Watch Born to Be

Born to Be is a documentary film centered around the groundbreaking work of Dr. Jess Ting, a plastic surgeon who specializes in transgender healthcare at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. The film takes an intimate look at the lives of several patients as they navigate the physical and emotional changes of gender affirmation surgery.

One of the main subjects of the film is Leiomy Maldonado, a world-renowned transgender dancer and choreographer who has become a vocal advocate for transgender rights. Maldonado opens up about her experiences with gender dysphoria and the obstacles she faced in pursuing surgery, including discrimination from doctors and insurance companies.

Through interviews with Dr. Ting and his team of medical professionals, the film delves into the complex medical procedures involved in gender affirmation surgery, including facial feminization, chest reconstruction, and genital reconstruction. Viewers are given an inside look at the rigorous screening process that patients must undergo in order to qualify for surgery, as well as the challenges that arise during recovery.

Born to Be also touches on the broader societal issues surrounding transgender healthcare, such as the high costs of surgery and the lack of insurance coverage for many patients. The film highlights the importance of advocacy and education in creating a more inclusive healthcare system for transgender individuals.

In addition to Maldonado, the film features several other patients who have undergone gender affirmation surgery with Dr. Ting, including Cashmere, a trans woman who struggled with addiction before finding at Mount Sinai, and Mahogany Phillips, a transgender singer and songwriter whose journey toward self-acceptance is chronicled throughout the film.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are presented with a diverse range of perspectives on transgender identity and the challenges that transgender individuals face in society. Born to Be ultimately serves as a powerful call for greater understanding and for the transgender community, offering a humanizing portrayal of those who seek to live their lives authentically.

Overall, Born to Be is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant documentary that sheds light on an important and often misunderstood issue. Through its focus on personal stories and medical procedures, the film succeeds in creating a compelling and nuanced portrait of transgender healthcare and the individuals who benefit from it.

Born to Be is a 2020 documentary. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.