Need To Know: Her Story

Before she became a household name on I Am Cait, trans actress and writer Jen Richards starred in Her Story, a series of six 9-minute episodes on the dating lives of two trans women in L.A. Contrary to Tangerine, these protagonists are not working girls, but career-driven women trying to find the one, like any other sister out there.

Also a vocal transgender rights activist, Jen Richards (who penned a cover story on the inner workings of the trans moment for our sister publication, The Advocate) co-wrote and co-produced the series, along with co-writer and co-star Laura Zak and director Sydney Freeland (Drunktown's Finest).

The plot: A bar waitress, Violet (played by Richards) is drawn to Allie (Zak), a reporter who approaches her for an interview on trans women. Meanwhile, businesswoman Paige (Angelica Ross) meets James (Christian Ochoa), a man who finally makes her want to open up.

"Trans women in the media have long been punchlines, killers, indications of urban grit, pathetic tragedies, and dangerous sirens," Richards says about the show. "Rarely have they been complex characters who laugh, struggle, and grow; who share strength in sisterhood; who seek and find love."

After crowd-sourcing its production budget, Her Story wrapped in the fall and was just released in full (and for free) on streaming platforms. The six episodes will also be screened throughout the month of January at LGBTQ festivals in California (click here for schedule).

Watch the first episode below: