Shezow... wow...

[Rabbit]

Figured this was pretty amazing :3 Transgender super hero? Kind of?

For American television (on the hub) , this is a pretty big step!

[kyh]

Feels like my identity is being made fun of... I definitely don't see this as a step forward...

Do trans girls *always* have to be comic relief?

[Darkie]

Feels like my identity is being made fun of... I definitely don't see this as a step forward...

Do trans girls *always* have to be comic relief?

I didn't even have the sound on and couldn't manage to watch all of it.  Made me feel kinda awkward to watch.

[Jamie D]

Feels like my identity is being made fun of... I definitely don't see this as a step forward...

Do trans girls *always* have to be comic relief?

There is always that danger.  But on the other hand, children are being introduced to the idea that gender and sexual identity don't always have to go hand-in-hand.

[kyh]

The creators of this show think a boy who dresses like a girl is funny, that's it. There's no thought beyond that. Usually there's some sort of weird, wacky element to a kids show like this, and for this one it's a crossdressing boy. Is that really something for us to be happy about? :/

[Nicole]

I see it as pretty harmless

[Rabbit]

Of course the reaction at first of the main character in the show is going to be "wait...wtf?". Of course it will be treated with humor and approached light heartedly.

But, the thing is, it is the main character.... no matter how strange or weird or whatever else the show tries to portray it as at first... the main character will need to come to terms with how things are (as will the audience).

Yea it seems to have a lot of pretty big gender stereotypes. But, really, you still can't ignore the fact that it is the main character...as a transgendered character...who is going to be saving the day....(not a sidekick or joke character that pops in for an episode).

This is DEFINITELY a step forward. Would you rather non-gender conforming be whitewashed away again?

[kyh]

If my little cousin (who doesn't know I'm trans) saw this, he'd laugh and think the main character was a weirdo. And his parents would probably get upset at him for watching it and tell him that people like the main character are bad. Is that harmless?

I don't see this as something super terrible, but it's certainly not good in any way. In my opinion at least.

[MaidofOrleans]

 I thought it was cute.

[kyh]

This is DEFINITELY a step forward. Would you rather non-gender conforming be whitewashed away again?

I'd rather gender incomformity not be a joke. If it's just a stupid, laughable a joke, it's better to be out of sight, out of mind.

[Rabbit]

The creators of this show think a boy who dresses like a girl is funny, that's it. There's no thought beyond that. Usually there's some sort of weird, wacky element to a kids show like this, and for this one it's a crossdressing boy. Is that really something for us to be happy about? :/

Actually he turns completely into a girl (like ranma).. so it isn't just some crossdressing thing (though I think the show seems to dance around it a bit and try to paint it as crossdressing? At least in their promo they seemed to say it was crossdressing, when the show it is full transformation))

[Jamie D]

From the wikipedia entry:

Shezow is an Australian-Canadian animated television series created by Obie Scott Wade, which began airing on Network Ten on 15 December 2012, and will run for 26 episodes. Aimed at kids 6-11 years-old, the series is produced by Moody Street Kids and Kickstart Productions. It is distributed by DHX Media, funded in part by Film Victoria and was designed by Australian artist Kyla May.

The series' protagonist, a 12 year old boy named Guy Hamdon, discovers the superheroine Shezow's power ring and puts it on. While the power ring does grant him super powers, it was only meant to be worn by a woman. Guy takes on the appearance of a female super hero and with the help of his sister, Kelly, and best friend, Maz, he protects the city of Megadale from supervillains and criminals.

In the United States, it will be added to the lineup of The Hub on June 1, 2013.

[kyh]

Actually he turns completely into a girl (like ranma).. so it isn't just some crossdressing thing (though I think the show seems to dance around it a bit and try to paint it as crossdressing? At least in their promo they seemed to say it was crossdressing, when the show it is full transformation))

From watching the trailer, it seemed more like it was something he turned on and off. Like in everyday life he was a boy, but then when the day needed to be saved, he turned into herpy derpy he-she supreme.

[Olivia-Anne]

In my opinion the main character is not a transgender person. To me it was kind of a boy forced to dress like a girl for comic relief. Granted it is a kids show, and it is bringing up the possible question of gender identity. But, I can't help but think that they will be getting a laught because a "boy" dressed as a "girl" is something to laugh at. So maybe 1 step forward 2 steps backwards?

<3 Liv

P.S. Had I seen this when I was 6-11 years old I would have thought it would be so awsome to get that ring and where could I get one?? 

[kyh]

In my opinion the main character is not a transgender person. To me it was kind of a boy forced to dress like a girl for comic relief. Granted it is a kids show, and it is bringing up the possible question of gender identity. But, I can't help but think that they will be getting a laught because a "boy" dressed as a "girl" is something to laugh at. So maybe 1 step forward 2 steps backwards?

<3 Liv

P.S. Had I seen this when I was 6-11 years old I would have thought it would be so awsome to get that ring and where could I get one?? 

1 step foward, 2 steps backward is right. (imo)

Sure, kids will see gender noncomformity and realize it exists... and that's what we want right? But then they're going to be laughing at it and thinking it's silly (how could they not when the entire show is based on the premise of a goofy crossdresser? The main character's predicament is *meant* to be laughed at). And then their parents are going to scold them for watching it while demonizing trans people. Or they might laugh along and poke fun at people like us. Very rarely will they say anything positive about us or help educate their child. So what kind of message does it send to the children after that? 

[kariann330]

I can already hear One Million Moms raising all hell if it ever airs here in the US.

[Jamie D]

Okay, so I found the first episode embedded within a commentary.

This show reminds me a little bit of the old sitcom, "The Greatest American Hero."

[MaidofOrleans]

I can already hear One Million Moms raising all hell if it ever airs here in the US.

More like twelve moms..

[Joanna Dark]

Yeah I agree it's not a good thing and I really don't like people taking something that is really serious and making fun of it.

[Darkie]

More like twelve moms..

They managed to keep Sailor Stars from getting released in America.  Well, not necessarily them but parents.  Only because guardians went to look for their princess across the universe and in order to hide their identity had themselves be boys in a band in order to look for her.  But when they transformed into their sailor outfits, obviously they reverted back to their original forms.  And America couldn't think that kids would understand that.