Transgender woman documented own transition on film

This year LEAF Sudbury will celebrate Person’s Day 2015 with a presentation of the feature-length documentary film, “She’s a Boy I Knew” on Oct. 8.

The film and the reception that follows will be in the Sheridan Auditorium at Sudbury Secondary School on College Street. For 20 years, LEAF (the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund) celebrated Person’s Day in Sudbury with a breakfast. This is the sixth year of the LEAF Sudbury Movie Night.

Person’s Day is the anniversary of the Privy Council of Great Britain declaration in October 1929 that Canadian women must be deemed "Persons" and therefore allowed to vote.

The Women's Legal and Educational Fund — LEAF to its many friends — celebrates the anniversary in every major city in Canada. Our event offers financial and moral support of LEAF, a national non-profit organization, as we promote equality for women and girls through legal action and public education.

LEAF has challenged discrimination against women by intervening at court cases on workplace and work issues, family issues, and on behalf of disadvantaged women. It has supported Francophone rights, intervened in the "Rape Shield" Law and the Privacy of Personal Records.

LEAF has helped ensure that in Canada we have a clear definition of consent in criminal law. Many of the decisions LEAF has won are being challenged again. As well, the government’s cancellation of the Federal Court Challenges Program on which LEAF depended makes fundraising events like this even more crucial.

As well, we give books for local students and the public on Charter Rights issues.

“She’s a Boy I Knew” director Gwen Haworth uses archival footage and animation to document her own male-to-female gender transition through the eyes of her family, best friend and wife.

At times painful, funny, awkward, the film explores Gwen’s own, her community’s, and perhaps our, unspoken assumptions about gender and sexuality. There is some nudity and some coarse language in the movie.

Local businesses and professionals can sponsor the event and LEAF by advertising on screen before the film. To become a sponsor at $150, phone Tannys at 705-586-6915.

Tickets at $25 each are available at the Apollo Restaurant on The Kingsway, Gloria’s Restaurant, Laurentian University and at the door. The ticket price includes the gala reception after the film.

Charter memberships for the Downtown Indie Cinema will be available at this event.

Dr Chris Nash is a retired psychologist and LEAF supporter.