Markie in Milwaukee 2020

Markie Wenzel is a former licensed minister and fundamental Baptist who, at the age of 46, made the transformative decision to embrace her identity as a transgender woman. This significant choice led to the end of her 20-year marriage and created a rift with her three children. Additionally, it resulted in her dismissal from her church and alienation from her community.

In the film, we first encounter Markie in 2008, as she strives to rebuild her life after such profound changes. At this stage, she works as a TSA agent and is on her journey towards obtaining sexual reassignment surgery. However, as the years go by, Markie finds herself reflecting on her life choices—grieving missed milestones, such as the births of her grandchildren, and reassessing her faith. Notably, she faces the unique challenge of presenting her female identity while standing at a remarkable height of seven-feet tall.

As the narrative progresses, the climax arrives right before her surgery when Markie unexpectedly opts to reclaim her male identity, leading us into a captivating second half of her story. This segment tracks her journey of “de-transition,” where she makes a poignant visit to the family cemetery plot to symbolically lay her female identity to rest. Markie seeks to return to her former Baptist church and to mend the strained relationships with her family members.

The film, crafted by filmmaker Matt Kliegman, offers an extensive collection of over a decade’s worth of verité footage combined with contemporary interviews. Kliegman adopts an observational style reminiscent of Diane Arbus, capturing the essence of Markie’s experience in a manner that is both intimate and voyeuristic, balancing tragedy with hope.

Markie’s intention remains straightforward: to lead a good life in alignment with her spiritual beliefs. However, her journey becomes a reflection of the broader societal discussions surrounding identity—spiritual, political, and personal—and the innate fear many have towards those who do not conform to established norms. As the film unfolds, audiences are compelled to consider a deeply resonating question: When those around you refuse to accept you for who you are, what steps can you take to find self-acceptance?