Becoming Colleen (ATOM Study Guide)

Becoming Colleen is a documentary about one woman's transition from male to female in the conservative coastal community of Coffs Harbour on the NSW mid-north coast. Having lived most of her life as Colin – a husband, father, policeman, film projectionist and self-declared shoe fetishist – Colleen faces the challenge of transitioning her gender identity late in life.

From early childhood, Colleen knew she was a girl in the body of a boy, but after the untimely death of her sympathetic mother she sought acceptance by suppressing a vital part of herself. Colleen went on to marry Heather and became the father of two sons. It was only later in life that she started to open up to her wife.

After losing Heather to a brain tumour, Colleen finds herself living alone in Lime Tree Retirement Village. She takes the first steps to live openly as a transwoman, and finds some unexpected allies: Heather's best friend Denise, who lovingly helps her select her daily outfit, and the delightful Yvette who comes by to do Colleen's makeup. Social worker Rowena Bianchino supports Colleen as her physical reality contradicts her desire for independence and as the time arrives for Colleen's move into full-time care.

Curriculum Links:

Becoming Colleen endorses a social view of health: that health is created in the communities in which we live, and that it is important to empower individuals and communities to take action to promote health. Through viewing and studying the documentary, students are able to identify that human development is about expanding individuals' choices; enhancing individuals' capabilities and their freedoms; and enabling people to live full, productive and creative lives.

Older LGBTI+ Australians have experienced less tolerant times. They have suffered stigma, discrimination, criminalisation, family rejection and social isolation. These negative experiences have shaped their lives and impacted on their health and wellbeing, affecting their self-acceptance and their self-esteem. Many older LGBTI+ people lack the support networks and access to resources that they need to live life on their terms. Becoming Colleen provides an insight into the significant challenges facing LGBTI+ people, particularly the elderly.

This study guide to accompany Becoming Colleen has been written for secondary students in Years 10–12. It provides information and suggestions for learning activities in English, Ethics and Health and Human Development. Teachers are advised to consult the Australian Curriculum online and curriculum outlines relevant to their state or territory for further information.

Becoming Colleen is also a valuable resource for students undertaking certificate and tertiary studies in Community Services and Health. While the study guide has been specifically written for students, many of the suggested activities may support the professional learning of health and aged care workers, and facilitate discussion in community groups supporting elderly people who identify as LGBTI+ and their families and friends.

The Becoming Colleen study guide invites students to:

• share their responses to the story told by the documentary;
• ask questions about the ideas and issues explored in the documentary;
• analyse the construction of Becoming Colleen and comment on the ways it represents an interpretation of ideas and experiences.

The study guide is structured as a series of discussions that follow the narrative told by the documentary. The activities promote student engagement and active participation via individual reflection, class discussions, and small group and team work. Multiple activities are provided to allow teachers to select those which will best suit the demands of the subject and the needs of the students. Teachers may select from the information and activities to support students' viewing and close analysis of Becoming Colleen.

Activities in this study guide provide opportunities for students to acquire a knowledge and understanding of:

• the concepts of gender, sex and sexuality;
• the concepts of respect, acceptance and tolerance;
• the establishment of personal identity and the factors that shape identity;
• societal attitudes to people who identify as LGBTI+;
• the specific health and wellbeing needs of the LGBTI+ population and subgroups within this population;
• ways to improve the health, wellbeing and lived experiences of LGBTI+ people;
• policies and practices to support older LGBTI+ people;
• the impact of gender identity discrimination;
• issues facing people who want to affirm or transition gender identity;
• the importance of challenging and preventing gender identity discrimination;

Teachers are advised to preview Becoming Colleen before showing it to students. Students should be briefed about the content and purpose of Becoming Colleen prior to viewing. For some students in the class, viewing the documentary may be confronting. Teachers need to respect the circumstances of these students and remain aware of their sensitivities.

Becoming Colleen is available to stream for 7-day rental, 30-day rental, 1-year rental and lifetime access here. The DVD is also available to purchase here.