Grayson Perry explores gender identity in new Born Risky series for Channel 4
By Josh Lee
Channel 4’s new short-form series sees artist, Grayson Perry, discussing his own gender identity and meeting people from the trans and cross-dressing communities, who’ve taken risks to be themselves.
In the first film, which is out now on All 4, Grayson Perry opens up about starting out cross-dress when he was a child and then his journey into the person and artist he is today, while the following episodes will see Grayson reach out to other people who are turning the traditional idea of gender on its head. One of the first people Grayson meets is a model called Tschan, 24, who returns to Brixton where she was bullied when younger.
The second is Geoff, 66, a transvestite truck driver who has opened ‘Tina’s Hotel’, a haven for other transvestites at his Essex home.
The third person Grayson meets is EJ, 42, a trans male fashion historian who is now comfortable in his male identity but who bravely wears wear a dress for the first time in 30 years to challenge traditional gender stereotypes.
Dan Brooke, Channel 4’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said that the series was part of Channel 4’s commitment to reflecting Britain “in all its diversirty.”
He added: These inspiring stories have been brilliantly brought to life by Grayson, offering an important insight into the transgender world.”
Grayson Perry said: “I am very proud to be part of Born Risky it was fascinating, fun and a privilege to meet and work with three such brave, tender souls. If just one viewer feels more confident enough to live the gender they feel driven to live then we would have done our job, but I’m sure these lovely films will do much better than that.”
‘Born Risky: Grayson Perry’ launches on All 4 on Wednesday 2nd November on All 4 and on Channel 4’s Facebook and Twitter