Jim was a 47-year-old genetic male from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who knew in childhood that something was very wrong because when the house was empty he was compelled to dress in his Mom's clothes. He cross-dressed in secret for 35 years until he finally told his wife, 12 year old daughter, mother, siblings, in-laws, business associates, clients and friends that he would spend the rest of his life as a woman. This is the story of Jim's arduous path to becoming a feminine heterosexual woman and the tragic effect that transition has had on his family.

Jim dated girls since he was 12 but always fantasized he was the girl - a girl named Jamie. When Jim began having sex at 13 he always fantasized that it was Jamie who was being made love to. Consumed by this humiliating secret, Jim tried to eradicate his compulsion by becoming a "real" man - a race car driver, a construction worker, a jock. It didn't work. When Jim met Brenda, he felt sure by marrying her and fathering a child he would cure himself. That didn't work either.

The marriage withered and sex all but stopped. Jim was rarely home and Brenda assumed he was having affairs. In fact his compulsion had become unmanageable and for a decade before coming out Jim was leaving work to cruise malls dressed as Jamie. It was the only way Jim could find peace. Jim contemplated suicide but realized that that would be even more destructive to his family than coming out.

"The Opposite Sex, Jamie's Story" follows Jamie and her family for months after Jim comes out. The clearest victims of Jim's transformation are Brenda, his wife of 25 years, and Samantha, their 12-year-old daughter. Despite the protests of her parents, Brenda stays with Jamie and finds it in her heart to understand the pain he has endured throughout his life. Brenda's biggest concern is shielding Samantha from emotional difficulties and the humiliation of her daddy in a dress.

These are real people trapped by circumstances beyond their control. Their feelings swing poignantly between free-floating anger and congenial humor. Jamie and Brenda clearly still love each other and are forced to deal with the pain and loss that has comes with Jamie's transformation.

Jamie's personal journey is the other story thread of the film. Jamie doesn't want to just be female, she wants to be a "girly girl." We follow her to hairdressers, lingerie shops, voice lessons and to a plastic surgeon who does a computer simulation of her face after feminizing facial surgery. We hear many opinions on what it is to be a girl and how Jamie can become one. Gender and sexuality are explored this way throughout the film.

Finally, we follow Jamie from Michigan to Beverly Hills surgeon Dr. Gary Alter, who will perform the sex change operation. The fascinating medical details are delicately covered and the surgery is clearly, though, tastefully presented.

Winner Best Documentary at LA Outfest Film Festival

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For more information contact:
Josh Aronson - Aronson Film Associates
phone: 212-253-6941 - fax: 212-253-8863
eMail aronsonfilms@aol.com

For purchase information contact Showtime