I just received this blast from TYFA…
I wanted you all to be among the first to know that the TYRA BANKS SHOW will be featuring several of our TYFA families on their show this month. Here are the details I have:
January 27, 2010
4PM Eastern Time
CW Network
“We’re 7 and 8 years old and we know we are transgender”
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*I have never watched a Tyra show before and have no idea of the format or the outcome of this television event; however, I am grateful that they are addressing transgender youth and hope they reflect the lives of these children and our families in an accurate and meaningful way.
Best- Jen
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I have no experience of this program Jen as I live in the UK but thinking what you said in reply to my last comment (Words from a stranger) I realised that exposing your childrem to the general public is not always a good idea. (I didn’t want to suggest that but it may have appeared that way, apologies for that). I can see from the comment above, “We’re 7 and 8 years old and we know we are transgender”, that these children are confident but I think they would need guidance to prevent them from too much exposure with perhaps unfortunate results. It is good that the subject of transgenderism in youth (or in any way) is discussed and being addressed. People need that education. I have always maintained that the subject should be taught at school so that children do not grow in ignorance of what is a perfectly normal aspect of humanity. I have heard stories of transsexual children being accepted in school by their peers but I think that is the exception rather than the rule. I can only hope that in future generations being transgendered will not be an issue with anybody. Love
Shirley Anne xxx
I hope it’s not a Jerry springer style ridicule. For all the childrens sake.
Hi Jo- Check out the latest link we added regarding the Tyra show. I have a strong feeling that it will be a respectful episode. Best- Jen
i found a preview of the show online
http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/ the have a preview for 5 episodes
click on the Wednesday box
Thank you so much for sharing this link. I think it eases our mind that the children & families won’t be exploited but rather celebrated for their courage. I have never seen the show so this will be a first for us. My Best- Jen
I’m glade you liked the link
the show was upload to youtube for anyone who missed it was very touching story
Jen do you think you and Hope would every do something like this ?
I’m curious if you saw the show. I can’t watch her show very often, mostly because she always seems to be pretentious about the subject and with the guests. I thought the guests were cool and great. I did think some of her questions weren’t necessary or appropriate for the children. Even though the show was about transkids, I thought she went out of her way to show that when she could have shown they’re just normal, cool kids with great parents.
I also thought the minister at the end, with Dr. Bowers and the Executive Director wasn’t necessary, and she should have reined him in to let the others speak. Instead she kep letting him rant at the other guests and about transkids. It wasn’t helpful or useful, other than adding controversy when and where it wasn’t needed.
I thought the two had valid arguments against the minister’s rants but didn’t get a chance to get to say much. Their point was the same with the minister’s, about loving the children, but differed when they said it’s about acceptance of them than forcing change on them. The research clearly shows those who identify as transgender need love, care and support than preaching about what and who they can’t be.
And they wanted to point out that either preventing them from being and expressing themselves or worse pushing them into suppression of themselves only leads to what the therapist like to say proves their case they have mental problems, except the problems are external to them and not internal within themselves, the exact opposite of their diagnosis. As the guest said, take away the opposing pressure and the mental health problems and depression disappears.
Well, almost. As you know, being who they are has its own problems, but at least those have a positive solution and future for them.
But that’s my view of it.
Can you believe that I haven’t gathered the courage to watch the episode yet! I shield myself from the negative when it comes to my child so I haven’t had the stomach to watch it yet. Maybe today.
Scott- I know the Exec Director of TYFA & she is an amazing person who has helped our family in many ways. She’s even come out to our city to work with us one on one. TYFA is an inspiring and genuine group. It’s sad that Tyra could mediate more effectively.
Rubin- I can’t say what Hope will choose in the future. I try not to let myself go there so as not to put my dreams for her (my intent & wishes) before hers. If she wants to educate, she will. If she wants to wait, she will. I have confidence in her ability to say exactly what she wants and needs. She’s always been this way. VERY eloquent.
Best- Jen
Jen, both Marci Bowers and the Exec. Dircetor of TYFA were terrific, but Tyra didn’t really give them enough time and shut the minister up from interrupting them. Personally, if you don’t watch, you won’t lose anything and maybe gain by skipping the WTF moments. It’s sad some of the celebrity hosts don’t do a better job with all people they have.
Personally, any parents’ best decision for their (trans)children is to just let them live quiety (as possible) with all the love and support, like you’re giving Hope, people can provide. Let them decide in the future if they want to be a public figure. There’s plenty of time, and teach them when it happens when to say, “Ok, and?” And then say, “Whatever I went through is personal and private, and not open for public discussion.” It’s my response.
The last thing they need, and probably want, is the forever label of transgender than just boy/girl and later man/woman.
You are right Scott. Hope just wants to be treated like any other girl, because that is how she feels. She doesn’t have the ego to distinguish herself as different or feel the need to talk with outsiders about being born different.
Thank you for always shedding light on things with a logical and loving viewpoint. I always enjoy reading your comments because they seem so thought out and straight forward. I like that. Have a great weekend- Jen
THIS IS a very touchy subject…but a good one! My personal opinion to child transgenders is: To change a child’s sex is totally against God’s creation!!! IT IS TOTALLY up to the parents of this child, to help their child with their identity crisis at an early age. YOU are their parents!!! My god people, God gave you the priviledge to birth a beautiful creation and WE HAVE NO RIGHTS to PLAY god and change our children’s sex because we dont have enough LOVE for our child to teach them and seek the help they need to help them to learn and accept that God made them and love them for who HE created. If we make those changes, then we are SPITTING in GODS face and show no gratitude to the fact that we were given the priviledge to bear life when there are soooooooo many women who would give anything to be able to bear children. and you’d DARE to alter GOD’S gift!!!!!!!!!Teach your child! Love your child enough to take that time out!!! This is your gift from God to be a REAL TRUE LOVING parent. Not taking the easy way out of being a real parent! A CHILD is too young to make such a MAJOR decision as such!!! How dare you call yourself MOTHERS!!CHILDREN needs guidance! What the HELL are you so called mothers teaching these children??? MAY GOD have mercy on all of your souls!!!! And believe it or not; I have NOTHING against gayness, homosexuals, transexuals, transgenders, ETC> ETC> I was gay all my life, until I found GOD! and trust me I know GOD IS IN CONTROL! we just seem to leave HIM. If you knew my whole story, you’d try to understand what I’m saying and might just re-evaluate this drastic UN GODLY decisions on your child’s life! Just remember; These are not your children you are doing this to. They are God’s children and he can TAKE them back!!!
Hi Brenda Kowalski,
We clearly disagree and that is okay. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
Best- Jen