Across the U.S. politicians are working to strip away civil rights for the trans community, restrict access to health care and discrimination in everyday life is rife. It’s an issue making headlines but recent polls show that the majority of Americans claim to not know someone who is transgender. With no personal connections and knowledge of issues facing the trans community, will the average citizen want to step up and fight against the rising discrimination and violence?
Director Luchina Fisher is working to help change the lack of connection to members of the transgender community with her documentary Mama Gloria, telling the story of Chicago’s trailblazing pioneer and transgender activist Gloria Allen. The film actually opens with a scene featuring activist and writer Janet Mock presenting Gloria with an award from the Trans 100 for her pioneering work. Fisher was inspired to make Mama Gloria because of her own young daughter, transgender advocate and actress Gia Parr who was recently seen on Pose.
Now in her 70s, Gloria became her true self before the days of Stonewall and witnessed countless moments of LGBT+ history in her hometown of Chicago. She survived assaults and discrimination to start a charm school for homeless transgender youth in 2011 and is still working to help her community.
The film, which presents Gloria’s history and her contemporary life as she navigates her golden years with her characteristic humor and love, opened season 13 of AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, the documentary series on WORLD Channel and worldchannel.org.
