Replies to '10/29 Gender Confused Children'

Quote From: jessharr

I was about a week late in watching this show. While watching this it brought up many emotions and feelings I had nod felt in a long time. I am a 40 year old Transgender woman transgendered woman.  After watching this show i was very frustrated by the responses made by some at the show. Naturally You would think I would be an advocate for this alternative lifestyle and I am, but I also believe there were some good points made. I myself relized I was different at an early age but growing up in the midwest(bible belt) I was told it was a sin to wear womens clotheing and from that point on I was afraid of what the future would hold. My parents thought much like the ones on the show did  that its "just a phase". Well I have nothing but total resentment twards my parents for not supporting me . I am not saying that some 30 years ago I wanted to become a woman. It would have been nice to have some resources available to research the Idea of gender transition but none were available. I lived in total agaony for much of my youth and into my early adulthood. The fact that my gender disorder was never addressed or even talked about only set  me into a deppression that  Followed me through 3 marriages , 3 children , and more broken hearts than I care to remember.Also i have had little to NO contact with family since i decided to transition at age 36.  The thought that i lived in total misery for so many years angars me st times but then i realize that I truely began to live 4  years ago. Despite the loss of family I have my sanity and have moved foreward with my life . I am truely happy(except for getting laid off due to the economy) and accept myself. That was the hardest part and not 1 person alive can ever know the struggle of being  a transsexual more than some one who is one. People with there opinions about Directiong a young boy to be a man.... well I tried that. and it never felt right throughout my time as a husband and father. Despite being there for the birth of my youngest daughter, I was compelled almost drawn to being who I am today. I let it all go to presue my life as a transsexual and it was the best decision I ever made for myself.
My only comments for theparents of the 8 year old are, Please be supportive either way she(the child) wants to go whether female or male.The decisions you make now will affect the rest of all of your lives together.
The Other mother on the show I would say watch the situation closely. I said the same things the 16 year old did under duress and pressure from my father.
Please know that just loveing them and being supporting parents by getting information and sharing it will be the biggest gift you can ever give your child.
My favorite saying from a transgenderes friend,'I'd rather people hate me for who I am, than love me for who I'm not".
Jessica Harris