Creating Space for Mixed Trans Folks: Tony Zosherafatain & His Upcoming Docu-Series Trans in Trumpland

By: Sedona Cruz and Kenna Tanouye

Introduction from Sedona Cruz

Tony Zosherafatain, transgender artist, activist, and filmmaker sat down with us at Mixed Life Media to invite us into the world of his project Trans in Trumpland; a four episode docuseries being released on Topic, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video on February 25th. Conducting this interview as a mixed race transgender filmmaker myself, I felt a sense of community that I hadn’t seen in a very long time as trans representation, in especially the world of film, is scarce if at all existent whatsoever; the few shows featuring genderqueer and/or transgender characters casted predominantly white. It truly has not been until the last few years with roles such as MJ Rodriguez’s Blanca Evangelista and Indya Moore’s Angel Evangelista in Pose, where, for the first time, these characters began to be not only represented in all aspects of their identity but showcased as the star. This is something that is not only rare but also stigmatized, and this show has confronted and communicated that through its plot and character development, something most shows involving trans characters had never had the commitment to involve. It wasn’t until I saw that one of my biggest role models, Chella Man, had joined on as an executive producer (him being a major mixed race artist and icon over the process of my own transition) where I discovered Trans in Trumpland.

Documented through the lens of Director Tony Zosherafatain, this documentary series follows several diverse transgender individuals during Donald Trump’s presidency. Throughout his term, Trump and his cabinet consistently attacked transgender people’s basic human rights, from limiting trans teenagers’ ability to participate in athletics and use of public bathrooms, to attacking access to healthcare during a global pandemic.. Throughout this interview, my team and I were in awe of the immense talent this piece holds, and we are so excited to share it with you. This is a close up look into the world of filmmaker Tony Zosherafatain and Trans in Trumpland.

Growing Up & Relationship with Being Mixed

From an early age, Boston native Tony Zosherafatain navigated the world from a distinctly unique perspective. As a first-generation American, with his mom immigrating from Greece and his dad immigrating from Iran, he has had to navigate through a society that has not always had the greatest track record of accepting those who don’t fit its cookie-cutter image.

With the common sentiment of not being enough or being too much for those around you, like many mixed folks, Tony has had to constantly find his middle ground. “Being mixed with both Middle Eastern and Greek, it has definitely given me a lot of insight into kind of like straddling a border. I will say, sometimes, I pass as a person of color and sometimes I pass as white, so it’s kind of given me an interesting lens through which I can connect with a variety of people,” Tony explained.

Although liberal Boston allowed Zosherafatain freedom to express himself in his style and the sports he played, his family was still a target of xenophobia, especially in the aftermath of September 2001. Despite racist attacks and even his family’s house getting egged on multiple occasions, he always tries to honor his family’s heritage, be proud of his mixed identity, and thread his empathetic nature into his work as a filmmaker.

Finding Mixed & Trans Representation

When Tony was younger, he didn’t have access to relatable content that reflected who he was as a mixed trans man in a pre-YouTube society. In this day and age, adolescents are lucky to have the internet and social media platforms to find mixed and trans creators sharing their stories and art through a wide range of mediums.

Highlighting some of the early influences he did have, Tony mentioned, “In terms of growing up, with my mixed identity specifically, there were a lot of Iranian directors that created such interesting films under such an oppressive government, and the ways that they did that were really interesting to me.” While attending college at Wesleyan University, Tony was finally able to articulate the realization that he was trans. Coinciding with that, he was able to hear from Los Angeles-based trans filmmaker Silas Howard, and see the pathway of filmmaking as something attainable for people like himself.

While Hollywood has become more representative of its audiences and the people of today, Zosherafatain does mention we still have a lot of work to do. “I think it’s great to see change and also to be a part of the movement to continue to push trans identity into the mainstream media, but I still think we have a long way to go,” he explained. With it being hard enough navigating day-to-day life as a multi-ethnic individual, in a historically very white and cisgender film industry, independent mixed trans filmmakers like himself have had to face a lot of adversity to get to where they are today.

Navigating Multiple Identities in the Industry & TransWave Films

Entering the industry with little to no previous connections, Tony had difficulties first launching his career, but didn’t let that stop him from pursuing what meant the most to him. “It was an uphill battle at the beginning, but I feel like I found my groove.”

Finally hitting a point of success from their endless hard work during the beginning stages of starting their production company, TransWave Films, Tony discussed the trials and tribulations he has faced to get to where he is. Focusing mainly on trans stories and content exploring trans identity, Tony stressed how authenticity is better able to shine through when the creatives and those calling the shots can relate to it on a personal level. “When you have experienced ‘isms’ yourself, you can really shape those stories better I think and more authentically,” Tony expressed.

Co-owned and operated with one of his dear friends, Jamie DiNicola, Tony and their team have had to clock in long workdays [with TransWave Films] to compete with major production companies. When asked about their production process, Tony talked about how, “It's a lot of putting your boots on the ground, getting on Kickstarter and getting funds in unusual ways, because [they] don't have access to millions and millions of dollars.” But ultimately, they both wouldn’t change it for the world.

Developing Trans in Trumpland & Response for the Docu-Series

“The title came to me out of nowhere…I was with my mom and sleeping after Trump’s election victory was a nightmare. All of a sudden, [it] just popped into my head. I was like, 'wow, I need to roll with this, this is a catchy title you know?'" exclaimed Zosherafatain. Telling the stories of four different individuals in U.S. states with no trans legal protections, this docu-series has been slated to release at the end of next month. Although it began funding and development in 2018 and filming was completed in 2019, it picked up a lot of attention over this past summer when notable figures in the LGBTQ+ community, like Trace Lysette and Chella Man, got announced as new executive producers on the project.

When asked about feedback and response to the docu-series so far, Tony stated how, “Overall, it's a really positive response for sure. There have been some transphobic haters, and it happens on social media, but they're minimal." He even mentioned the stories and project resonating with groups of people and networks he did not think would be receptive of it. “Even cis folks I thought would have hated the title were interested,” Tony mentioned. Along with widening the variety of content that people have access to and can learn from, Tony and TransWave Films hope this project will be a step in the right direction toward validating the stories and experiences of trans people in the United States, especially through the difficulties of these last four years.

Trans People in the Industry & Mentoring the Next Generation of Trans Creatives

Although being trail blazers and leading the charge for any movement are incredibly necessary, it can be both exhausting and daunting to carry the importance of representation on one’s back. Dealing with an industry that is slow to change, progress and improvement can seem next to impossible for those going against the grain. For Tony, he was thrilled to discover that there were more trans people working in film than he had previously thought. “There are a ton of trans producers and directors that I’ve networked with and some that are putting themselves on more of the business side of things”.

Coming full circle and talking about how he and his production company would like to pay it forward toward the next generation of trans creatives, Tony was enthusiastic to detail out his plans and hopes for future programs he wants to start up.

“Oh my god, I love this question. I've been talking to my co-owner, and we want to start a trans youth mentorship program to mentor the next generation of trans creatives,” he exclaimed. His advice for aspiring filmmakers and writers is grounded in a lot of what he mentioned earlier: be proud of your identity and hone in on your creative skills. But ultimately, taking that first step is more than half the battle. “Go with your gut. If you want to do something like this, just go for it, you can make a career out of it”, Zosherafatain reassured.

With our country finally coming to terms with its racist and exclusionary actions in all aspects of our political and social history, we are finally being more conscientious of the lack of diversity in the entertainment we consume. "My advice for the next generation is that, it's such a pivotal, good moment right now. I think that Hollywood is listening more and more to trans people, queer people, people of color, and I think that change is occurring,” Zosherafatain concluded. It has definitely taken long enough and we know that Tony, TransWave Films, and Trans in Trumpland, are exactly what we’ve been waiting for.

Conclusion from Sedona Cruz

In a world over the last four years where I was constantly questioning not only my identity, but my existence on the daily, as a filmmaker I work to create worlds where I want to exist. To not only be tolerated and accepted, but to be loved and celebrated. When this interview was conducted, Trump was still secured in office, and personally I wasn’t sure how much of my life would come to change if reelection became reality. Like many others, I was tired, physically drained of having to walk down the street being stared at. Always people’s eyes searching into your soul, trying to figure you out as if you are some sort of puzzle. But as the election neared I was surprised as the unexpected became real. For the first time in history, over 220 LGBTQ+ candidates won elections from local to senate, I saw transgender and non-binary people like myself elected into powerful positions, who for the first time set a precedent for the power of queer people. It is here and now that we can no longer sit back to watch attacks on an entire community; this year I have seen too many of my brothers and sisters abused on camera, murdered in the street. I can no longer watch people like me be harassed, an entire community face discrimination for just going to a bathroom. For the first time in queer history, our stories are not only being told accurately, but especially with empathy. Through these stories, Tony Zosherafatain’s series depicts trans people in not only their true identity, but accentuates the strength in community. I hope this series impacts you as it would any other trans person, because what we must realize is our time is now, let’s change history.

If you would like to learn more about Tony you can visit tonyzsite.com, for info and updates on the docu-series go to transintrumpland.com, and to see more of the amazing work that Tony and Jamie are doing with their production company check out transwavefilms.com.