The Dads: Interview with Wayne Maines
Wayne Maines is no stranger to the spotlight. He’s the father of transgender actress Nicole Maines, who played Nia Nal on the CW’s superhero drama Supergirl. Prior to this, Nicole and her family brought legal action against her school district in Maines for denying her access to the female bathroom. This was the first case of its kind to rule in favor of the plaintiff. Wayne Maines has been advocating for trans rights ever since. The short documentary The Dads, now available to stream on Netflix, isn’t so much a case of advocacy, but of community building and much-needed camaraderie.
He’s not the kind of guy that you would expect to be the poster face for the trans rights movement, which is what makes his place in this community even more special and profound. He’s an all-American guy who loves to fish and hunt, but he’s in touch with his masculinity and he understands just how that plays out in his community.
In The Dads, he joins five other dads of transgender children on a fishing trip where they can bond over their family’s struggles, the country they live in, and the fears they all hold for their children. Safety for their kids, and other transgender people in America, is a big topic of discussion on their fishing trip, as is the desire to pave the way forward and do what they can for other families that may be struggling with these issues.
He talks about how dads are often the weakest link in the family when it comes to transgender issues because they’re raised differently and come to these ideas from a different place than moms do. He acknowledges that this is not necessarily a good thing, and is dedicating his advocacy to educating dads, giving them a safe place to talk and ask questions, and showing them how to love their trans child.
“It’s not about you,” he tells other dads, “it’s about your kids.”
He understands that his position is unique, and he has an opportunity here to do great work to change the hearts and minds of other men like him as he talks about the “thirty-something” states in America right now that are currently legislating against trans kids and the transgender community. He believes he can get people to listen and he’s committed to trying.
When talking to young trans kids, he urges them to ensure they’re safe first (because so many are not) but to use their voices and get their message out there if they can.
Wayne Maines has a lot to say on this issue and is exactly the kind of ally the trans community needs. Not all heroes wear capes – some carry a fishing rod and a big, massive heart full of love for their kid, and all kids like them everywhere.
Watch the interview below.
