On Thursday night, available seats were scarce in the Donald P. Corbett Business Building’s Room 100 as students and community members gathered to see “Trans,” a documentary film about transgender issues produced by Mark Schoen, Ph.D., who was on hand to introduce the film and host a discussion afterward.
“Trans” explores the challenges faced by a number of transgender individuals, including Danann, a male-to-female child who knew at the age of two that she was stuck in the wrong body and Dr. Christine McGinn, who began her journey as Lt. Commander Chris McGinn, a Navy flight surgeon who served two missions with NASA. Now Dr. McGinn runs the Papillon Center, a clinic for transgender individuals and their families exploring contra-hormone therapy and transition surgery.
The film took audience members on a rollercoaster of emotions, drawing laughter with the antics of young Danann; enthusiasm, as McGinn and her partner welcomed their twins, fathered using McGinn’s sperm, into the world; and tears, as the parents and friends of a male-to-female transgender youth in California struggled to recount the alienation and despair that led to her suicide.
According to the film, 41 percent of people who identify as transgender have attempted suicide at least once.
“I would say it’s the most important film I’ve ever made,” said Schoen, who is credited with producing over 50 films on topics related to human sexual health. Schoen received his Ph.D. in Sexual Health from New York University who transitioned from being a photography hobbyist to a professional filmmaker as a way of reaching people with messages he knew were important.
“What we show in this film is just a small part of the issues these people face,” he said. “More needs to be in the media.”
Schoen said the film has been well received by academic audiences and received multiple awards from LGBT film festivals, but the film has been largely rejected by the mainstream.
“My favorite part is always the question and answer, because it’s wonderful to see how the film has moved people,” he said.
Schoen said he was happy with this event, saying the University of Maine was particularly sensitive and thoughtful.
UMaine’s Rainbow Resource Center and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Council hosted the screening. Chelsea Barker, LGBT Services Coordinator, introduced Schoen to the audience and praised him for his work for the LGBT community.
“Events like this allow people to feel like it’s okay to be who they are,” Barker said after the screening. “We need more people like Mark to change the world.”
The Rainbow Resource Center provides resources, advocacy and education to the UMaine community, not just LGBT individuals. It is located in room 224 of the Memorial Union, and can be contacted at 581-1439.