Janet Jackson to make documentary about transgender community

Janet Jackson is reaching out to the global transgender community with her first foray into film production.

The documentary, entitled Truth, will explore the stories of transgender people around the world. Jackson intends to conduct the interviews herself as well as serving as the production's executive producer, with the intension of demonstrating that "all of our hearts are the same". Directed by Robert Jason, the film will go into production this summer.

Jackson said: "I've been fortunate to make friends and learn about very different lives. Truth is our small chance to ask that you try and understand someone who lives their life in a way that is a little bit different from yours, even though all of our hearts are the same. We want to stop the hate and find understanding."

Director Jason added: "Janet Jackson will take us on a visually innovative, cerebral journey through the turbulent lives of transgendered people of all ages around the world and their epic struggle for equality. This film will highlight landmark mainstream stories and provide a glimpse at others that will change the gender landscape of the world forever. Just as it is hard to believe that there ever was a time when different components of society were required to use separate drinking fountains, it is as incredible that one's gender expressions remains such a target for discrimination."

Jason has experience on the subject, having worked on VH1's makeover show TRANSform Me and on the 2001 documentary series Style Exposed: Born Male, Living Female. For Jackson, the film follows her book from last year True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, which drew on the singer's own experiences with self-esteem and body image. Her last studio album was 2008's Discipline.

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