Here’s Zack Ford to set this one up:
In a recent segment, the hidden camera show investigated how customers at a diner would react if they overheard a teen coming out to his mother as transgender and receiving a very negative response. Watch the heartwarming clip of many individuals coming to the teen’s defense, including a particularly surprising intervention.
Pretty amazing clip.
This segment was especially heartbreaking for me. I know what it is to be that young boy. I spent 4 decades trying to deny who I knew I really was on the inside. Coming out to my mother and my children was difficult beyond belief.
Being transsexual myself, plus an author & public speaker about it, I would like to think I would have stepped in a lot sooner. I commend those who said something.
I would not wish being transgender on anyone. At the same time, I wouldn’t trade if for the world.
Marvelous, but “…a particularly surprising intervention”? No.
Isn’t this what we’ve been saying since the 1960s — that we are everywhere? Being everywhere means our supporters are everywhere, too.
Over the course of a day or more of taping, it’s not particularly surprising that a PFLAG family would be in that restaurant. And, being a PFLAG family, it’s not surprising that would speak up. But it is wonderful that they did.
Lovely clip. Next phase: have the trans youth be dressed. If possible, find a trans volunteer that is mid or post transition. This is an equally moving situation. Many trans people come out to their families last because they know it will be hardest on them.
Because in this clip, everyone is speaking in the theoretical, even “in character.” The youth is in drab speaking about wanting to dress. I’m willing to bet you would get different responses if:
The youth was dressed en femme
The youth actor was Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB)and discussing FtM transition
An AFAB actor was presenting male
And I would be very intrigued at the responses.