Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Disclosure’ on Netflix, an Essential Documentary About Transgender Representation in TV and Film

Netflix’s release of Disclosure couldn’t have been more timely. The documentary — subtitled Trans Lives on Screen — is a Pride Month offering that details the history of transgender representation in film and TV, and arrives just as news headlines report a variety of related developments: The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that workplace discrimination against LGBTQ employees is illegal. The Trump administration’s axing of healthcare protections against trans patients. The murder of two black trans women, part of an ongoing scourge of violence against trans people. The emergence of the Black Trans Lives Matter movement. And an ill-informed anti-trans screed by Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling stirred righteously heated retorts. Disclosure‘s variety of trans voices seems to be exactly what the current conversation needs. 

DISCLOSURE: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: The opening moments of Disclosure show progress: An old clip of Oprah asking trans model Lea T. point-blank questions about genitalia, followed by a more recent clip in which Oprah asks trans activist Janet Mock about feeling “othered” — which is precisely what Oprah did to Lea T. The irrepressible talk-show host did significant work to change negative stereotypes and perceptions of trans people for the better, but like many things covered in the documentary, there was a learning curve. And it can be a mixed bag: The film’s commentators celebrate the increased representation of trans people in media, which leads to greater confidence and, unfortunately, more instances of prejudicial violence.

Notably, all the talking heads in the doc are trans, ranging from filmmaker Lilly Wachowski (The Matrix) to writer/actress Jen Richards (Mrs. Fletcher) to author/professor Susan Stryker to actor/writer Chaz Bono (American Horror Story); leading the commentary is Laverne Cox, the Orange is the New Black star and Disclosure executive producer who’s become the trans community’s most vocal and visible representative. They start with a studied commentary on early 20th-century filmmaker D.W. Griffith, tying the disgusting racism of Birth of a Nation in with his crass stereotypes of transgender people, which set an unfortunate precedent for the next 100 years of media representation. The most revealing statistic: 80 percent of Americans don’t know someone who’s trans, so the entirety of their experience is formed by ugly depictions in TV and movies. And most of those depictions make transgender people the butt of cruel comedy or brutal violence.

A number of director Sam Feder’s interviewees share extraordinary anecdotes. Richards came out to a close friend, who immediately compared her to Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs. Cox worshipped Yentl when she was younger. For some, the upside of Jerry Springer’s exploitation of trans people was how those guests got an opportunity to share their stories and humanity with wide audiences. Some commentators believe Boys Don’t Cry was a breakthrough; others lament that it’s yet another story about a trans person being a victim of brutality. And then there are passionate defenders of Bugs Bunny’s cross-dressing tendencies as being a rare instance of positive trans representation from the mid-20th century. What’s up with that, doc? These perspectives are vital to our understanding of culture, politics and media, that’s what.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Disclosure inevitably compares itself to The Celluloid Closet, a 1995 doc — released during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era — exploring the depiction of gay, lesbian and trans people in Hollywood films.

Performance Worth Watching: Cox continues to be the strong, straightforward and diplomatic face of a civil-rights movement.

Memorable Dialogue: “I’ve died so many times (on camera), I can’t even count.” — Candis Cayne laughs incredulously about many of her TV roles, from CSI to Nip/Tuck to Grey’s Anatomy

Sex and Skin: Some nude scenes clipped from movies and TV.

Our Take: Disclosure isn’t the most visually compelling documentary out there, but its subject matter is essential. By focusing on the depiction of transgender people in media, it underscores the importance of representation in general, and how it benefits not just the art of storytelling, but the lives of those consuming it. Not everyone featured in the film is in lockstep with their opinions, illustrating how complicated the subject matter can be, and how personal experience colors our perception indelibly.

The general consensus is positive: Compassionate and realistic portrayals of trans people are on the rise. The conversation and language surrounding the trans population is evolving, and the Oprahs of the world are making positive steps in their education and understanding of the science and sociology of the transgender experience. Why would Candis Cayne grin and bear it through stereotypical, problematic trans roles? So she could be poised to break some ground with a worthy, high-profile part in ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money — and Cox says that instance of representation was a clear inspiration for her to dig in and pursue a career as an openly trans actress.

There’s more grace than anger in the voices of this film, which is calm, studied and captivating in its focus — although some people share deeply personal stories, don’t expect an overly emotional or histrionic argument. The stuff on D.W. Griffith is deep and fascinating; you’ll be inspired to watch Paris is Burning, the 1990 doc about New York ballroom culture; and the end of the film is a parade of positivity through the many TV series (Transparent, Pose, Sense8) featuring the type of trans representation may mark the end of hurtful stereotypes on screen. We hope, anyway.

Our Call: STREAM IT. Disclosure stokes empathy and gives voice to those who struggled to be heard for too long. It offers vital education for some and inspiration for others. Now someone please duct-tape J.K. Rowling to a chair and make her watch it.

John Serba is a freelance writer and film critic based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Read more of his work at johnserbaatlarge.com or follow him on Twitter: @johnserba.

Stream Disclosure on Netflix