In 2019 the UK’s Channel 4 TV Network screened The Making of Me, Three years in the making it was a refreshing straightforward look at the lives of nine very different people as they transitioned. Not only did it serve as a very sympathetic record of each of their journeys, which were undertaking with the support of the immediate families, but it gave an insight into transitioning in general for the vast majority of the public who have never been that close.
With the cameras there at all the important milestones of each of their transitions, they were presented in a matter-of-fact manner. Even the reactions of the subject’s partners and loved ones were shown very respectfully without even a hint of the usual sensationalizing that is linked to this greatly misunderstood part of life.
There’s Vicky a single-parent dad who makes a point of involving his two children in her decisions. 10-year-old daughter Izzy is less phased by her father’s changes, but she does want Vicky to dress better.
56-year-old Simon who has been married to his wife Julie had never made a secret about cross-dressing, but now feels it is time to have her outsides match her insides and starts her transitioning journey with facial surgery. It’s going to have a major effect on their relationship, but for the most part, a very supportive Julie is up for it as she says at one point “The worst scenario would be to lose Jackie or Simon.”
Some things in their new lives may seem odder to watch/understand than other parts, Such as Julie helping Jackie weigh out rice so they decide what breast size she should ask the surgeon.
When Cairo transitions he is fortunate to continue his modeling career, albeit now as a man. He had invested so much time and energy in going to the gym every day it has been at the expense of his personal relationship. There is a tinge of sadness when he announces he has split up with his girlfriend but that’s balanced by the fact that he accepts that transitioning will always come at some price.
In the UK you can get a lot of the medications (like Testosterone injections) free on the National Health Service. However, the price you pay is that you must wait for all the different approval processes with the Gender Alignment Board. After waiting many months for her initial consultation Lee was approved and sent home and told to wait for the official letter which would authorize the drugs What they failed to tell her, is that such letters can take up to 10 weeks.
The Making of Me is like a tutorial …. or even a masterclass ….. and makes for compelling viewing. It gives such great insight especially if you think this is a journey that you should undertake, but equally important it gives all of us a better understanding of transitioning in general.
It is FREE to view at https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-making-of-me/on-demand/ BUT if you do not live in the UK you will need a VPN to access it.
