INITIAL RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY CONCERN ABOUT
THE FILM “THE GENDERCATOR”
May 17, 2007
We were first made aware of Catherine Crouch’s director’s statement associated with her film THE GENDERCATOR earlier today in emails received at the Frameline office from concerned members of the community. THE GENDERCATOR was submitted to Frameline and programmed as one of six short films in a program titled “OUTer Limits”.
Frameline takes these issues and concerns very seriously. With long and proud history of partnering with and supporting our Transgender community, Frameline is deeply troubled by the content of the filmmaker’s “Director’s Note” listed on her web site. Frameline staff members were not aware of these comments when the film was submitted for Festival consideration and subsequently programmed.
Frameline’s senior staff are now in the process of determining the best course of action. Frameline is currently speaking with members of the Transgender community, the filmmaker and other community members to resolve this situation. Frameline thanks our community members for bringing this issue to our attention. We look forward to working together in seeking a solution.
Michael Lumpkin
Artistic Director
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:34 am
Hi there
I haven’t seen this film, and while I can appreciate what that the
director is trying to ‘foster discussion about female body modification and
medical ethics’, I have to say that this isn’t exactly the way to go
about that.
I think if the director was trying to make a statement about our young
women trying to become ‘porno Barbie dolls’ , that would be a different
matter altogether.
I lived as a butch woman for almost 10 years. I’ve always known I was a
boy, it was the cultural and societal norm to dress me as a girl, which
I fought vehemently. I say I ‘lived as’ a butch woman, because that was
the only way to retain some of my sanity at that time.
After becoming a male identified person, I have been able to live a
much happier life, more comfortable in my own skin.
My daughter is a heavy girl, and suffers greatly from the porno Barbie
dolls of this world. She knows she doesn’t fit in with the cheerleading
Paris Hilton’s and Lindsay Lohan’s of this world.
Would this movie help her? Sadly, no. She is not gay, and a film with
this type of content would do nothing more than perhaps make her
question why I transitioned.
I did not transition to make my life easier. I transitioned for my own
peace. It mattered, and continues to matter not what others think of me
for doing this. I did it for no one else but myself.
This film will only confuse the issue, and make those of us in the ftm
community fall under further scrutiny from a larger group of people.
Not only will more of the lesbian community see us as turncoats, but
the straight community will see us less than valid as well.
Please, do not show this film. It will do nothing but cause more
ignorance in a generation where the ignorant reign supreme.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
sincerely,
Alexander C. Taylor