MTF and FTM on MSNBC -- WTF?

With my part-time obsession of Current TV and years of addiction to The Daily Show, I’ve ignored most of the major cable news channels for quite some time. Like so many others, I had written them off as purveyors of hot button topics, only interested in the latest Ann Coulter remark, GOP sex scandal or Britney “meltdown”. But what the hell? MSNBC just made me do a double take!

While thumbing through the TV menu the other night, an MSNBC program titled Born in the Wrong Body: Girls Will Be Boys and On the Edge caught my eye. The listing described the two part doc as an in-depth look at our country’s transgender culture and community. Normally, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. TLC, Discovery Channel and Logo have all aired worthy transgender stories in the past, but was I reading this right? I’m about to watch an objective documentary series on MSNBC about New York’s ballroom culture like Paris is Burning? No freakin’ way! I was sure that I could file it away as another attempt of a major news organization trying to capitalize on counterculture sensationalism. MSNBC was out to prove me wrong.

It turns out that somebody in charge of documentary programming at MSNBC quite possibly has the intention of offering its viewers something other than shows about illegal dog fighting and bulimic cheerleaders. Now, I’m not so naïve as to think that all of middle America’s evening was spent as a revelation courtesy of MSNBC to let all those good people in suburban gated communities know that some “girls will be boys”. But after watching both parts of this very thoughtful and informative series, I can’t help but think that some of those folks (hopefully my “Stepford Wife” mother included) may have watched it and actually learned something about living as a transgender. The documentary makes such a successful attempt of showing the full spectrum of transgender life and culture, it really should be shown everywhere from public schools to Masonic lodges and beyond.

Strong work MSNBC. I’ll try to be less cynical about your news network, as you surely gave me a pleasant surprise on a random Wednesday night with a gem of a documentary that quite possibly raised the tolerance level of transgender issues to an unsuspecting audience normally reserved to other mainstream cultural interests.

Watch Born in the Wrong Body: “Girls Will Be Boys” and “On the Edge” now!

Image courtesy NBC/MSNBC