“No Ordinary Man” is an in-depth look at the life of musician and trans culture icon Billy Tipton. Complicated, beautiful, and historically unrivaled, this groundbreaking film shows what is possible when a community collaborates to honor the legacy of an unlikely hero.
Billy Tipton lived his dream as a successful jazz musician who began playing at radio stations, touring prominent clubs, then signing a contract which led to recording two albums with his band The Billy Tipton Trio. When he died in 1989, the medical examiner revealed Billy was actually born female. The public couldn’t make sense of how his gender assigned at birth was kept secret all those years even amongst family. Some say he pretended to be a man in order to succeed in music and others claim he was living a lie fooling the public, but there’s so muchmore about Billy’s story that was never recognized.
“No Ordinary Man” is a celebration of living life unapologetically and preserving history that was meant to remain hidden. Because of Billy’s story, many transgender men and women have found strength, bravery, and self-acceptance, knowing there have always been others like them all along. I love everything about this film, it offers courage, compassion, and understanding in a world still struggling to accept differences in others.
Now playing at the IFC Center in New York City
