Framing Agnes tells the story of a woman in the 1950s, who lies to the UCLA gender clinic in order to gain access to gender-affirming surgeries – and returns to that same clinic years later to reveal her gambit. The documentary playfully cuts between interviews with experts on trans history, and re-enactments of historical materials, performed by an all-trans cast. Thus, the movie doesn’t just portray a history of trans people who, as they do today, navigate society in order to carve out an authentic life for themselves, it is also a film about the process of history-making and re-making. It’s a film in which clever, playful trans people are both the subjects and the tellers of the story.

The ensuing panel discussion will respond to the movie, and delve into the many ways that trans history is being created today. The exact contents of the panel will be announced later.

To attend this screening, you must purchase a ticket via the website of DeSien. A link, as well as details about the location, ticket sale, and the availability of community tickets will be made public soon.