Proper Pronouns 2020
Distributed by The Video Project, 145 - 9th St., Suite 230, San Francisco, CA 94103; 800-475-2638
Produced by Meg Daniels and Manie Robinson
Directed by Meg Daniels
Streaming, 65 mins
College - General Adult
Activism; Christianity; Gender Identity
Date Entered: 04/09/2021
Reviewed by Rachael Dreyer, Head of Research Services for Special Collections, Pennsylvania State UniversityThis documentary film, by Meg Daniels and Manie Robinson, represents extraordinary examples of intersectionality through its depiction of transgender Southerners who are part of a Christian religious community in North Carolina: Dawn Flynn, Mykal Shannon, Liam Hooper, and Debra Hopkins. Each person is a minister, either leading a congregation or participating in an outreach ministry. There are a small number of transgender religious leaders in the United States, and these individuals represent a significant concentration of transgender clergy and ministers. It would be difficult to be transgender, religious, financially precarious, and Black (as Mykal and Debra are) in any part of the country, but in the South and in more rural communities, there is always the ever-present and implicit threat of violence against them because of their identities.
The filmmakers allow Dawn, Mykal, Liam, and Debra to tell their own stories of transition and the particular difficulties of being highly visible as religious leaders while transitioning. However, transition is not the only focus of the film, which makes it such a successful portrayal of intersectionality. Among its other topics, the film addresses the difficulties of growing older as a transgender person; issues inherent in aging have been garnering attention in other areas, particularly as COVID-19 impacts the ability to rely on community supports. The deep loneliness that these clergy feel as they age is also evident; Dawn attempts to rebuild her relationship with her wife of 30 years, Pam, and they spend time together as friends, and at the same time, Dawn longs for her first sexual experience with a man. Debra shares her fears of dying alone and unloved; the difficulties of dating in the South as a trans woman are very present, if unspoken. Mykal moves about his day alone and with difficulty; his swollen ankles and cane are a reminder of the mobility issues that emerge as we grow older.
Another aspect that sets this documentary apart is the discussion of the effects of gender transition on the partners of those transitioning. Transition poses great obstacles and difficulties for the one who is directly involved, but the documentary points out the transition also impacts the identity of one’s partner. Both Liam’s and Dawn’s partners appear in several interview segments, and their experiences are presented with compassion and grace, just like those of their transitioning partners.
Perhaps, this film won’t change the minds of those with intractable beliefs, but for mainstream audiences, this film illustrates the struggle of fully developing and embracing one’s full identity in the South. Those ostracized from their faith communities of origin may find hope and inspiration to keep searching for an identity-affirming spiritual home in community with others. Recommended for viewing and discussion in theology courses as well as Gender Studies courses.
Awards:
Queen Palm International Film Festival, Third Quarter Technical and Performance Awards, Best Director/Best Co-editor
Published and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. Anyone can use these reviews, so long as they comply with the terms of the license.