(The following is a review by Katherine Spada '08 of a documentary film co-produced by alumna Beth Burkhart)
A documentary co-produced by Beth Burkhart '93 about the world's first transgender gospel choir made its Los Angeles debut at the Outfest 2007 Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on July 18. Directed by Todd Holland, The Believers follows the journey of the Transcendence choir and each of its members from the group's inception, through its winning of an Outmusic Award in 2004.
Burkhart says she hopes the film, which begins airing on the online digital network Logo on Saturday, Aug. 11, demonstrates the power of inclusion and acceptance. "Good stories can really change how people think," she says.
At its premiere last summer at the Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco, The Believers won the audience award for Best Documentary. A second Los Angeles-area screening will be held at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 22 at the Directors Guild of America Theatre Complex, located at 920 Sunset Blvd. Tickets are $12 at the door.
The Believers opens with the voice of each choir member proclaiming, "I am made in the image of God." The statement sets the stage for the balancing act that members of Transcendence must perform, caught between two seemingly opposing forces: the transgender community and the Christian ministry. Many from both sides of this spectrum might at first be shocked or offended to discover that members of their community are in some way fraternizing with the enemy.' But the main mission of Transcendence is to show that there is no ground for hostility between Christians and transgender individuals.
Holland says he was motivated to make the documentary after a colleague, Ash, shared news of his impending gender transition. After witnessing the transformation, Holland said he learned much about the issues present in the transgender community. Known now as Ashley, Holland's co-worker ironically looked to faith and worship to help soothe the pain of ignorant accusations that transgender people are "abominations" in the eyes of god. As Ashley began taking steps to create the Bay Area choir, Holland says he started filming.
Ashley and fellow choir members Prado and Bobbie Jean give personality to the struggles of the group at large. Each tells a different story about gender transition, and about seeking success in a musical group whose members' vocal ranges are tempered by inexperience and hormones. As the film progresses, the characters grow more comfortable with their performances, their status as notable figures in the transgender community, and their message that god made them the way they are and will return their love.
Following Wednesday's screening, Holland and Burkhart, who met in Los Angeles in 1996, expressed relief that as they documented the choir's growth, a story emerged about its journey to the United Church of Christ international synod in 2003, where Transcendence members sang and shared anecdotes in order to promote acceptance of LGBT people in the UCC's official policies.
The two filmmakers say they hope to screen The Believers at churches, universities, and community venues over the next two years, as well as international film festivals.