Transgender or gender non-conforming people are one of the most at-risk and disadvantaged groups in society. Alarmingly, most Transgender people have experienced discrimination, harassment and even violence because their gender identity or gender expression is different from their birth-assigned sex.
Danica Rain is by far the emotional heart of our documentary Balls. She was so courageous to share her life journey with us; everything from the separation from her wife and daughter, to living homeless, to being drug addicted and to all the mental and physical abuse she has had to endure while transitioning gender.
There was many a time during our interview with her that the “fourth wall” of the “subjective” camera was broken. We cried with Danica as she revealed and relived her most violent and heart wrenching memories. Though Danica has suffered a lot of pain and heartache, her story ends on a very positive note. Like a fairytale princess, she is in a committed relationship with a devoted man that has swept her off her feet. Not only has she reconnected with her daughter but she has also fully transitioned.
As much as the Balls documentary was a testicular “tell-all”, everything from testicular cancer to testicular art and everything in between, this doc was also an exploration of masculinity and it’s ever-changing face. The new masculinity for this new millennium is a softer beast that has a vulnerable side and is not afraid to show it. Whether you have two, one or no testicles at all, “having balls is just being sure about yourself and also being kind and generous to the people in your path and the people in your life”. (Carey Gray)
Explore more stories of Gender Confirmation with Farra N. Hyte and Angel from our series Drag Heals.