Markie in Milwaukee

At the age of 46, Markie Wenzel, a fundamental Baptist and licensed minister, makes a life-altering decision to come out as a transgender woman. This brave step leads to significant upheaval in her life, including the end of her 20-year marriage and estrangement from her three children.

After coming out, Markie begins rebuilding her life, landing a job as a TSA agent. This role symbolizes her attempt to create a new identity and provides her with a semblance of normalcy as she works toward her goal of undergoing sexual reassignment surgery.

Over the next decade, Markie faces ongoing challenges as she grapples with her identity and her place in a community that has largely rejected her. As a seven-foot-tall woman, she feels the weight of societal expectations and the difficulties of presenting herself in a feminine manner.

As time progresses, Markie reflects on the impact of her transition on her family life, including missing the births of her grandchildren. This longing leads her to reconsider her choices and the consequences they have had on her relationships.

Markie's journey forces her to re-examine her faith and beliefs, questioning her fundamental Baptist upbringing and how it aligns with her identity. This spiritual exploration weighs heavily on her as she struggles with acceptance from her community.

On the eve of her sexual reassignment surgery, an unexpected change occurs when Markie decides to abandon her female identity and return to living as a male. This startling choice marks a pivotal moment in her journey, reflecting her inner turmoil and uncertainty.

Markie enters a period of 'de-transition,' a complex journey where she sheds her female identity and confronts the implications of her choices. This phase is marked by both liberation and pain as she seeks to reconcile her past with her present.

In a powerful act of closure, Markie visits her family's cemetery plot to lay her female identity to rest. This symbolic gesture represents the finality of her earlier decisions and highlights her ongoing struggle with identity.

Markie makes the choice to return to her former Baptist church, attempting to reconnect with her spiritual roots. This decision reflects her desire for acceptance and a sense of belonging within a community that once cast her aside.

As Markie strives to mend her relationships with her estranged children, she faces a challenging and emotional journey. This reconnection is fraught with complexity, as both sides navigate their feelings about her transition and later de-transition.

Throughout her journey, Markie expresses a desire to lead a good and simple life, seeking peace within her identity. This longing encapsulates the core of her struggles and aspirations as she navigates the complexities of gender and acceptance.

Markie's story serves as a microcosm of the broader societal discussion around identity, acceptance, and belonging. Her experiences illuminate the fears and challenges faced by those who defy conventional norms and the search for self-acceptance amid adversity.

As the film draws to a close, viewers are left contemplating the permanence of Markie's identity changes. The uncertainty surrounding her female identity invites questions about the fluidity of identity and the ongoing journey of self-discovery.