Using.humor and education to make the world more safe and joyful for transgender people.

Trannymals Go to Court

Directors’ Statement

Transgender genitals are a serious subject.  Due to society’s rigid ideas about what genitals are supposed to look like, transgender people are denied driver’s licenses, health insurance, employment – and subject to violence, and even murder.  Trannymals Go to Court makes the point that harming people or denying people rights based on the size and shape of their genitals is absurd.  We set out to change people’s minds and open their hearts through humor and education.  

Trannymals Go to Court uses a fairy tale to depict what transgender people face when they go to court.  One of the creators of this film, Dylan Vade, is co-founder of the Transgender Law Center (TLC) in San Fancisco.  Dylan noticed that when a transgender person goes to court, whether for a case about employment, child custody, or a change in birth certificate, it is highly likely that there will be a big discussion about the size and shape of the transgender person’s genitals. We want to show the harm of this practice.   We believe that the only expert on a person’s gender is the person themselves.   A person’s genital is irrelevant to their gender.  Transgender people should not have to be subject to humiliating medical examinations and public testimony about their genitals in order for the government (or anyone!) to determine their gender. 

Transgender genitals can also be a serious subject for transgender people themselves. Since we are both transgender, we can attest that there is a lot of shame in transgender communities, which is often focused on our bodies and particularly our genitals.  Trannymals Go to Court shows transgender genitals in all their glory –encouraging people to honor and celebrate all bodies.

And, although transgender genitals are a serious subject, the Trannymals themselves are sparkly, fierce and fiery characters who provoke curious and joyful laughter. Trannymals are transgender genitals who dress up with googley eyes and accessories.  They look back and speak back.  Wherever the Trannymals go, they spark curiosity, reflection, and conversation.  We want to continue using these friendly, whimsical characters to create visibility of transgender genitals, to serve as a catalyst for legal and social reform, and to bring more joy into the world.

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Trannymals Go To Court

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