Transgender tolerance
Ben Barres
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080522_Letters___Rosemont_should_consider_a_partner_first.html (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080522_Letters___Rosemont_should_consider_a_partner_first.html)
Thank you for the great story by Joelle Farrell and John Sullivan about the 9-year-old child whose elementary school allowed her to gender transition ("School challenge: Transgender student is age 9," May 3). Despite the disapproval of psychiatrist Paul McHugh, who claims that the problem remains after a sex change, studies have repeatedly demonstrated that most transgender people who change sex are far happier afterward.
As McHugh's words show, the only real problem remaining for transgender people is dealing with the rest of us, whose hearts and minds are often closed to the sufferings of those different from ourselves. What a fabulous way for Chatham Park Elementary School to approach this situation, by teaching all its students to be tolerant of differences. Perhaps it is a lesson that will last a lifetime.
Rosemont should consider a partner first
Link (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/pa/20080522_Letters___Rosemont_should_consider_a_partner_first.html)
5/22/2008
"Thank you for the great story by Joelle Farrell and John Sullivan about the 9-year-old child whose elementary school allowed her to gender transition ("School challenge: Transgender student is age 9," May 3). Despite the disapproval of psychiatrist Paul McHugh, who claims that the problem remains after a sex change, studies have repeatedly demonstrated that most transgender people who change sex are far happier afterward."
The letter that is of interest is headlined:
Transgender tolerance
The letter is signed:
Ben Barres
Professor of neurobiology and neurology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Palo Alto, Calif.