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Home » Blogs » Michael Jensen's blog » Barbara Walters' 20/20 special on transgendered children

Barbara Walters' 20/20 special on transgendered children

by
Michael Jensen
In last week's BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER column I mentioned how moved I was by Barbara Walters' 20/20 special on transgendered children. I've been waiting for it to show up on YouTube and it finally has. I'm posting the first clip and you can see the rest here. It truly is a great hour of television and reminds me of the good that can be done when huge ratings and profits aren't the only motivation to what ends up on the air. Frankly, this should be required viewing in every health class around the country. I think that this topic is really only shocking the first time you ever hear about it and once it's been explained, it really is no big deal. Kudos to Barbara for using her clout to explain it.

The clip is below.

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    • Submitted by
    Michael Jensen
    on Tue, 2007-05-08 14:15.
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    nordic balance's picture

    Deserves a standing ovation

    Submitted by
    nordic balance (not verified)
    on Tue, 2007-05-08 17:20.
    I can't remember seeing a kid or parents with so much courage. Hats off to them all.
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    nordic balance's picture

    Nice piece...I got a little

    Submitted by
    nordic balance (not verified)
    on Thu, 2007-05-10 15:48.
    Nice piece...I got a little teary eyed a bit lol. The only problem I have with the whole Transgendered thing is why it's always grouped with LGB for? Being gay or bisexual is something you are born with, something that is natural e.t.c, something that we can't change and most of the time we don't want to change. However, with transgendered people they want to change their sex and with scientific advancements they can actually do that....so I just can't help but to think that Transgender should be it's own entity and not grouped with sexuality. Am I missing something here? Hopefully someone can shed some light on the subject for me.
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    Janet's picture

    I believe that...

    Submitted by
    Janet (2386 points) (465 posts)
    on Thu, 2007-05-10 17:42.

    Transgendered people are born that way, too. Gender has to do with what is between the ears as well as what is between the legs. The choice is only to make the body fit what is already in the mind. It is kind of unfortunate that they are lumped together with gay and bi folk because that seems to indicate that there is something wrong or something to be changed in these folks, too, as well as with transgendered. And of course, that is not the case. (fundy opinion notwithstanding) Transgender could and should be it's own identity but I guess it never hurts to support a minority that in many cases doesn't have the resources or voice to support themselves. The terrified and deeply closeted transgendered teen sitting in the class room hearing that, perhaps, their teacher or school supports the LGBT group is just that tiny bit of acceptance that could make all the difference in their lives.

    Janet

    If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.

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