here do not. His privilege, "celebrity" has provided for the opportunity to bring Trans people and issues to the consciousness of main stream.

I am concerned that many will think that all Transmen think, feel and experience their gender identity in the same fashion. I wish there was greater discussion of the various shades of "Trans" under the umbrella of Transmen. I realize the documentary is about becoming Chaz, but in all of the various interviews and media blitz taking place right now, I have not heard anything about this is Chaz's experience and there are so many that have a different perspective. After all does mainstream take for granted that all cisgendered men are replicas of one another?

After all is said and done, IMO, I believe his documentary will bring greater communication and build bridges that assist in making this a better world.