The Sex Change Capital of The U.S.

[Natasha]

The Sex Change Capital of The U.S.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/07/sunday/main4423154.shtml
9/7/2008

As a local doctor it's Marci Bowers' job to care, but she's not your typical small-town doc.

"She's a boon to this community," said Trish Keck.

Radio announcer David Phillips said of Bowers, "In town people know her, like her, see her interact with her. But really, they don't treat her any differently than any other doctor you'd see in town at the grocery store."

So what's so special about Doctor Bowers?

"It was just interesting," Bowers told Doane, "because everyone thought, 'Oh, how cute. We have a lady OB-GYN moving into town. How sweet.' You know? And little by little - you know, some of these media things happened - people began to find out about me. And it was like, 'Oh, well, that's interesting.'"

Interesting because before she was Doctor Marci Bowers she was Doctor Mark Bowers.

[tekla]

Funny how money changes everything.

[Sephirah]

I used to watch the documentary series 'Sex Change Hospital', filmed in the hospital there in Trinidad, when it was on here in the UK, and found it really interesting and helpful. I think Dr Bowers does a great job.

[Sheila]

I have never heard of the series until now. I did look at the website from the little article on Susans. It gave a time when an episode about Marci would air. I did notice that all the episodes are late at night. I would never watch it as it is too late for me. I don't have all that technology to tape it either, nor do I want it. Why can't it be broadcast at a reasonable time. What is so shocking that would be rated an R. I have seen on the health channel more surgeries about tummy tuks and nose jobs that would curl anyones toes. I just think they are missing out on a lot of education.

[tekla]

If its TV of any kind, its never about education, its aways about ratings.

[Laura91]

If its TV of any kind, its never about education, its aways about ratings.

That is a sad but true fact.

[Hazumu]

A Small Rocky Mountain Town Is Home To A Cottage Industry Helping Transgender People



Cover Story is reported by Seth Doane:

Back in Trinidad, we asked Dr. Bowers about what she says to those who say, "This is immoral. You shouldn't be doing this. This is wrong"?

"I'm happy to let God be the judge of that," she said. "I'm pretty self assured in knowing that we are helping people."

Pastor Dick Valdez agrees ... to a point. How does he reconcile his religious beliefs with Marci Bowers' practice?

"Well, I think she's trying to help people. I think that's what churches should be about. We're all looking for help and at the same time trying to help people. We would disagree on how she's trying to help people."

--As I post this, there are 10 comments, none of which are positive of the story.  One is from a transwoman with regrets, some are on how the town has invisible poverty, the rest on arguments against SRS.  =Karen

[tekla]

Why is it sad?  Its commercial broadcasting, with the key word being commercial, meaning, they are selling time, the time is worth more when more people watch.  If you don't like it, start your own TV station.  It is what it is, and its always been that way.

[Sephirah]

If its TV of any kind, its never about education, its aways about ratings.

In the case of this documentary series (at least the one I saw), I'm inclined to disagree. It was very well presented, with an impartial and unbiased view of the patients, who were able to tell their story, without narrative comment, and how they arrived at the point of SRS. I found it very educational, particularly the coverage of Dr Bowers, her philosophy and the surgeries she performs (what is involved and the reactions afterwards of those who undergo it). I was particularly impressed with her treatment of her patients, and concern for their well-being. It was actually one of the factors that influenced my choice to stop denying my true self and look for further information online.

It was aired over here on a reasonably obscure digital TV channel at 11pm at night, I really don't think ratings were valued quite so highly.

[April221]

I went through Trinidad in 1969. I was returning from Mexico. Trinidad is a Colorado border town with Raton, New Mexico on the other side of the border. In 1969 it was still the Wild West, with each town attacking each other's cars driving through; you could tell by the license plates where the car came from! I'm sure things have quieted down, but Trinidad had a VERY interesting history. It's a lot more than SRS procedures!

[lisagurl]

Did it have the obligatory putting on makeup shot? Every show has it's underling market.

Posted on: September 07, 2008, 02:36:58 PM

In 1969 it was still the Wild West, with each town attacking each other's cars driving through

They do that in Detroit today.

[Laura91]

If its TV of any kind, its never about education, its aways about ratings.

That is a sad but true fact.

Posted on: September 07, 2008, 02:45:17 PM

Why is it sad?  Its commercial broadcasting, with the key word being commercial, meaning, they are selling time, the time is worth more when more people watch.  If you don't like it, start your own TV station.  It is what it is, and its always been that way.

Because I don't like the idea of money being something that wins out over everything else. A few programs on TSism on the tube won't change my opinion on that. Why the attitude anyway?? It sounds like you want to argue about this for some reason.

[lisagurl]

Because I don't like the idea of money being something that wins out over everything else.

It does not win against passion. It only wins if you accept consumerism as a way of life.

One way to win is not to spend.

[Chaunte]

The Sex Change Capital of The U.S.
A Small Rocky Mountain Town Is Home To A Cottage Industry Helping Transgender People

(CBS Sunday Morning) When people decide to make one of the most drastic changes in their lives, they often head to the most unlikely town you could ever imagine. Our Cover Story is reported by Seth Doane:


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/07/sunday/main4423154.shtml#ccmm