Reflecting on the Importance of Authentic Narratives in Trans Storytelling
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Quen for several years, given our shared involvement in media production within a small community. When her film, Some Women, premiered last year, I was both intrigued and thrilled. Witnessing a friend tackle such a significant project, especially one close to her heart, was inspiring. While we initially aimed to conduct an interview at the Singapore Film Festival last year, the timing only recently aligned for this conversation with Quen.
As I prepared, anxiety crept in. Here I was, a cisgender male, interviewing a trans woman—would my article reveal my ignorance? Would my choice of words invite backlash? Did I have the right to share Quen’s story when our life experiences diverged so greatly?
Listening back to our recording, I cringed at how often I mentioned “change,” fearing it could be misconstrued as dismissive. But through our dialogue, Quen imparted an unexpected lesson on courage—not in the way one might expect. “There’s no denial that I’m trans,” she stated, “and it was very empowering.”
Quen emphasized the challenge of openly discussing her journey. She recalled feeling the pressure to present a polished version of her experience, one that conformed to societal expectations—“the passing woman who is blending in.”
Some Women encapsulates this sentiment: everyone has a unique journey, regardless of their position on the gender spectrum. The documentary follows three trans women, including Quen herself, sharing their experiences in Singapore.
Every narrative starts with a fundamental need—the need for trans individuals to tell their own stories. “This was an opportunity to reclaim our voices and power,” Quen shared. “For too long, cisgender straight individuals have dictated our narratives, often misrepresenting us.”
Acknowledging my role in this misrepresentation chills me. I recall a docudrama series I worked on in 2008 titled Behind Closed Doors, which included an episode about trans individuals. Looking back, I wonder if I contributed to a more positive representation. In another project, a comedic film featured trans characters as antagonists, perpetuating harmful stereotypes for laughs.
While I could attribute my past mistakes to youthful ignorance, that would merely be an excuse. I recognize my complicity in perpetuating harmful narratives. When Quen addressed this, I felt compelled to silently apologize for not doing justice to trans representations.
She is absolutely right about the significance of a trans person sharing their own story. Quen’s genuine and resonant portrayal in Some Women revealed aspects of her life I had never truly grasped before. Though I have always found her to be professional and kind, her story illuminated a new depth of understanding.
Through creating Some Women, Quen reflects the authentic and raw journey of a storyteller. “I discovered a stronger version of myself, one filled with more pride and courage, confronting Singapore’s long-standing silence around the existence of trans people.”
I hope Singaporeans begin to engage in meaningful conversations about trans individuals. Not in the superficial way we’ve discussed other figures, but with genuine understanding and respect. It’s crucial to depict trans stories more fairly in the media. For all past shortcomings, we must strive to do right by the trans community moving forward.
