Crossing the Line

This research project investigates the different forms of male-to-female transgender identities; and whether the distinguishing features characterising different identities can be identified through the visual presentation of the self; the potential for photography to reveal insights into the transitionary processes in male-to-female cross-dressing; what insights into the transgender persona can be revealed through a methodology combining interviews and photography; and how best the research findings can be communicated to others.

Documenting the London male-to-female transgender community over a three year period from 1999-2002, this work examines different transgender practices. The introductory essay provides an overview of the project, a social context for the work, and the photographer's perspective. A particular focus of the work is an exploration of the rituals and processes involved in transition when the person cross-dresses and takes on a new persona. Interview extracts are offset against some of the photographs providing insight into the personal motivations of the person depicted.

The book documenting this research contains 72 colour photographs and is distributed in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. The methodology involved a combination of recorded interviews and photography, undertaken with individuals in both their female and male personae, in order to observe the differences between the assumed persona and the person they presented themselves as in everyday life. The use of interviews combined with photography enabled the subjects to have a ‘voice' within the work and for the research to present the subject's perspective alongside the photographer's. This is significant as it offers a new approach to photographic documentary of the transgender community and is important as this way of working has the potential to further understanding of the experiences and motivations of a largely hidden community.