The Girls Next Door tells the story of two transgendered people
and
their struggle for acceptance within two formal and often rigid
institutions - the church and academia. Sara Herwig, a male-to-female
transsexual, is the subject of controversy in her quest for ordination
as the first openly transsexual Minister in the Presbyterian Church.
John Southard, 65 year old Professor Emeritus at M.I.T, has recently
come out as a cross-dresser - throwing the conservative Geology
Department into confusion. The Pastor of the Presbyterian Church
in
Waltham is John's wife Jean, who as a wife, is an understanding and
compassionate partner, and as the church's pastor, a supportive and
strategic mentor to Sara. As John digs in his high-heels and Sara
negotiates conservative doctrine, their journeys weave a story that
intersects gender identity, acceptance, the immutability of established
institutions and the ultimate affirmation of human resilience.
For donations in support of this project, please send your tax exempt
contribution to Documentary Educational Resources www.der.org
and put "Alice Bouvrie - The Girls Next Door " on the check or credit card donation
This program is supported in part by a grant from
the Arlington Cultural Council, a local agency which
is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council,
a state agency.
