Try Think: About Gender – Transition to Self

In partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System (HSPLS), we will be hosting a three-part series of Try Think conversations around the theme of transition, exploring the complexities in the shift from physical to digital spaces, maintaining intergenerational connections, and gender identity.

• What are different ways we experience transition?
• What does it mean to be in transition?
• How do others’ transitions impact our own lived experiences?

We invite you to come and share a thought or question you would like to discuss to connect with others in your community.

Try Think: About Gender – Transition to Self  |  (Conversation 3 of 3)

Apr 28, 2021, 4:30-6:30 pm HST

Register in advance for this meeting: t.ly/STq6

This Try Think event will begin with a viewing of the short documentary, The Rogers of Samoa.  Following the 16 minute film, we invite you to stay and connect with each other in  community conversation; to share  your ideas, questions, and reactions to the film.

Directors’ Statement: Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson

The mahu of Hawaii, leitis of Tonga and other transgender women are highly visible across the Pacific Islands and often play an important role in society. We made four films over the past decade bringing a diversity of stories from these communities to light, helping to humanize their existence in a sometimes unwelcoming, even hostile world. As we traveled the globe for community engagement screenings with these films, the most frequent question we heard was “What about transgender men–are they out there too?” During a screening visit to Samoa, we were introduced to The Rogers, the first organized and visible group of trans men in the Pacific. Like many marginalized, misunderstood, and vulnerable communities, they were eager to share the realities of their lives, their hopes and dreams, fears and difficulties, and most important, their dedication to building a community that offers safety and support to those who have been told they are undeserving.

This is the beginning of their story.

How do we relate to their story?

• How much of our identity is created by others, instead of by ourselves?
• How does being part of a group identity benefit the acceptance of self?
• What role does storytelling play in constructing and accepting identity, internally and externally?
• When we use the word “community”, who is included and who is excluded? What are the reasons why?

If you would like to view the film prior to the event, you can access The Rogers of Samoa on YouTube.

If you would like to learn more about Emmy and GLAAD Media Award-winning filmmakers, Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson, and their film projects visit www.qwaves.com.