Tag: transgender

Debi Jackson, mother of a transgender daughter, explains her coming growing awareness of her daughter’s transitioning and debunks myths about transgender children she learned along the way.

Via the Advocate:

“We — or at least I, because they always blame the mom — really wanted a girl so we turned our child into one?” Jackson asks. “Think again. I desperately wanted boys. The idea of raising a girl in today’s world scares me to death.”

“‘Kids have no idea what they want; my kid wants to be a dog, should I let him?'” asks Jackson, reciting another antitrans red herring. “That’s up to you, but I wouldn’t! …There’s a profound difference between wanting to be something in imaginary play and declaring who you are insistently, consistently, and persistently.”

Jackson became emotional as she recounted the religious-based opposition to her daughter, recalling people who told her, “God hates transgender people. They are sinners, and going to hell.”

“My God taught us to love one another,” Jackson explains. “Jesus sought out those who others rejected. Some people choose to embrace Biblical verses that appear to say that transgender people are being wrong,” Jackson adds.

Instead, Jackson says she prefers to focus on biblical verses like 1 Samuel 16:7, which says, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

In closing her six-minute speech, Jackson offers a heartwarming affirmation of her daughter. “My daughter is a girl in her heart,” says Jackson. “She knows it, God knows it, and that’s good enough for me.”

I know that the idea of transgender is new and uncomfortable for many folks. But, it is real. And these are people’s lives. Hit the video below and listen to the calm, clear voice of a conservative, Southern Baptist mother who learned a lot by paying attention to her child.

p.s. grab a tissue.

The Whittington family

The Daily Mail shares the story of Ryland Whittington and his family, who allowed Ryland to be who he is.

When Jeff and Hillary Whittington, of San Diego, got the news in 2007 that they were having a daughter, the couple had no idea that in a few years’ time they will be raising a son instead.

Last Thursday, the family were honored at the 6th annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, accepting the Inspiration Award after presenting a stirring video showing their daughter Ryland’s female-to-male transition.

The six-year-old dressed in a smart suit and tie, his hair cut short, stood next to a podium and read his prepared remarks from a sheet of paper, declaring to the audience: ‘My name is Ryland Whittington. I am transgender kid.’

At the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, Jeff Whittington had this to say: ‘One of the most inspiring things that Harvey Milk had done as far as our family is concerned was to encourage people to come out; to let their voices be heard; break down the walls, break down the barriers and start allowing people to see them for their authentic selves and be true to themselves.”

I realize that the world of transgender is new for many people, and that it may be difficult to understand.  I don’t pretend to be able to answer every question on the subject, but as a gay man who has heard the words “you could be straight if you want to” (when that is no more real than my ability to fly unassisted), I understand the gravity of being who you are born to be.

I also understand how important it is to allow people to live their own lives.  Without judgement.

Bravo to the Whitington’s for paying attention, and for loving Ryland for who he is.

(h/t JMG)

The city of Rochester, New York has announced that it would be adding transgender health benefits for employees and their families in the city medical plan.

The Democrat & Chronicle reported: “Under the new coverage, effective Jan. 1, city employees will be eligible to receive services related to gender reassignment surgery, such as medical and psychological counseling, hormone therapy and cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.”

Kimberly and Beck – the hosts of 98.9 ‘Breakfast Buzz’ – read the news on air and spent almost 12 minutes mocking transgender people, and insulted a caller who dialed in to tell them how offensive they were.

Just a few of the radio hosts comments:

“Transgender or gender nonconforming. What the hell does that mean? Like you’re not a woman or a man??

“Does that mean then if women want a boob job they’ll pay for a boob job because that’s only right.”

“The services that will be paid for under the new coverage – gender reassignment surgery, PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING, because you’re probably a NUTJOB to begin with!”

“It’s a slippery slope. Then if some woman can go to a doctor and it’d be proven that she’s got mental issues because her rack’s not big enough then you know what? she deserves a boob job, Right Kimberly? Or she deserves liposuction.”

“Right, IF YOU CAN PROVE YOU’RE A NUT, I guess.”

At one point, the hosts discuss transgender athletes, including at a local school:

“When he steps up to the plate, doesn’t he have two bats?”

When a female listener called in to say “it’s incredibly disrespectful towards transgender people. Please don’t spread any misinformation especially when you’re joking about it.”

One of the hosts replies: “Thank you, SIR” as the others laugh.

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(via Towleroad)