As an actor and filmmaker, River Gallo is used to telling thought-provoking stories from the perspective of a fictional character. However, their latest project required them to grapple with the challenge of relinquishing control of their personal narrative.
Gallo, who uses the pronouns they/them, is one of three intersex activists profiled in new documentary Every Body, which hits theaters Friday. Directed by Julie Cohen, the film carefully examines the trauma many intersex people experience in their youth. Ultimately, however, it is a tribute to those who, as they mature, embrace their true selves and, in many cases, advocate for societal change.
“It was very bizarre and uncomfortable actually inhabiting my body and allowing a film crew to haunt me for a year and a half,” Gallo told HuffPost. “But Julie has tried to create a safe space for us to express ourselves in genuine ways, and that has empowered us to be the unique expressions that each of us is.”
Watch the trailer for Every Body:
The term “intersex” refers to people whose biology does not fit traditional societal definitions of sex and gender, and who in most cases have a combination of male and female physical, chromosomal and hormonal characteristics.
It is estimated that 1.7% of babies are born with intersex characteristics. However, unambiguous data on the community are scarce as these children are classified as male or female on the advice of medical professionals and often require surgery in infancy.
Interestingly, Cohen got the inspiration for the documentary after learning about David Reimer, a Canadian who was not intersex but whose life experiences are relatable to many in the community.
At the urging of John Money, a noted psychologist and sexologist in the 1960s whose theories have since been considered problematic and even contradictory, Reimer was raised as a woman after his penis was severely injured in a botched circumcision as an infant. He only found out the truth about his identity later and committed suicide in 2004 at the age of 38.
Open Image Modal filmmaker Julie Cohen (left) is pictured with River Gallo, who is portrayed in Every Body.
Amanda Edwards via Getty Images
Cohen, who co-directed the 2018 documentary “RBG” about then-Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, keeps Reimer’s story central to the narrative of her film. She believes his case takes on new relevance today as “our understanding of gender continues to evolve and expand.”
As eager as Cohen was to delve into such rich and complex issues, she insisted her documentary convey a “good, positive, and fun” message about the intersex community as a whole.
So she reached out to Gallo — as well as fellow activists Sean Saifa Wall and Alicia Roth Weigel — hoping to not only encourage viewers to educate themselves, but also to feel motivated to do more research about, and eventually for, intersex people to fight the causes of the community. Together, the trio provides the many humorous and happy moments in the film.
“It doesn’t matter what the outside world gives you or doesn’t give you,” Cohen told HuffPost. “It’s about going through a situation where you were told to shut up and say out loud, ‘That’s my truth and now I’m fighting for myself and for others.’ That’s a win right there.”
Open Image ModalFrom left: Sean Saifa Wall, Alicia Roth Weigel and Gallo, all appearing in Every Body.
She further remarked, “These three people took on great challenges and met them with so much pride and beauty.” It doesn’t matter what the outside world says or does. Your victory will be achieved through this action.”
It’s safe to say that Cohen has successfully accomplished her mission, as ‘Every Body’ premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last month to critical acclaim. The New York Times called the documentary “very compelling,” while said, “The film leaves one feeling that with greater awareness and collective action, the future of the intersex community can be powerful and bright.”
Gallo is particularly pleased that “Every Body” portrays Wall, Weigel and himself as “cool people trying to make a difference in society.”
“With all the anti-trans bills in the US, queer culture makes it clear that trans people don’t get endorsement,” Gallo said. “But it negates the fact that intersex people are still oppressed.”
They added, “I want intersex people to feel seen, understood and celebrated so much that they believe anything they want to achieve in their life is possible.”
If you or someone you know needs help, call, text or chat with 988lifeline.org for mental health support. Additionally, visit dontcallthepolice.com for local mental health and crisis resources. Outside the US, please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention.