Our Story
My name is Mary Elizabeth Boylan, Director and Producer of this film.
In 2008, I met a wonderfully sweet man named Phillip. We quickly became the best of friends. Little did I know that I would walk along Phillip’s
side, through all the darkness, pain and tribulation, to finally have my friend
Aerin emerge. It was incredible to see the happiness and relief wash over her.
Watching one of my dearest friends struggle with such
an intense metamorphosis was astounding. Her courage and resolve was like
something I had never seen before. I was honored to have been there as witness
to her coming into her true self, despite the overwhelming obstacles.
Then I watched as her 2 ex-wives and 3 children
gradually but decidedly pushed Aerin completely out of their lives. All that
effort to be true to oneself, and she was rewarded with an unbearable
emptiness. It was painful to witness, so I truly can’t imagine how it felt- and
still feels- for her.
I want to do something to prevent this from happening
to other families. I hope to make
something so succinct, informative and heartfelt, that her own children will
come to appreciate their father again for who she has become, which is as
much in honor to them as it was to own life!
We will be highlighting the lives of several and
very different individuals in the TG community. We want to tell the stories
that inspire people to embrace their TG colleagues/friends/family, and inspire
those individuals who are still too scared to come out as their true selves.
This film will be for the betterment of all of us.
To inform the ignorant people who judge based on fear, inspire those who are too scared to come out, and to bring us all together,
as we were meant to be.
Above all, we need to learn to BE KIND to one
another. As a human race, we are all kindred spirits. All one family.
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OUR AMAZING UPCOMING INTERVIEWEES:
Jennifer
Finney Boylan: New York Times
Best Selling Author of She's Not There, GLAAD Board Member, Consultant on the Emmy-Winning show
Transparent, and one of the stars of Caitlin Jenner's I Am Cait, Jenny is also my 1st
Cousin once removed, a discovery we made through the development of this Doc.
I’m particularly honored to have Jenny involved, not only because she’s
my newfound family, but because of her profound and relentless advocacy for the
TG community.
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Lana Moore: Lana is MTF 3rd Generation Firefighter
and Captain of the Columbus, Ohio Fire Department (my home State!). She’s also
a parent, public speaker and board member of GLAAD. So honored to have Lana with us as well. She does incredible work educating our youth about bullying.
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Calisto
Thompson: Cal is our 22-year
old FTM who lives in Minneapolis, MN. He went to an all-girls college in the
deep South. He wasn’t able to dress as a woman until he graduated and left
school grounds.
He’s working 3 jobs, supporting his Mother and Stepdad who are out of
work, and trying to save money for his transition surgery.
Such an upbeat, positive hardworking soul! Articulate, intelligent and
brave, Cal is truly incredible! And there's so much more to his story that we can't wait to tell!
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STORIES WE HAVE FILMED:We were lucky enough to be invited to the Southern Comfort Conference, the renowned and largest Transgender Conference in the country, hosted this past year in Westin, Florida. Here are some of the stories and interviews we have so far:
-MTF Business owner from Atlanta GA who has a wonderful relationship with
her wife of 42 years, her daughter and her grand daughter!
-FTM (Female to Male) 35 year-old Construction worker from West Palm
Beach, FL who couldn’t have transitioned without the support of his amazing
Mom.
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-From Holiday, FL, Mother who brought her 14 year-old FTM Son to the SCC,
not only for him, but to learn more herself. She’s determined to help her son's Father accept him for who HE is.
-MTF (Male to Female) Attorney from Tifton, GA. Has a renewed
relationship with her children and continues to practice law.
-70-year old MTF who survived a physically and verbally abusive Father,
the front lines of Vietnam, and has grandchildren from her 2 Sons. She came to
SCC to be inspired, and couldn’t believe the love she found!
-MTF Schoolteacher from Marion, IA who hasn’t come out publicly, but is
supported by her family for the next 7 years when she can tell her story…and
how it never affected her caring for her students!
-MTF from Santa Maria, CA whose ex-wife used a loophole in the Texas
court system to keep her daughter away. Jessica has created an advocate
organization to help the entire Transgender community with legal issues related
to custody of their children.
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-Kristen brought her FTM Son to SCC to celebrate his coming out, and so
he could make friends. In fact, Leo is adamant that his Mom is indeed his very
best friend!
-Peyton and Maggie: Maggie brought her 17-year old FTM Son to South
Florida from the UK to support him while he has his top surgery at the recovery
center. And she’s his best friend!
-Tyler and Simone: Mother and FTM Son Tyler came from Italy to Leland and
Bonnie’s center. Tyler says his entire family-especially his Mom- have
supported him the entire way from the beginning!
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-Leland & Bonnie: Leland is FTM, and married to Bonnie since before
his transition. Together they own and run the New Beginnings TG Surgery
Recovery Center, hosting patients from all over the world.
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The Cast and Crew of the AFI Thesis Iris Prize-winning
short film, VESSELS: An entirely Transgender cast with Maria Roman, Hope Smith and Diamond Cruz.
A heart-wrenching film
about a poor girl in Los Angeles who will do anything to have the body
she belongs in, regardless of how dangerous the procedure may be for her. Being Transgender is NOT
a choice.
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Solena Sulin Chaniago: MTF Indonesian
celebrity and actress based in Manhattan, NYC. She’s the first
openly TG woman to be vocal in her home country, a predominately Muslim State.
Her blog is full of positive energy and encouragement. She intends to continue to inspire
others to live life to the fullest.
Solena has been on countless Indonesian TV shows discussing her
transition and speaking out against bullying. She’s played a few roles in the
Asian film market, and is about to start her acting career in Los Angeles.
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Our Team
Mary Elizabeth Boylan- Director/Producer
Will Jobe- Cinematographer/Co-Producer
Christian Lainez-Sound/Co-Producer
Bodo Goerisch/Co-Producer
The first film I created (Getting Lemons) was an Official Selection of 5 major international film festivals, garnered 3 nominations and 1 win. It was also selected to screen in the Academy Awards Short Film Competition. I was lucky enough to work with such amazing people on that film, whom it would have never happened without! Intend to pour all that they taught me into BEing KINDred, and make it ten times the success.
Will, Christian and Bodo are all brilliantly talented, wonderful souls. I'm honored to be working with all of them on this film!
Finally, I have to say that this isn't just about my friend. This is about the Transgender community as a whole: A part of our society with a 41% suicide rate.
Between 2007 and 2008, I lost my Mother, along with 4 other family members. I attempted to end my life. The love and support of my friends and family was what got me through that level of depression. I know how dark and lonely that place is when you don't want to live anymore. I can't stand by and watch an entire community of people continue to be isolated and forced into that kind of a place. Something has to be done.
Should anyone have any further questions for me about the production, myself, anything, please don't hesitate to email me at maryelizabethboylan@gmail.com.
Thank you so much for your time and attention to our page! We hope you can be part of making BEing KINDred come to life!
