Transgender entertainer Levi Truax attended Santa Camp to train as a Santa and work on diversifying how the public thinks of the beloved holiday tradition. He and partner Heidi Truax, also known as Dr. Claus, spread joy throughout the holiday season.
Somehow the fascist Proud Boys found out about one of his appearances at a local church and showed up for a “Save Santa” rally.
The protestors can’t stop Santa Levi and Dr. Heidi, though. Via The Advocate:
The teenager who greets Trans Santa in the film hints at some of that struggle. They tell Santa they want to get a binder, a compression undergarment to flatten breasts for teens who identify as gender-nonconforming or transgender.
Truax smiles and nods knowingly. As he talks, a string of Christmas lights on four evergreen trees behind them illuminate the December sky.
“I know when I got my first binder, it changed me,” Truax tells his visitor. “It empowered me to have the body of the person I wanted to be.”
The teenager looks up to Santa, their face brightening in a smile.
“It’s very empowering being in your presence,” they say.
Sadly, Levi is not the only Santa to get pushback. Santa Chris, featured on the poster below, has had to deal with haters who feel Santa should only be white.
The film also looks at Fin, an aspiring Santa with spina bifida, as well as other folks who are pushing to expand the traditional role of Mrs. Claus to make her more than a warmup or sidekick for Santa.
Watch.
Image: YouTube / HBO Max
