Individuals and organizations around the country are participating in Transgender Awareness Week now to raise visibility of trans people and stories before the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 honoring the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. We've put together an online viewing guide of some notable trans-inclusive television series and films available to stream just about anywhere. Whether you're revisiting an old story or finding something new, this list can help you find some memorable stories.
Please note some of these services require subscriptions or rental fees.
On Netflix, you can enjoy the hit original series Orange is the New Black about the diverse cast of inmates at a women's prison. The series features trans advocate and actress Laverne Cox as incarcerated trans woman Sophia Burset. The independent film Gun Hill Road is also available for streaming on Netflix, which follows ex-con Enrique who returns from prison to find his teenage child has come out as trans and is now named Vanessa (trans actress Harmony Santana, who was nominated for a Spirit award). The 1990 documentary Paris is Burning about New York City's ball culture and house system in the late 1980's is also available to watch instantly.
The full first season of Amazon's new original series Transparent is available for instant streaming. The series follows a Los Angeles family as Maura (Jeffrey Tambor) announces her transition to her kids and ex-wife. 1982's The World According to Garp, based on the celebrated novel by John Irving, costars John Lithgow as transgender former football player Roberta Muldoon who lives in a home for abused women run by the protagonist’s mother. A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story, a TV movie about the true story of trans teen Gwen Araujo who was killed in an anti-trans attack in 2002, is also available to watch on Amazon Instant.
On Hulu, check out the documentary Southern Comfort chronicling the life of trans man Robert Eads as he falls in love with a transgender woman named Lola before eventually succumbing to terminal cancer. The 1993 series Tales of the City, based on Armistead Maupin's San Francisco-based book series of the same name, includes one of pop culture's most beloved trans characters in the enigmatic landlady Mrs. Madrigal. Romeos is also available for instant streaming. The film follows insecure trans teen Lukas who is swept away when he meets a confident guy named Fabio on the club scene.
Narrative web series Brothers is available to watch on YouTube. The series follows four trans friends living in Brooklyn as they try to figure out love and life in the big city. AOL Originals recently premiered True Trans which follows Laura Jane Grace, the trans lead singer of punk rock band Against Me!, on tour and includes interviews with several trans fans at concerts.
Visit glaad.org/TDOR to learn more about how you can participate and let us know some of your favorite trans-inclusive films and TV in the comments!