Dad now a mom?

Disgusting.

I would probably by your definition in my first life I am a "freak" but i have to agree.
In real life I would never discuss this with just anyone, only reason I am now discussing its safer for me to admit this here.
I don't like people similar to myself being put on television when majority of population is so beyond capable of understanding anything beyond what they believe to be true based on often what their Parents and Society has indoctrinated them to believe as the only truth.
Some people are just unable to be educated to respect diversity and will use whatever
they learn on freak side show to use to hurt others they label as freaks because
lets face it lot of people feel right to their bigotry and hatred.
I get lot of so called normal people don't get people who are different.
Some normal people even think they have right to shun or kill people who are
different.
Yet people regardless of whether it's real life or Second life have right to do whatever they want as long as they are able to accept the responsibility and consequences of their choices and actions... even if its giving birth to Turtles with 2 pink wings or something even more
hateful and unspeakable.
Truthfully its no one else's business unless a crime is committed unless they want to display it, even then they have right to do so even if it bothers me.

I understand what you're saying. But, and this is a big but, if people choose to put on display whatever it is they do, have done or will do then they need to get used to different reactions from the public.

This thing this person is doing -which by the way they chose to put out on display for all to see like a circus act- isn't something that's considered normal in society or something the public is used to seeing. As a matter of fact it's probably the first time it's ever happen, period.

With this said, now anyone who doesn't favor this type of behavior is considered "negative" in any reaction they respond with. Why? Because it's not accepted as something considered normal? It's not. Because it's not politically correct to come out and say it? I doubt I'm the only one expressing my so called "negative" views on this.

But why make this public? Why go on the front cover of People Magazine, newspapers around the nation and abroad and on a nationally televised popular show? Why put yourself out there to be ridiculed? What motivation was there in making this public for all to see? The almighty dollar of course. But this money doesn't come alone, it also brings a lot of baggage, like scrutiny as well as different types of reactions from the public. They better get used to it because it's already there.

I don't hate, I just feel it should not be.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This freak 1 Audio Help (frēk) Pronunciation Key

A thing or occurrence that is markedly unusual or irregular:

Definition of Freak: Unusual or irregular. And this that's happened is not unusual?

For me, this struck me as "odd".

You're 'a man' but having a baby, but want to be considered a man?

Yea, something wrong here.

PICK a gender and stick with it!!!

Ricardo, I totally agree with you that is why I would never put my real life business on one of those programs.
What I do in my private life though is no one else's business especially with my gender identity regardless of what others think.
I know very well how people react to people like me.
I also know there is 90 percent chance if I collapsed on public street and if medics came and undid my shirt or clothes they freak and let me die on street because of they would see me as freak not worth saving my life as normal person.

This is heart breaking. I don't know you FD, except from reading your posts here. From that I have the impression that you are a thoughtful person, interested in others and in being open to new ideas and experiences. I think all the different art you've included in your signature is great. I hope there are not many medical professionals who would take it upon themselves to decide that anyone is not worth saving.

It seems that there is an endless supply of people who are willing to humiliate themselves in amazing ways, not even for money, but just for the chance to be seen on tv.
Like you I'd be reluctant to deliberately expose myself to wide audiences of likely critical and intolerant people and I'm skeptical of the motives of those who do. But when people who are widely considered to be "abnormal" do allow the wider word to get to know them I believe they are contributing to the awakening of general awareness that they are a part of our mutual humanity. As more human diversity becomes more familiar I think it will become less frightening and more easily accepted.

Well said Kaimi.

You have to wonder who the freaks are, those who choose to 'expose' themselves, or those who like to watch and point fingers.

Well said Isabeau.

They would not, FD.

They might think to themselves, "here is one very strange person". But medics and police see everything under the sun. The vast majority of them are professionals. They're there to do a job, and they'll do it.

I've ridden with paramedics on occasion. They do have some amazing stories to tell. But they do not let a person's appearance affect the care they provide.

So take heart...a lot of the intolerance you anticipate from others is probably just in your own head.

I had a very short career as an EMT and worked on several ambulance crews. My take is that even if they were judgmental bigots (and I think most are not) their professional pride was too important to them to ever not give good care to anyone.

Not all of them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyra_Hunter

This just breaks my heart. And it demonstrates how desperately education is needed about the desirability of compassion and tolerance.

O'yeah, people who don't agree with bizarre and unnatural behavior are "uneducated."

The thing is no one has to be force fed things like this. Just because some person doesn't know what they want to be whether man or woman means others need to welcome it with open arms? Because someone does something means they automatically have to be accepted in society? Who you guys kidding?

I know but this isn't about you. This thread wasn't about you it was about someone else. I didn't know and I'm sure others didn't either about you. You now chose to put this out here.

I'm not referring to you in what I'm saying as I don't know the first thing about you. This is in reference to this other indiviual.

I'm just asking you to feel compassion for anyone who needs help and refrain from persecuting people who haven't actually done you any harm. I'm fine with you avoiding situations that make you feel icky.

What seems bizarre and unnatural is often just what is unfamiliar.

You say, "persecuting," who am I persecuting? I think you're using a too strong a word here. I've not persecuted anyone. I'm voicing my opinion, what I feel and what I think and it's not about Sparks either, it's about this other indiviual. I just happen to say what I think while others may feel the same way but won't.


And no, what seems bizarre and unnatural is not unfamiliarity, but acts like this.

I'm so sorry. I'm not explaining myself very well. I didn't actually think you were persecuting anyone. Or even failing to feel compassion for those in pain. I was really trying to assure you that I'm not assuming that you are uneducated and I don't think it is necessary for you to go out of your way to embrace those who make you feel uncomfortable.

I was trying to say that as long as you aren't actively persecuting anyone I don't have a problem with you.

I do have a problem with health care providers and especially emergency health care providers who decide not to give someone the care they need. Especially the care they need to survive.

And I have seen quite a few examples in my own life of people who seriously don't like some type of person or other but then do like individuals of that type when they get to know them personally.

It's Ricardo's attitude, as shown here, that keeps him on my Ignore list.

It's attitudes like this that lead to situations such as described in the Wiki article, and the reason that transgendered people have a Day of Remembrance.

I stand by my statement that most people are pretty tolerant, and won't let another person's lifestyle choices get in the way of providing help when it's needed. That's not to say that there aren't some who are not.

well Tolerance or not ..

I still think the motivation to come public is monetary. Its being pushed pretty hard in the media for what basically boils down to A biological woman who is legally a man having a baby.

It could also be they are also trying to use the exposure to help teach tolerance for Transgendered people.

However by the way its treated that doesn't come across as the main motivation.

You love posting here that I'm on your ignored list. But it doesn't surprise me as you're like a few others in here. But why? You have to be doing this for your own benefit because I suspect you're not that dumb to believe you're doing it for mine as you should know by know I don't care whether you or anyone else does or doesn't.

This wasn't about this person having changed into a man as people already know this is something that can be done. This was about having a baby, this was the big news. But some couldn't tell the difference but it's understandable.

As for tolerance, a big word constantly accompanying this issue and issues like this one, who makes up these rules to accept whatever others choose to do? If someone chooses not to accept something done by others are they wrong or "uneducated" for not doing so? Says who? You? The person next to you? Come on. To every person, their own mind.

It's like the former governor of NYC. While in office he went after prostitutes and closed down many of their places and sent people to jail. Then he's busted on the very same thing he try to show others he hated. It's the same thing with people on many issues and groups. You have people who speak out against those who won't accept or are seen as being not "tolerant" but in reality these same people feel exactly the same way, they just won't ever admit it in public.

As far as my "attitude," you can take that and package it with your "keeps him on my ignore list" and go, well, I don't think I really have to go on, do I?

Thanks all for the kind words towards me.
I know this isn't about me, but I just guess felt I need to say something.
In most countries with few exceptions people evolved bit when they hear the word
Gay or Lesbian, but being Transgender, Transexual or Intersexed often has entire
different and often very negative response even among Gay and Lesbians.
While there are very many ethical and compassionate EMT and health professionals there are also whole lot who get personally freaked out by anything they aren't use to seeing....that why I said I have 90 percent chance of having EMT freak out.
There many instances this happens that I can't at this point show the sources of this happening.
What is more commonly acceptable if child is born with gender abnormality is to have them surgically altered before they can consent or even comprehend what has happen to them.
Imagine growing up, and never be told what had what has happen to your reproductive organs and that Others chose for you so you could fit into what society norm is about male or female.
Personally what Oprah was trying to point out the end is we are more then what society assigns as our labels, or what it labels as normal.
What is great in Second Life for some is they get to experience being different Genders in new ways if they choose.
We aren't limited by society impose notions, we can be whatever we imagine.
I think Men and Women need to more understanding of similarities and different experiences of Gender the good and bad that goes with it.
Yet I am fully aware many can't fathom this and never will and will find this threatening.
I would never impose my view of reality on those people yet sometimes I wish more
people had more empathy of those who are different.
For me I would never have female avatar but it's not because being female is bad, it
just has too many unwanted emotions around it that I have carried over from first life.
Yet here I can be whatever I want to be even if its just tiny animal or magical ageless
being regardless of gender or Man with perfect healthy body that can fly, jump, run,etc.
We are more then are assigned labels be it in Third, Second or first life.

I don't think people who don't accept this find it threatening. I feel they just don't accept it for different reasons like religious reasons or because it's not deemed normal in todays society. I also believe everyone has a right to either accept or not it doesn't make either side more wrong then the other.

I meant threatening in way of going against what they believe be due to religious or what they have learned is normal.
There are people anything that goes against what they think is acceptable causes them to go in attack mode or worse.
And as my rl boyfriend often says more certain people have to see those programs of different rubbing our differentness in their faces on their favorite talk shows more they want to lash out.
Yet I don't know if it would matter either way, it just gives some people more material
and new group of people to bad mouth or "hunt" down to hurt even if they are minding
their own business...like myself.
Even if I keep all my business and differentness private someone going to find out and often it can lead something unpleasant that causes me to feel unsafe in my first life and I have never been on television.
That is very uncomfortable way to live.
Yet it something I have to deal with because I have too.
Every time a program like this comes out even Liberal Seattle the people who hang out on Streets seem to see and use this as material to lash out on people who are different themselves.
I don't know if this behavior caused by someone feeling threaten, I don't know then.

Oh I love it!!!! People who remember Monty Python's "Life of Brian" !!!! That was such a funny movie!

1. Contemporary media pounds it into the head of anyone who bothers to watch that, when it's time for your 15 minutes of fame, you're better off grabbing it and taking that wild ride. I'm not surprised the couple decided to "go public" in the face of public fascination. The meme of the OP news story is obviously still accelerating.

2. The TG switcheroo is, mentally, really rather hard to deal with because of habitual behavior. I had a friend I'd known for a decade do the flip. It's been over five years, and I still mess up on name/gender in conversation.

3. Mummery has been used in modern comedy for so long, being told to take such switching seriously is difficult. It's a source of humor, a subject for ridicule. Again, according to media, the stereotype is just as worthy of laughter and derision as the effeminate fop or "manly" woman (the butch bartender!) who the audience might grow to respect, but only after getting to know the character as an individual. It's also funny because it's absurd that a person 100% biologically capable of having a baby deciding to do so makes the news.