Boring Untold Stories
Or How Channel 4 Keeps Putting Out Shit Trans Stuff
Channel 4 just released a new documentary onto their Youtube channel called Transmaxxer Life Uncovered - which is about (apparently) a man who is pretending to be trans in order to get “female only” benefits. The titles at the beginning tease: “A Transition For Personal Gain” and “I Get To Pay Cheaper Car Insurance”.
“Transmaxxing” is not a popular subculture. It is something that exists mostly theoretically in the darkest corners of the internet (4Chan) in order to perpetuate horrible stereotypes about trans people’s intentions and spread misogyny. So, at a time where trans people are disrespected on an almost daily basis by our politicians in power, I have to ask Channel 4 - did we really need this fucking documentary?
I’ve talked before about how Channel 4 once invited me to a “Trans Diversity & Inclusion Panel” to see how they could “do better” - and then just a few months later released the rightfully criticized documentary “Gender Wars”. It made the whole thing feel very shallow and performative to me. It seems like it’s been another year and Channel 4 still isn't helping us much.
The short doc is part of a series called “Life Uncovered”, which at the time of writing has 5 episodes out. 2 of those 5 episodes are about the very worst, most niche sides of “trans” culture - the debut episode following infamous de-transitioner Ollie London. In a lot of ways it makes sense - the host of the documentary lets us know in his voice over (as if it isn’t painfully obvious) how much of a “controversial issue” this all is.
The series is presented by Ben Zand of Zandland Productions who’s site boasts the tagline “Blow Minds. Change Worlds.” They also claim to “shine a light on the darkest corners of the world”. I once sent a pitch to Zandland, right around the time I was harassed at the LGB Alliance Conference. Not only had they not even heard of the LGB Alliance, they ultimately felt it was too thorny an issue for them to cover. Not so much shining a light on the darkest corners then, just the trans ones.
Ultimately, what I find most frustrating about this isn’t the subject matter itself - but the way that Channel 4 went about covering it. Why make out like you care about trans representation, and then just continue to perpetuate these awful stereotypes? At the very least they could have sent in a trans reporter to interview and get to the bottom of Transmaxxing? That would have at least framed us as separate and given us a little bit of autonomy. It also would have shown that they have a commitment to true inclusion. But no, instead we are yet again just a specimen to be observed.
I’m sure Ben Zand is a nice guy, but fucking hell is this series dull. Let trans people tell their own stories. We have a more interesting perspective on these issues because we live intimately with them. Give us something.
Come and see my new show “Doll” at the Bill Murray / Angel Comedy Club on March 11! Tickets HERE