Despite increased societal acceptance of homosexuality, coming out for those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is rarely an easy task. Two decades ago there were no gays on television, but that has changed. Network TV’s first gay teen came out on the soap opera “One Life to Live”. Today, network television has gone a step further and now is introducing transgender characters. Just last month the soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” revealed a surprising story arc that introduced the first transgender character to daytime television; Maya Avant. In a USA Today article, CBS said, “The network says B&B is the only current show on broadcast or cable TV to include a transgender character as part of the regular cast.”

Transgender characters and actors appear in more shows with the most notable being Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” and Amazon’s “Transparent”.

Following on the heels of B&B, Netflix and Amazon is Discovery Life’s new five-part series – a new reality show, “New Girls on the Block” that premiered last weekend. It is considered the first TV show to follow the lives of transgender women. It explores the lives of these women who are all in different phases of their transition.

It is evident that the diversification of today’s TV characters has certainly opened up plenty of discussions. Social media is abuzz with discussion groups about the characters, the shows and the issues they bring to the forefront. I welcome these shows and their diversity, and I hope that they expand the dialogue, understanding and support to LGBT individuals. Here is a link to the Huffington Post website with a good overview of how TV is changing the landscape for the LGBT community and furthering the very much needed national dialogue.

Disclaimer
This blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

Very interesting call last week by the White House to end the use of “conversion” therapy on LGBT youths. ABC News reported that the Obama administration is calling for an end to the use on LGBT youth of “conversion” therapy.

“This administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors,” Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Obama, wrote in a post on the White House website last week. This was triggered by the suicide of Josh “Leelah” Alcorn back in December.

Alcorn was born a boy who was dealing with an inner-struggle since he was four years old that he felt more like a girl. “To put it simply,” he said in a suicide note that posted to Tumblr after he died, “I feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body, and I’ve felt that way ever since I was 4.” Josh felt his parents were never going to accept him transitioning, and he wrote how as time went on he felt more-and-more isolated. In the end, Alcorn took his life in December by stepping in front of a tractor-trailer on an Ohio Interstate.

In the note, he said, “Please don’t be sad, it’s for the better. The life I would’ve lived isn’t worth living in … because I’m transgender. I could go into detail explaining why I feel that way, but this note is probably going to be lengthy enough as it is. To put it simply, I feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body, and I’ve felt that way ever since I was 4. I never knew there was a word for that feeling, nor was it possible for a boy to become a girl, so I never told anyone and I just continued to do traditionally ‘boyish’ things to try to fit in.”

Stock photo 123RF

This is a sad situation, but we have to be careful not to be too quick to blame anyone. Sexual transitioning is being discussed more by mainstream media, and that is a good thing, but there is a long way to go. Thanks to social media, there are communities and groups that have formed to support those dealing with gender identity. These groups have also been educating society in general about gender identity and the struggles and hurdles that these individuals face.

Actress Hilary Swank who, 15 years ago, won an Oscar for playing murdered transgender teen Brandon Teena in “Boys Don’t Cry,” said last week on the Meredith Viera show, “I think we have taken strides since that movie……. But we still have a long way to go! ….”

The firestorm on social media set off by the death of Alcorn has called for an end to “transphobia”. The national dialogue has started and that’s a good thing. Let’s remember that “coming out” is a controversial issue and is not easy, especially for adolescents. Despite that you may have trouble accepting it, you should provide emotional support to your loved one. Click here for a list of guidelines for dealing with LGBT teens.

Here is a link to Slate.com with Josh “Leelah” Alcorn’s entire note.

Disclaimer
This blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.