BY JOANNA C. VALENTE
Trans Monogamist is the new web series that follows four Brooklyn twenty-somethings dealing with gender identity, sexuality, dating, and just surviving in New York City. The show's protagonist, River, is a trans nonbinary writer who wants a real relationship but can’t seem to find a monogamous partner in a sea of polyamory becoming more and more common.
Other characters in the show include Harbor and Greta, River’s neighbors and friends from college who are in a long-term relationship, as well as Joseph, who is an outgoing socialite of sorts. Joshua Byron and Alfredo Franco not only play River and Harbor, but serve as co-creators and writers of the series, which is put out by Artless Media.
What I love most about the show so far is its ability to be vulnerable, open, and honest. Polyamory has always been around, but with more and more people being upfront about choosing that relationship style (and more people trying it out), it’s refreshing to see River struggle with figuring out what works for them. The show doesn’t moralize either side, but shows the honest struggle and journey we all have to experience to find happiness - and what works for us.
Trans Monogamist is, as Byron and Franco say, a modern queer version of “Sex-and-the-City-inspired, Gilmore-Girls-loving, DIY-embracing series written by the actors. It’s like a sad version of Broad City, contemplative and a little wilted, like the paint is peeling and you want to scratch it off - but oh shit - now it’s a whole other thing.”
Watch the first three episodes below:
Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. They are the author of Sirs & Madams, The Gods Are Dead, Marys of the Sea, Sexting Ghosts, Xenos, No(body) (forthcoming, Madhouse Press, 2019), and is the editor of A Shadow Map: Writing by Survivors of Sexual Assault. They received their MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is the founder of Yes Poetry and the senior managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine. Some of their writing has appeared in The Rumpus, Them, Brooklyn Magazine, BUST, and elsewhere. Joanna also leads workshops at Brooklyn Poets. joannavalente.com / Twitter: @joannasaid / IG: joannacvalente / FB: joannacvalente