The series, which explores the unique barriers trans people face in sport, has received funding from Screen Australia, NZ On Air and TikTok’s Every Voice initiative to support diverse and distinct creators in the creation of innovative content exclusively for audiences on TikTok.
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Created by the team behind Rainbow History Class (@rainbowhistoryclass), TransAthletica will follow the story of Rudy Jean Rigg as he explores the unique challenges faced by trans people in sport, asking questions like, how do we define a person’s gender, or what determines a “normal” amount of hormones, and how we can change sport systems to be less gendered?
Sport is the new frontier of trans rights. This year has given trans athletes more visibility than ever, as sporting codes and age-old institutions are forced to grapple with notions of gender and equality. And for many trans athletes, this conversation is a brutal match being played out on a very public field.
Co-Writer and Host, and former Victorian State Badminton player, Rudy Jean Rigg says: “I had to stop playing sport because I needed to affirm my gender to be myself. To be happy. I want TransAthletica to help show people the immense amount of challenges that transgender and gender diverse people face in sport, how a simple answer to inclusion may not be the best one and, ultimately, drive home the fact that trans people don’t just deserve the right to play sport; we deserve the opportunity to win.”
TransAthletica wants to investigate if there is a world where trans athletes don’t just have the opportunity to participate but to win.
Director Hannah McElhinney says: “This series is so important because transgender athletes are so often told by the media they have an ‘unfair advantage’, yet face more unfairness on their road to complete than most other athletes.”
“TikTok is a diverse and inclusive community where creativity thrives, and where everyone can find their voice and be celebrated for being their authentic selves. We want everyone to have this opportunity and are excited to support TransAthletica, a series that aims to expand our understanding of the issues facing trans people in sports,” says Felicity McVay, Director of Content Partnerships TikTok AUNZ
Rainbow History Class is a TikTok channel dedicated to teaching queer and trans history, which is also hosted by Rudy Rigg. In just 12 months Rainbow History Class has reached a combined 500k followers across TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat that has grown to become a live performance and a book. Rainbow History Class host Rudy Jean Rigg is a featured talent of Sydney World Pride 2023 and is featured in their promotional campaign, Rudy is also shortlisted for Online Influencer of the year at the British LGBT Awards 2022, which takes place in June.
TransAtheltica is hosted and written by Rudy Rigg, co-written and directed by Hannah McElhinney, produced by Amina Soubjaki and edited by Carly Paterson. The series is a Snack Drawer Original production, to be released in June 2022 on TikTok.
PRODUCTION CREDIT: Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with NZ On Air. Financed with support from TikTok.
