EXCLUSIVE Interview with the Cast (Macy, Sharon, Robyn, Andrew) of NEW GIRLS ON THE BLOCK
Brittany Banks - April 10, 2015
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Half the cast of NEW GIRLS ON THE BLOCK -- Andrew & Robyn and Macy & Sharon -- along with Caroline Gibbs, the Founder and Director of The Transgender Institute in Kansas City, spoke with TV Tango at the Television Critics Association Winter 2015 Press Tour. In our interview, they discussed their reasons for being on TV, talked about their history and transitions, and revealed a few surprises.
NEW GIRLS ON THE BLOCK, the first original commission for Discovery Life Channel, is a reality series that offers an authentic look at a group of transgender friends living in Kansas City, MO. Originally called THOSE GIRLS, this program is the first television series to embed with a close-knit group of friends in the transgender community and profile who they really are, capturing the essence of these courageous women as they overcome all of the obstacles before them. This series follows four pairs: best friends Kassidy and Chloe, navigating the challenges of transitioning together; couple Tanya and Jaimie, who have moved back into Jaime's parents' house while handling child-related issues with Tanya's ex-wife; married couple Macy and Sharon, facing relationship hurdles since Macy's recent transition, but still very much in love; and Robyn and Andrew, previously best friends before Robyn's transition and are now romantically involved.
About Robyn & Andrew: Robyn, 27, and Andrew, 25, have gone from best friends to lovers. After eight years of friendship and two years of dating, the couple continues to grow in their relationship despite the lack of acceptance they receive from Andrew’s family who has difficulty accepting Robyn’s transition. Both working as IT consultants, Robyn and Andrew also face another challenge; this will be the first time Robyn will reveal her former life to her co-workers and friends in the Kansas City area.
About Macy & Sharon: Macy, 50, and Sharon, 56, share a unique and inseparable bond. After five years of marriage, Macy decided to reveal to Sharon who she really is and decided to transition. Although Sharon can have a difficult time coping with Macy’s transition, she remains loyal and continues to support her spouse. Sharon has helped Macy blossom into the beautiful woman that she is today even though it requires tremendous courage on her part at times, including helping Macy to dress shop at the same location Sharon bought her wedding gown.
About Caroline Gibbs: Caroline Gibbs, Founder and Director of The Transgender Institute in Kansas City is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. For the cast of NEW GIRLS ON THE BLOCK, Caroline played a pivotal role in providing emotional support, guidance, encouragement, and her unique holistic approach, throughout their transition process at The Transgender Institute and beyond. Caroline's accepting and understanding nature continues in the context of the docu-series to create a comfortable and trusting environment in which the six women can flourish.
The five-episode NEW GIRLS ON THE BLOCK premieres on Discovery Life Channel on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT.
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Macy & Sharon |
TV Tango: Were any of you reluctant to display your personal lives on national television? If so, what prompted you to participate? Macy: I had my reservations about doing the show. You’re basically giving up your privacy, and we’re outing ourselves on top of it. Being transgender, it’s really taking a big risk. BUT - our presence on TV will give someone hope. It may prevent someone from doing harm to themselves. We have a forum where we can actually make a difference in people’s lives. And non-transgender individuals may be able to identify with us as well. |
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Sharon: I’m a very private person and a lot of people were not aware that Macy is transgender. My family didn’t even know and I worried about how they would react. I wasn’t so much concerned about how they would act towards me, but how they would treat Macy. But they were accepting. |
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Macy & Sharon Photo Credit: Samantha Levi/Discovery Life. |
TV Tango: Sharon, it’s very noble of you to stand by Macy because when you married her, she was a man. So this isn’t exactly what you signed up for. Sharon: Can’t let go of a good person. Robyn: I definitely had reservations because I, up until now, lived in stealth. Nobody in my life knows that I’m transgender: not my job, not my friends, nobody. Like Macy said, being outed on national television is a big deal. We are on the forefront of something that hasn’t been done before. Our story brings a lot to the table because it shows normal, average people who just happen to be transgender. I hope that it proves that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not worth the self-harm or other negative things that happen. If it helps just one person see that happiness is ascertainable, then what I’ve done is not in vain. I’m so excited to do this! |
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Andrew: I was a little hesitant at first, but I told Robyn, “If you’re going for it, I’m behind you.” I think it will help people. It will show people that we live normal lives just like everyone else. |
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Sharon keeping Macy company while Macy gets her bike ready for her first ride as a woman. Photo Credit: Discovery Life. |
TV Tango: Robyn and Macy, what is your response to straight people who argue that being transgender is a choice, or worse, a sin? Macy: This really has nothing to do with sexual orientation. There’s a term called “cisgender,” which refers to a person who has congruency with their mind and body. It’s not a choice, or – if you do want to say that there’s a choice – there’s a choice between life and death. And we chose life. And as far as sin, I was a Baptist Sunday school teacher. There’s nothing in the Bible that speaks against transgender outright. Robyn: I think people twist words in the Bible to make it correspond to what they want. But God loves you for who you are, regardless. And I didn’t choose to be trans any more than that person chose to be straight. I mean, how ridiculous does that sound? |
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Robyn getting excited to be getting some undergarments while shopping Photo Credit: Discovery Life. |
TV Tango: At what ages did you discover that you were transgender, and when did you actually come out? Robyn: I knew from as long as I can remember. I acted on it at 23. It was just something I couldn’t control. It was always there and never went away. Macy: I just knew that I was different, but I didn’t know what it was. I didn’t have the language for it until 18 or 19-years-old. It took much longer to reach a breaking point. I started my transition at 46. You’ve built this life, then all of a sudden you’re changing directions. It takes a lot of energy and effort to turn that ocean liner around. |
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Robyn & Andrew |
TV Tango: Robyn and Andrew, do you hope to get married and have kids? Robyn: Absolutely! Andrew: We have talked about adoption. And we’re definitely leaning towards marriage. |
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Andrew, Robyn, Aiyana, Jaimie, Macy, Sharon, Kassidy and Chloe Photo Credit: Samantha Levi/Discovery Life. |
TV Tango: What do you hope NEW GIRLS ON THE BLOCK will accomplish? Caroline: To normalize this population for the entire world, so that in ten years or so, we won’t even think about it. Macy: To be relatable. Regardless of what walk of life we come from, regardless of gender identity, regardless of sexual orientation, just relate to us as human beings. That sums it up! |
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Before NEW GIRLS ON THE BLOCK premieres on Discovery Life Channel on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT, check out this trailer.
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