Documentary of Richardo (Sara in The Salt Mines) a former homeless prostitute TS [transsexual]
living with HIV reforms to a Born Again Christian.
“Tranny Fest 1998 Program.” Tranny Fest, November 1998. Personal Archives.
This Emmy TV Award winning documentary finds out what has happened to the ex-inhabitants
of the Slat Mines give years later. Terry, a fundamentalist Christian from Texas,
patrols the Manhattan streets looking for transvestites and transsexuals to convert
to heterosexuality by transforming them into men or at least the sexless and celibate,
covenant keeping eunuchs whose names, according to biblical lore, will be made an
eternal monument within the walls of Jehovah's house.
Gina (now Hugo) and HIV-positives Sara (now Ricardo), hoping to escape dying alone
on the streets, have accompanied Terry. After marrying in Texas, Ricardo returns to
help recruit old friends Gigi and Giovanna. Though just out of prison Gigi refuses
to believe that anyone can really suppress something so strong in their nature, and
Giovanna, who has been rescued from the streets by her sister continues to live as
a woman accepted by her family. Finally, Ricardo though born again, confides just
before his death that though he has repented his past life, 'the real truth is, I
enjoyed it.' And if he had a choice to do it all again? ' I would choose to be a woman.'
“The Second International Transgender Film & Video Festival Program.” London: Alchemy
Festival Productions, 1998. Personal Archives.
