Documentaries are powerful tools for exploring the world around us and gaining new perspectives. The best documentaries about gender take a hard look at the many layers that intersect to create our social and cultural identities, offering audiences fresh insights into how gender roles and expectations shape our lives.
1. The Gender Code
We have seen a recent surge of people expressing their true identities, now more than ever. From genderfluid to transgender, non-binary and beyond – individuals are taking charge of their self-image and proudly embracing who they are. Not only that, but men are also becoming increasingly comfortable exploring their sexuality without fear or judgement.
2. Gender diversity & identity in Queertopia
Gender diversity has been a hot topic in recent years. From gender neutral language to exploring the future of sex and gender, it’s important to understand how we think about this issue – and how our thoughts are changing. What does ‘gender identity’ mean today?
3. The Big Gender Social Experiment
Eleven strangers from different parts of the world, united by one commonality: gender identity. With a variety of experiences and perspectives, they are brought together in a house – to explore what unites them as well as what makes them distinctly different.
What follows is an exploration into our collective understanding of sexuality and gender.
4. Gender
These days, conversations about the transgender community have been popping up everywhere. From Caitlyn Jenner’s transition to the Supreme Court ruling surrounding a Virginia boy’s case for using the men’s bathroom, gender has become a pressing topic of discussion. But what about those who choose not to identify as either male or female?
5. Toxic masculinity and gender roles
In the aftermath of the MeToo movement, we follow Ved – a teenager on the brink of adulthood – as he navigates his newfound independence. His journey is guided by Harish, a wise older man in his 50s who has devoted himself to breaking down harmful stereotypes about masculinity.
6. Growing Up Trans
In a world where kids are now transitioning to different genders, “Growing Up Trans” takes viewers on a journey into the lives of those impacted most by the changing and complicated gender landscape. From parents to doctors to children themselves, this documentary dives deep into what it means for our society when gender is no longer seen as black and white.
7. Transforming Gender
Transforming Gender is a powerful exploration of the issues that arise when one’s assigned gender conflicts with their true identity. As we move further into the 21st century, transgender individuals are increasingly visible in society and in the media. But behind this visibility exists an alarming level of persecution and discrimination- studies show that more than one in three transgender people attempt suicide.
8. The Consequences of Being Transgender
The struggle for transgender rights and freedoms is the first great civil rights battle of the 21st century. In the past five years, mainstream society has been forced to acknowledge the growing presence of transgender people among them. This generation of gender-variant children, celebrities, transitioning athletes, and soldiers have made their voices heard loud and clear in spite of discrimination they face.
9. What stands in the way of women being equal to men?
In All That Stands In The Way, the BBC dives deep into understanding gender inequality worldwide. Through the lives of four teenage girls from Jordan, Lesotho, Iceland and the UK, viewers gain an inside perspective on the cause and effect of gender bias in different parts of the world. Despite increasing progress towards gender parity, there is no place where men and women have complete equality. This documentary offers an intimate look at the everyday struggles of these four girls, examining how their lives are shaped by gender roles and inequality.
10. Gender Ideology
This documentary takes an in-depth look at the growing movement towards Trans rights and equality. It examines the struggles of those on the frontlines, from activists to everyday citizens. Follow along as we explore why this fight for recognition has been so important within our society.
11. Neither Male or Female
In Secret Intersex, uncover the truth about what it means to be born genderless. This groundbreaking documentary showcases a wide variety of intersex cases: couples faced with deciding between male or female genders for their babies; teenage girls who have grown up with penis structures; and adults struggling to accept their true genders after living as males.
12. No More Boys And Girls: Gender Free Kids
What if the way boys and girls are treated is what’s preventing us from seeing true gender equality? To find out, Dr Javid Abdelmoneim takes over a primary school classroom to explore this concept. From the students, he learns that how we raise our children can deeply shape their experiences in life, which leads him to some surprising conclusions about gender roles and inequality.
