Beyond the transformation

Being gay is okay, sometimes. In the 21st century being gay or a lesbian is mostly
accepted and those who mostly dont accept it have looked the other way. But what about all the
other queers? The reason I emphasize that gay is okay because society still is adamant to all other
sexualities, genders and gender expressions. One of the least talked about or most ignored is the
trans community. Mala Mala, a documentary film directed by Antonio Santini and Dan Sickels,
is a glimpse into the life, struggles and fights of trans in Puerto Rico. This documentary follows
nine trans individuals and their journeys of transformation. Ivanna, one of the protagonists works
actively as a spokesperson for the trans community, shedding some light on their often ignored
needs, such as healthcare and job opportunities.
Mala Mala begins with Samantha, a transgender women that started her treatment with
black market hormones. She briefly talks about how society sees her, those moments when you
feel people staring asking themselves is that a man, a woman, an alien, what is she? and she
says I guess Im a little bit of everything. Further along in the film she speaks about her drastic
body changes, since she wasnt taking advice from a doctor and maybe not the right dosage for
her body, she started gaining weight, her skin started sagging, she lost her sex drive and she was
in a relationship. Here in this discussing we can see a bit beyond the transformation itself, we see
the consequences it might have if not administered properly and the effects it has on the
transsexuals loved ones. Due to having no job, she relies on drag shows to generate a bit of
income to support herself.
Just like Samantha, Alberic, April and Queen Bee Ho work as drag queens, but to them
it takes a more protagonic role in their life. Alberic on one hand, likes being a man and says he
will remain a man por los siglos de los siglos, but he adores his drag persona Zahara Montier.

Later on he reveals that there came a point where he thought he was two different people, but
hes moved past that and recognizes hes one person, a man, whos alter ego is a women and he
manifests that as a drag queen. Just like him is April whose goal is to compete in RuPauls Drag
Race. Something I find really interesting about him is that he kind of bashes people who turn to
prostitution for a living, saying that you can choose what you want to do with your life and if you
end up there it was your choice. Which well see later on clashes with what other members of the
community think about prostitution. Queen Bee Ho is another girl in The Doll House which
is basically a house where certain drag queens go to get ready to perform. She sees herself as a
performer, this version of herself is the diva thats in her that she unleashes once she gets on
stage.
These three women have very particular stories: Soraya, Sophia and Paxx. Soraya says
she was born with gender dysphoria, something she describes as feeling like a woman but
looking to others like a man. She has a very strong opinion about those individuals who dont
complete the transition from man to woman, saying they only want the good aspects of being a
woman (the breasts, the makeup, the attention), not the whole package. Sophia moved from New
York to Puerto Rico more than 20 years ago to undergo hormone treatment, but as a I understand
she still has her male genitalia. Her transition was how everyone imagines it is, she says she was
basically trying to fit into a mold of what a woman is supposed to be: blonde and beautiful.
Finally, theres Paxx. One of a kind in the documentary, shes a woman that feels like a man, but
looks too much like a woman. She wraps her breasts so they look smaller and has short hair, but
has yet to undergo invasive hormone treatment. Paxx says Yo sueno con estar por ah en la
playa sin camisa. Which highlights the differences between a woman transforming into a man
and a man transforming into a woman.

Following Samanthas intro, we look into Ivanas life, whos well known for constantly
being in Puerto Ricos mass media talking about trans issues. She has been the one to tell people
and let them know this is a community that needs attention and that needs to have its rights
respected. Part of her efforts include providing transsexual prostitutes with condoms so they can
work and not be at risk of disease. In terms of transition, shes completed her transition into a
woman completely. Joining her in these efforts is Sandy who hasnt completed her transition
because of her work as a prostitute, given the fact that most men that look for her services want a
woman with a penis. I considered extremely interesting the fact that shes in a relationship with a
bisexual man and you dont get to see this aspect of trans life anywhere, because you cant know
by just looking at them. Together they for the Butterflies Trans Foundation, Inc. The greatest
achievement for them was the approval of law 238 which prohibits discrimination in the work
place based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
What I think is the most important thing this documentary accomplished was letting
people know the vastness of this community and how much diversity there is in our small island,
even inside the trans community theres an incredible amount of diversity. Theres healthcare,
security and obvious economic issues that we need to address, and specially with people that are
already in a disadvantage just by being who they are. Mala Mala was amazing and raw, it has
done beautiful justice to the trans of Puerto Rico.

Citations
Storify,. "Negative Portrayal Of Homosexuals In The Mass Media And Its Effects On The
Gay Community (With Images, Tweets) Amyeromano". N.p., 2016. Web.
The American Prospect,. "Counting The Transgender Community". N.p., 2016. Web.
Montalvo, Xavier et al. "El Documental Boricua, Mala Mala, Recibe Ovacin En Tribeca
Film Fest". QiiBO. N.p., 2014. Web.
Mala Mala. Dir. Antonio Santini, Dan Sickels. Perf. Jason April Carrion, Samantha
Close, Ivana Fred. Killer Films, 2015. Film.