Filmmaker David France released a Netflix doc Friday about Marsha P. Johnson. It is based on Reina Gossett’s work (her statement below). pic.twitter.com/YtQiVMuOjm
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) October 7, 2017
In an Instagram post posted to Twitter by Janet Mock, a black trans activist, Reina Gossett, says that her work was used by filmmaker David France for a new Netflix documentary about another trans activist, Marsha P. Johnson.
Gossett alleges in the post that France used the work and grant application from her and a partner to create the film. According to Gossett, she was not given credit or financial compensation, despite France receiving a multimillion dollar deal from Netflix to create the fim.
"This week while I'm borrowing money to pay rent, David France is releasing his multimillion dollar netflix deal on Marsha P. Johnson," wrote Gossett in the Instagram post. "This kind of extraction/excavation of black life, disabled life, poor life, trans life is so old and so deeply connected to the violence Marsha had to deal with throughout her life."
France responded to the comments made by Gossett, in a tweet to Mock, noting his own friendship with Johnson and detailing his own challenges in making the film. You can read his full statement, as well as Janet Mock's thread on the subject, below.
Hi Janet. Please see below. pic.twitter.com/sHjz9CvU7T
— David France (@ByDavidFrance) October 7, 2017
Reina Gossett is a black trans woman who reintroduced our gen to ourselves by uncovering/recentering trans women of color revolutionaries.
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) October 7, 2017
She researched/archived/digitized content inaccessible for decades. She interviewed Marsha & Sylvia’s peers. She did this work without pay.
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) October 7, 2017
Meanwhile Reina is borrowing money to pay rent as viewers around the world watch a film based on her unpaid & uncredited work. Not OK.
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) October 7, 2017
Support Reina Gossett — she made @hbdmarsha w/ @sashawortzel! Book her as a speaker! Let others know about her work! https://t.co/CM86S8ckYF
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) October 7, 2017