The performers gathered within the West Hollywood Metropolis Council Chamber for 2 shows of “The Trans Diaries” — monologues that function autos for trans individuals to share their tales.
These exhibits Tuesday coincided with Transgender Consciousness Week (which runs via Nov. 19) and the Transgender Day of Remembrance (Nov. 20), however additionally they landed quickly after an election day that ushered in a brand new political panorama.
Lindsey Deaton, a musician and inventive director who served as West Hollywood’s first appointed transgender commissioner for arts and cultural affairs, created “The Trans Diaries” 5 years in the past. The present, which consists of episodic nonfiction items, is directed and carried out totally by members of the trans group. Every iteration of the present is completely different, reflecting a forged that modifications from yr to yr.
Solid members of this yr’s “Trans Diaries,” from left: Seth Gomez, Josh Gershick (kneeling), Lee Faelnar Te, Jen Winslow and B Alexander.
(From B Alexander)
This yr’s “Trans Diaries” consists of three returning forged members: Seth Gomez, Lee Faelnar Te and Jen Winslow. New performers are B Alexander and playwright Joshua Gerschick, who additionally served as dramaturg.
This yr’s performances are co-produced by the town of West Hollywood and Diversionary Theatre in San Diego, the place “Trans Diaries” might be carried out this weekend.
The Instances spoke over Zoom with Gerschick and trans writer-actor Shakina Nayfack, who directed the present. Beneath are excerpts from that dialog, edited for size and readability.
Shakina, you and most of this yr’s “Trans Diaries” forged members are working actors or writers in Hollywood. How have your careers been affected by the present slowdown within the movie and TV trade, in addition to the broader political local weather?
Nayfack: When there’s a contraction total, the primary issues to go are the marginalized voices. So whereas possibly all of Hollywood is feeling the pinch economically and politically, it looks like main steps are being taken again when it comes to alternatives for trans writers and performers. There appears to be a worry of inclusion as a result of audiences have been radicalized towards us and executives are intimidated to stay their necks out for what they know is correct.
Gerschick: Which doesn’t make a lot sense, does it? Since TV now’s such a Balkanized affair. If you happen to don’t need to take a look at LGBTQ materials, you don’t must. We’re not caught with the three main networks.
Nayfack: Because of this I really like “The Trans Diaries,” as a result of I got here off two years writing on “Quantum Leap,” the place I bought to create radical trans illustration on community tv, after which I haven’t labored in a yr. With this present, I knew that, come the week of the election I might have a room to be in with trans artists via that complete course of. I couldn’t be extra grateful.
What was it like making ready for “The Trans Diaries” the week of the election?
Nayfack: Our first rehearsal was on the day of the election. We knew coming into it that we had been going to be collectively it doesn’t matter what. And that was a supply of consolation and empowerment for every of us in numerous methods. Once we got here collectively on Wednesday, there was a heaviness within the room and a way of grief and loss and confusion and paralysis. But in addition, we had the textual content, we had the tales, and we had the dedication of figuring out we had a present to do. If you happen to’re within the theater, that’s a lifesaver.
Going again to speaking about Hollywood, I need to add that [we have made progress]. Nava Mau was nominated for an Emmy for “Baby Reindeer.” There are complete sections of LGBTQ teen fiction in mainstream bookstores. Now we have a foothold in tradition that we’ve by no means had earlier than. However our identities have been weaponized, and our tales have develop into taboo once more.
Gerschick: That is the beauty of “The Trans Diaries.” On this terrifying time, these tales stand in stark distinction to the lies about our lives, significantly the lies which have been instructed throughout this election cycle. As you might know, a sure political social gathering spent 1 / 4 of a billion {dollars} operating anti-trans adverts.
What was it like so that you can see these adverts on TV?
Nayfack: It’s traumatic — or triggering for those who’ve already been well-dosed in that trauma, as each Josh and I’ve. I’ve steeled myself towards the bigotry and hatred for therefore lengthy, and I’m so snug in my position as a cultural employee, that I really feel emboldened by that kind of rhetoric. The work I’m doing simply turns into that rather more very important.
The half that’s so infuriating is how deceptive and untruthful it’s. There are rational, grounded conversations one can have across the strategy of transitioning and trans individuals in sports activities and trans youth entry to gender-affirming medical care. However these aren’t the conversations we’re having at a political stage. What we’re seeing are merely lies and hate-filled rhetoric that aren’t based mostly in scientific fact or group fact.
Gerschick: This isn’t my first rodeo. I keep in mind all these similar issues being mentioned about gays and lesbians. Within the early ’80s, surveys confirmed that only a few Individuals knew a homosexual individual or a lesbian, or knew that they knew one. In order that was an setting wherein lies had been circulated and believed. Again then we had been referred to as predators. At the moment the time period is groomer. It’s all simply recycled hate. At the moment, everyone is aware of a homosexual man or a lesbian. However few individuals know — or know that they know — a transgender individual. In order that they simply imagine the lies.
Once more, that’s why this piece is so vital. Within the L.A. viewers this weekend, many of the attendees had been cisgender individuals. They got here as much as me afterward and mentioned they laughed, they cried, and likewise that it was illuminating, that they discovered a lot. And that’s the purpose. There’s energy in studying about individuals and expressing curiosity. Whenever you meet us, you discover there’s rather more that connects us than separates us. However first you need to be keen and open to studying and setting apart your beliefs about who and what we’re.
What’s your message for individuals whose votes had been influenced by these anti-trans adverts?
Nayfack: I want extra evangelical Christians would return and skim their Bibles. I’ve learn the New Testomony, and the teachings of Jesus are fairly loving.
Gerschick: Ah sure, “Love they neighbor as thyself.” You already know, some mates of mine had been within the viewers final night time. They’ve a trans son. The mother instructed me that her father had voted for Trump. She mentioned to him, “What are you thinking? You have a trans grandchild.” And he mentioned to her, “Oh, you’re brainwashed. Nothing’s going to happen. That’s all just propaganda.” So there’s an enormous disconnect. Folks heard these hateful issues and but don’t imagine that the person who’s making these threats will really carry them out. That is very harmful enterprise; 2024 has been a record-breaking yr for anti-trans laws.
Nayfack: I feel individuals don’t understand, particularly in the event that they don’t have a member of the family or shut mates who’s trans, the varieties of fabric hardships that anti-trans laws creates for our lives and our well-being. Whether or not it’s the flexibility to get authorized documentation that matches your id and presentation, or the medical care that it’s essential really feel snug in your physique, or the nondiscrimination protections that will allow you to go to work or get an residence or go to the physician with out worry of discrimination or persecution.
Josh, as a performer on this yr’s “Trans Diaries,” what’s it wish to share your private story?
Gerschick: Just a little horrifying, as a result of the story I inform, about discovering Josh, that’s an intimate story. All of those tales, truthfully and intimately instructed, reveal the reality and the enjoyment of our lives.
Nayfack: That’s the purpose of the type of autobiographical storytelling we’re doing on this present, disclosing one thing particular that touches the common. Storytelling is an engine of empathy.
On the finish of the present, the forged performs a music by B Alexander that may be a name for allyship.
Nayfack: Precisely. Folks must put some pores and skin within the recreation in the event that they actually care about range and taking good care of our most susceptible.
Gerschick: If you happen to see one thing, you need to say one thing. This sort of hate can’t persist in an setting wherein we name issues out and we act within the second. That type of lively allyship should come from cisgender individuals.
Past this weekend’s performances in San Diego, what do you envision for the way forward for “The Trans Diaries”?
Nayfack: There’ll all the time be a necessity to inform our tales. And there are such a lot of voices that should be heard. This present looks like such a grassroots strategy to empower trans artists. I hope these monologues may be collected in a quantity in some unspecified time in the future and shared. I additionally need people to know they will do that in their very own communities too. All it takes is the chutzpah to get collectively and decide to rigorous storytelling.