Boys Don’t Cry 1999 Transgenderism

Q1. Explain the impact of the social and cultural influences on sexual attitudes and behaviors as it relate to Brandon.
Boys Don’t Cry depicts the challenges faced by a young man in the 1990s attempting to transition from female to male. Transgenderism is the technical term used to describe someone who was born a particular anatomical sex, but identifies as the opposite gender. The film shows the difficulty of transitioning when the concept of gender is tied to anatomical sex. Even today, in more liberal cultural contexts and environments, there is often a great deal of tension when someone comes out as transgender. This tension is exacerbated in an area of the country where hyper-masculinity is embraced and the division of roles between the two genders are heavily policed.
Ironically, one of the reasons that Brandon Teena is so attractive to his love interest in the film, a woman named Lana, is his non-traditionally male sensitivity. Lana likes the fact that Brandon is able to show greater sensitivity and kindness than some of the other men Lana has encountered in Falls City, Nebraska. But Brandon is clearly one of the guys, and enjoys the typical pursuits of young men in the area. Brandon clearly feels a sense of release and the ability to be his true self in the environment. The film is also interesting because it shows that not all individuals who identify with non-traditional sexual personas will necessarily feel at home in large, East Coast cities where presumably transgenderism would have been more tolerated, even in the 1990s.
Brandon clearly wishes to seem to be a man, as his culture defines it, and despite his tenderness to his girlfriend, his manner of self-presentation is extremely masculine. This is one of the reasons he has convictions for violent activities that ultimately prove to be his undoing. It also may impede his ability to find people who are more understanding of who he is. Although Lana is very kind and accepts Brandon completely, the other individuals who he initially befriends turn on him violently when he is revealed to be transgender. It is clear that they view transgenderism as evil and deviant, and are unable to accept other ways of being in the world.
Q2. Describe the socio-sexual development of men and women and the developmental changes that occur over the life cycle.
The film makes it clear that the socio-sexual development of transgender persons, regardless of context, is often problematized in a culture which denies the phenomenon exists. Ironically Brandon is able to self-present as a male fairly effectively, stuffing a sock down his pants, cutting his hair short, and assuming a very masculine demeanor. The outward trappings of gender can be easily assumed and constructed, highlighting the extent to which gender itself is constructed, even though transgender persons may experience their sexual nature as intrinsic to their beings. The challenge arises when Brandon wishes to be a fully sexual being. Lana accepts him, but it is clear that sexuality on a physical level is a difficult and fraught issue, because it demands a level of honesty from Brandon he has never been able to express with any other human being until now.
Q3. Discuss the implication of Brandon’s decisions to conceal that he was a born a female.
But another fraught social issue is the extent to which legal and procedural issues inhibit his transitioning. Even though Brandon wishes to live his life as a male, there is a mountain of paperwork he must overcome which says he is female.
Q4. You will also need to consider the impact of the condition on the individual and his immediate family members in terms of how this condition may influence the psychosocial, emotional, financial, and possibly legal status of the family.
His condition also has an undeniable impact on the people who love him, like Lena, given that she too is stigmatized for loving a man who is not biologically male. This causes her own gender and sexuality to be questioned by others. Although Brandon’s concealment creates problems, the film makes it very clear why Brandon felt a need to hide the fact he was transgender, given the violence and discrimination he faced.
Q5. Write a description of how of the psychological disorder and/or the therapy that was portrayed.
His transgenderism is continually viewed as problematic throughout the film, even by the authorities.
6. Write a critical analysis of how accurate or inaccurate you found the portrayal of the disorder/therapy. Show evidence of your knowledge of the psychological disorder/mental illness or the type of therapy.
This perception that transgenderism rather than prejudice against the transgendered is the problem is perhaps the most sobering and realistic aspect of the film.