By GLAAD.org | November 17, 2021
In honor of Trans Awareness Week: Books, movies and more that tell life stories of transgender people Latinx and/or in Spanish
Every year between November 13 – 19, people and organizations across the nation participate in Transgender Awareness Week to increase the visibility of transgender people and talk about the achievements but also the issues the community faces. This year we are excited to share some stories of members of the trans community and non-binary Latinx people.
Each year between November 13 – 19, people and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility about transgender people and address issues members of the community face. This year we’re excited to highlight some stories authored by and about the trans and non-binary Latinx community.
Movies/Movies
A Fantastic Woman
This film not only went on to win the Oscar for best foreign film, but also introduced millions to the talents of actress Daniela Vega. A Fantastic Woman marked a milestone for trans representation. The film won the category of “Best Foreign Language Film” at the 90th Academy Awards, and the film won a GLAAD Media Award in the category of “Outstanding Film – Limited Release.” The film takes place in Chile and tells the story of the loss of a woman’s loved one and the discrimination she suffers from the family and the system.
This movie not only won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, but it also introduced the talents of actress Daniela Vega to the masses. A Fantastic Woman set a milestone for trans storytelling. The film won Best Foreign Language Film at the 90th Academy Awards, and won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film, Limited Release. Set in Chile, it follows the story of a woman who loses someone very close to her, and faces discrimination from their family and the system around her.
Television
The Q Agenda
The Q Agenda on LATV is a fun show hosted by an LGBTQ cast and includes actress and writer Juliana Joel.
The Q Agenda on LATV is a fun talk show hosted by an all LGBTQ cast and includes actress and writer Juliana Joel.
Disclosure
In this documentary, trans creators and activists share and discuss Hollywood’s impact on the trans community. Available here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81284247
In this documentary, leading trans creatives and activists share and discuss Hollywood’s impact on the trans community. Available here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81284247
Pose
Pose: Set in the 1980s (and then the 90s), Pose tells the life stories of several new York drag ball participants in the Latin and African-American communities. This program, loved by critics, won and/or was nominated for several awards, including the GLAAD Award. Pose uses music, drama and humor to tell unforgettable stories. Available here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80241986
Set in 1980s and later 90s, Pose is a TV show about NYC’s African-American and Latine LGBTQ drag ball culture scene. The critically-acclaimed show, which won, among many other honors, a GLAAD Media Award, combines music, drama and humor to tell unforgettable stories. Available here: https://www.netflix.com/title/80241986
Poison
This series produced in Spain by the talented duo of Los Javis, Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, came out on HBO Max and was very critically recognized. It tells the story of The Spanish actress, model, singer and vedette, Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez, better known as “La Veneno.” The series also introduces a host of talented actresses, including Lola Rodriguez, who plays a young journalist and three trans women who play Cristina at different times in her life, Isabel Torres, Daniela Santiago and La Jedet. Available here: https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GX7L7LAlGL8IOwwEAAABN
The biographical series created by talented duo Los Javis, Javier Ambrossi y Javier Calvo, tells the story of Spanish transgender singer and TV personality, Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez, better known as “La Veneno.” The series also introduced many to a slew of talented actresses, including Lola Rodriguez, who plays a young journalist, and the three trans women who portrayed Cristina at different times in her life, Isabel Torres, Daniela Santiago and La Jedet. Available here: https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GX7L7LAlGL8IOwwEAAABN
Books
Don’t miss the book “My Sister: How One Sister’s Transition Changed Us Both.” With anecdotes, humor and a lot of honesty, it tells the story of two sisters, actress Selenis Leyva (Orange is the New Black) and her sister Marizol Leyva. You can find an article about the book here: https://peopleenespanol.com/chica/chica-boss-selenis-leyva-exclusive-video-interview-pride-month/
Do not miss the book “My Sister: How One Sibling’s Transition Changed Us Both”. It tells the story of Selenis Leyva (Orange is the New Black) and her sister Marizol Leyva. With anecdotes, humor, and honesty, the book tells a story of a trans woman (Marizol) and her proud ally and sister (Selenis). Here is an article about the book: https://peopleenespanol.com/chica/chica-boss-selenis-leyva-exclusive-video-interview-pride-month/
Coming Soon
LA QueenCiañera
In this documentary, director Pedro Peira follows Bamby Salcedo, a Mexican-American transgender activist and creator of TransLatin@. The documentary is available here: https://outfestla2021.com/la-queencianera/
In this documentary, filmmaker Pedro Peira follows Bamby Salcedo, Mexican-American transgender activist and founder of TransLatin@. The documentary is available here: https://outfestla2021.com/la-queencianera/
Finland
This film focuses on a group of indigenous Muxes friends, portraying their experiences of love and pain, acceptance and rejection, just a few days before an earthquake.
This film follows a group of friends who are part of the Muxe indigenous community in Mexico. The film portrays their experiences of love and pain, acceptance and rejection, a few days before an earthquake.
Interesting Articles
“Elliot Page and the Social Gender Dilemma” By Marcos Billy Guzmán, El Nuevo Dia:
Actor Elliot Page’s announcement as a transgender man resurrected the debate about gender identity diversity and what we can do as a society. We explain key concepts, the importance of inclusive language and the impact of media such as film and television. Our absolute goal is to educate with this article, to point out why all this is very important for our society and explain concepts that are still difficult to understand for many people. Available online in El Nuevo Día, the most circulated newspaper in Puerto Rico, La historia was also published in the print version: Elliot Page and the social dilemma of gender.
“Ophelia Pastrana: For all the flags of the world” by Sofía Viramontes, Gatopardo.
In his special, “Pride Month” of 2020, Gatopardo included the story of the always interesting Mexican influencer Ophelia Pastrana.
“Ana Sofía Villaseñor, Mexican trans pilot who is making history” by Edgar Ulises, Homosensual.com
A race car pilot tells their life stories and offers some ideas for trans people looking for their futures.
Interviews/Documentaries
“Soy Trans: El camino a un nuevo despertar” by El Nuevo Herald/Miami Herald.
“I am Trans: The road to a new awakening,” produced by El Nuevo Herald for a Spanish-language audience, focuses on the lives of Aiyana and two other trans community wipes as they clash in the search for acceptance and civil rights issues in the United States.
“Abril Zamora: sin filtros” by Elle España
This video is made by Elle España, about the actress Abril Zamora in which she tells about some of her experiences as an actress and trans woman.
“LGBT+ Women in Mexico: Ari Vera,“ By Homosensual.com
In this interview in homosensual.com, on International Women’s Day, the distinguished Mexican activist Ari Vera talks about feminism and her work as an activist with Captive Souls, “today I see myself in the mirror and I like myself because I have been building myself as I have wanted”
“Luisa Almaguer y la Hora Trans” by Vice en Español
Luisa is a trans artist, journalist, musician and singer. In addition to music, Luisa has become known for having one of the first trans podcasts for trans people in Latin America.
