DOOL Discussion Group

Topic: OK...Maybe It's Me...Saga of a Transgender Kid...

On Wednesday, the local paper carried the front-page story of a high-school sophomore boy who has begun cross-dressing because he believes he's a female. The story was on the front page. There were many very cruel commentaries at the bottom...

http://search.thejournalnews.com/sp?eId=100&gcId=33591730&rNum=4&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejournalnews.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D2008805070389&siteIdType=2

I was feeling badly for the kid, thinking of him being bullied because he's trying to find out something about himself. OK...Then, on Friday, there was another front-page story on how the kid is being supported by so many people...Again, a lot of cruel commentaries on the bottom...

http://search.thejournalnews.com/sp?eId=100&gcId=33591730&rNum=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejournalnews.com%2Fapps%2Fpbcs.dll%2Farticle%3FAID%3D2008805080471&siteIdType=2

Friday...no coverage. Today, a story by a columnist. In this story, the kid mentions that his mom isn't thrilled with the whole thing. Further, he claims that after he gets his sex-change operation, he plans to be a lesbian, because he likes girls.

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805100349

OK...the point of this post. Why in the world would this newspaper put the story of an obviously very mixed-up kid on the front page for two days in a row and then the front page of the second section on a third day? Could this possibly help this kid? Can you imagine what life is going to be like for him on Monday? Or am I wrong? Will it be helpful?

I know someone personally who has undergone a transgender change and talk about an emotional roller coaster! There is a lot of counseling done beforehand, and they have to actually dress and live like the sex they feel they are for a whole year, before any medications or operations are done.

Which usually isn't hard, if the person really feels like he is boy (if a girl) and vice versa. My friend had to undergo a couple of years in a few therapy classes. Daily. It was grueling and this teen will have a long walk ahead of him. Right now, he may a lot of support...but putting it out there in the front news might be very hurtful in the long run.

This is a hard call. I think for a kid his age, its only going to add to his misery. Maybe if he was in his 20's, like the person I know was...it would be different. The teen years are tough enough to go through, without adding on this.

Replies: (list all replies)

I think that at any age, before any change is done, this would make it more difficult...eom (ML)

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Posted by: Mrs. Betty Slocombe
Date posted: Sat May 10 20:59:52 2008
Message:
I am of two minds on this one. On one hand I think that his battle is a private one. On the other hand I think that if people don't hear these stories they will continue to be ignorant to situations like his. Hence the comments you mentioned. It's a sad world we live in when people just can't accept each other for who they are.

Replies: (list all replies)

Exactly. But this doesn't seem at all healthy for that kid...eom (ML)

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Posted by: Boo
Date posted: Sat May 10 19:43:17 2008
Message:
There was a day years ago when the media covered NEWS. Imagine that???????

Replies: (list all replies)

For 3 DAYS!! eom (ML)

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Posted by: Mandy
Date posted: Sat May 10 15:05:56 2008
Message:
Ya know, agree or disagree with this whole topic of a transgendered child, either way this media attention has to be adding to the emotional turmoil he is experiencing.  One way or the other, whether one believes this is a "normal" occurance and he is truly in the wrong body, or that this is a mental disorder...he is a very mixed up and confused kid.  I hope he doesn't do something to hurt himself.

Replies: (list all replies)

That's what I'm thinking...eom (ML)

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