I noticed today that Dr. Phil will be haveing a Gender Identity Crises show on Wed. Jan. 17, 2007. Gwen Araujo's mother will be on.
Sheila
I saw that as well. Hopefully they will do the issue justice. Lately I feel his show has sunk to the level of Maury.
Steph
Great... Im probably going to have to miss it...
Im going to be going to a psychology council meeting about TS issues in the borderland that afternoon, Ive been asked to possably speak if theres enough time... and then my my final performance with my band that evening.... going to be a very busy day....
Im going to have to figure out how to record it cuz I dont want to miss Dr Phill makeing a morron out of himself... (Sorry, but I have little faith hes going to do our cause any justice)
I will miss it also. I did write an E-mail to him if they read it. I told him that I hope he didn't make a jackass out of himself like the last time he had a trans person on. I didn't say it in those words of course. Even in his discription of the show he says things like letting boys into the girl restroom. Boys in dresses and things like that. I hope for the best.
Sheila
"Boys in dresses"! This doesn't sound good.
Steph
Oh boy!
Melissa
NEXT ON DR. PHIL!
"BOYS IN DRESSES!"
"AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM!!!"
Don't miss it!
gag me with a spoon Dr. Phil!
Better yet, gag yourself you self righteous moron!
-Sandy
I just read the blurb for the show over at DrPhil-dot-com. The wording, to me, screams "FREAKSHOW!!!" They get the pronouns wrong in almost every case, going on biological sex rather than true gender. They also go for sensationalism with the AIS girl -- what do they mean by "Should the parents be forced to decide Kayleigh's gender?", anyway. I'll be writing an e-mail.
Karen
=================
Okay, here's my e-mail:
QuoteRE: Gender Identity Crisis
I'm dismayed at the blurb you've written up for the Gender Identity show. I write copy, and if I wanted to get the most lurid depiction of of Gender Dysphoria and Intersex conditions (the medical terms, mind you,) I would have chosen exactly the way your copywriter wrote it. It cast those with GID and Intersex conditions as being freaks, and was exactly how NOT to respect the transgendered. But, working in corporate video, I've learned about attracting and holding lots of valuable eyeballs. That blurb will surely be an audience builder.
I hope you actually intend to use that audience to do some actual outreach -- to educate the public on just what the issues are for transgendered persons. You might start here, with "How to respect a Transgendered Person":
http://www.trans-health.com/kara/respect.html
You might also advocate that the Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome girl, Kaylena, be allowed to choose her gender, rather than inviting the audience to force her parents to do anything to her. And you might educate the public on the difference between sex (the plumbing, what it does, and what you do with it,) and gender (everything else about the differences between male, and female, and those of us between male and female,) and ask your audience if they know what their GENDER organ is (Most people know what the sex organs are and where they're located -- few know the brain is the gender organ.)
In the TG community, the Jerry Springer and Maury Povich shows are bad jokes, because those shows so often titilate their audiences with transgendered portrayed as sick freaks. The blurb for your upcoming show suggests you are about to enter that realm, stigmatizing, marginalizing and exploiting the transgendered.
Please, please, do the RIGHT thing...
Karen
Transgendered
[boys in dresses] ???
see, the problem is [with the way they run tv]. the executives exist in a very tight and [unreal bubble of self-promotion and advertising]. they're so caught up in ratings and profit that the art of shows suffers. i've stopped watching tv [kind of] because i'm absolutely sick of it. to be quite honest, i think i'd almost prefer that there be no media representation of transpeople, instead of these [unusual, awful representations]
but again how could the media give fair representation of transpeople? they wouldn't know how to even do it [properly], as we've seen with this dr. phil's talk show and [some others].
what [they] have to understand is that transpeople are [normal], everyday people trying to survive like everyone else, become comfortable in themselves and live a [regular life]. that's the plot i'd like to see someday [in my lifetime].
I make TV. Katia, for the reasons you stated, and a few other reasons, I rarely ever watch it. I don't like having my intelligence insulted.
If the topic turns to TV shows, I can't participate. I've never seen an episode of Seinfeld, and didn't understand Buffy's recent allusion to some TV show named 'Sex and the City' (but gathered from context it didn't really have THAT much to do with sex...)
To me, it's all phony, from the moment the light enters the lens(es) and air vibrations rattle the diaphragm(s). TVs AMAZING power, though, is that 99 and 44/100ths percent of the population believe...
Karen
Quote from: AnomieAssassin on January 15, 2007, 11:09:41 PM
Springer, not surprisingly, launches the worst offenses. On his show, transsexuals are always presented in a way to make them seem immoral, out of control, and unintelligent. When someone attacks them, they always are incapable of launching any sort of defense; the actors that he chooses must be coached to accept whatever he says.
But being that it's so far from the truth, it sure makes stealth a heck of a lot easier.
Melissa
I think hate is a very strong word and I do not using it often.
I hate Dr Phil. A friend likes the show and I have watched it with him in the mornings from time to time. Phil is a self righteous and self serving blow hard. He is no better than Maury or Springer. Blah, I am so glad that I do not have time to watch the television these days.
Hi All:
I tend to agree, Dr Phil has lost a lot of credibility (in my eyes anyway). He has become nothing more than another Gerry Springer with a professional title. It's all about shock and awe. And the awe isn't for awesome....
But I will watch it and I truly hope he doesn't make a fool out of everyone from the TS to partners to children.
Gill
Dr Phil sold out. i feel sorry for him never the less.
Ok.
In the same vein as Dr Phil or perhaps like a train wreck and you are unable to look away.
I just sat through the WE channel "Secret Lives of Women: Transsexuals".
Oh dear.
Lets see, this poor lady, Chris/Christine, couldn't take the tried and true method. About the only counseling we see is the, apparently, endo, saying "Just playing devils advocate here Chris: Are your reasonably sure you really want to go through this?" And of course Chris nodding enthusiastically.
Next stop beautiful downtown (wait for it!) THAILAND! Where Chris over two days gets, not one, but FOUR major surgeries! Day one, trache shave, breast augmentation, and genital surgery. Day two, FFS consisting of brow shave, eye lid trim, rhinoplasty, and maybe some other stuff thrown in on the package deal! For only $20K! Quite a bit is made of Chris counting the greenbacks out for the administrator. Excuse me, but hasn't Thailand gotten with the rest of the banking world and accept Cashiers Checks drawn on major banks?
Four weeks later we see the new Chris, now Christine, reunited with her mother to a teary greeting. BUT SHE STILL WALKS LIKE A LINEBACKER IN HEELS!
No where was there any mention of HBSOC. Other than a five second blurb in front of one of the segments about how "Unlike in America Thailand does not require counseling prior to surgery." And of course the surgeon making sure that Chris understands that "It won't grow back!"
Please Please Please tell me that somewhere there is some poor indie documentary maker who is really trying to tell the complete bloody story!!!
I will trade my funds for my tache shave to fund the documentary, I promise! Maybe my whole FFS funds!
I'm about to go to my corporate governance committee and explain that I'm a transsexual, and all they have to go by as any sort of background is this crap! "Oh yeah, I saw a show on that once... You poor man!" AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In order for them to come to any sort of understanding I'll have to give all of them a brain wipe and start from scratch!
Next on Maury!
See dancing drag queen transsexuals clowns!
I am really trying to keep from saying some very unlady like things right now. At least type them. I sure as hell already shouted them at the bloody tv!
Please, understand, I am mad as hell at the documentary makers. I personally can empathize with Christine's anguish. I think we all can. And we all would like things to move faster. And I truly, deeply hope that she has found peace. She went through hell barefoot in Thailand, so she really deserves to be really happy with the results.
Maybe I should just give up and become a goat herder. At least the sheep wouldn't care what I wear to work.
*sigh*
-Sandy
I hope no one tries that "you poor man" line on me I'd tell them *AHEM* don't you get it, were I a man I would not be doing this in the first place, geez!
It's a good thing I'll be stuck at work; if this episode is going to be anything like what's predicted, I couldn't stand to watch it. :P
I don't really care much for Dr. Phil either, and I'm unfortunately going to have to miss todays show. Now I know that some of you may agree or disagree with me here, but I have found that the only good talk show host that has handled her show well with Transsexuals was Oprah. I saw a good show (even though it was a repeat) about transsexuals a few months ago, and she didn't down play them, which I thought was nice. I would have liked to have seen the show on the WE channel.
Gina
I want to blow Dr. Phil's ass to Jupiter for this show! Aigh!
Gwen Arujo was a male crossdresser?
A F2M needs to pray to Jesus?
Dr. Phil is going to tell him that he is not ready????
This show gets -2 spacekats out of 10. It could have been educational. Instead it is miseducational.
Bri
I have to admit...any respect I had for Dr. Phil was lost during this show.
His schpeel when dealing with the FtM TS was a pathetic attempt to avoid angering the conservative religious faction. It was painfully obvious that this TS individual was following the accepted guidelines and had suffered with this situation for most of his life. Not one single time did Dr. Phil ever acknowledge the fact that this person had been thinking about this change for over 30 years. In fact he repeatedly made allegations of the individual NOT taking enough time to consider what he was doing. Dr. Phil made his 'professional' snap diagnosis that this person was not ready to transition fully because he had an "unrealistic" view of future intimate relationships. I was amazed that the normally bold Dr. Phil cowered like a frightened puppy when faced with this TS mans irrational ultra conservative religious family. You really dropped the ball on that one Phil......
His misuse of pronouns and descriptions of the teenager who attended school 'en femme' was simply nauseating for a man in his position. My jaw dropped when he described this person as a "crossdresser" because she hadn't had any surgeries to make her female yet. Dr. Phil has built his reputation on "telling it like it is" but more and more he "tells it like conservative America likes to hear it". He also skirted all the main issues involved in this case relating to gender identity despite the fact that his show was hyped as a "gender" show. Dropped the ball again on that one Phil.....
Now it comes to the young "girl" who was intersexed. Suddenly Dr. Phil has no problem accepting the gender issue. He finally "gets it" during this section but ONLY because the child is intersexed. What happened to showing that same kind of interest and positive opinion when dealing with the first two people in the show? Obviously Dr. Phil doesn't apply the same degree of validity to transgedered individuals who aren't intersexed. While he never claims to be a specialist in gender he alludes to being qualified to make decisions on the matter due to his thirty years in the therapy business. You couldn't be farther from the truth Dr. Phil. It brought to mind the saying "A little education is a dangerous thing", while Dr. Phil is a well educated man he has no real experience in these kinds of gender issues and therefore created a situation that very easily could have caused more damage than had existed before the show.
Just finished watching the show. Apart for a couple of glaring mistakes it was pretty innocuous as each segment was too short to be given justice. There was a segment on a 36 year old FtM, one on a high school boy who cross-dressed, and a good segment on a little 4 year old girl with AIS.
Of all the segments I feel that Dr P gave the best advice to the parents of the little girl with AIS. The parents want to intervene and surgically alter the little girl by removing the unformed male genitals but Dr P advised them that this was not the best way to go.
I think the best part of the show is the conversations in the shows web site forums, some very spirited arguments can be read. It's interesting reading and reveals how many on the outside see us.
Steph
I don't know. Personally I found it was unprofessional and biased. Firstly, when interviewing the f2m TS Dr Phil called him by his birth gender which I feel is a no no. Secondly, when discussing the 'CD' in highschool I had no idea how to react. If you noticed Dr Phil called her a 'CD' because, in the doc's own words, he did not have GRS yet so he is a 'CD'. ::) Also, while discussing this individual, it was brought up that if this individual is allowed to wear fem attire to school then why can't others wear nose rings etc, which the doc agreed. Back up the gravy train here. Jewelery is a choice. If this individual is TS or IS then there is no choice for her, she is female and dresses accordingly. Herein lays the prob I had with the show. Anyone who is pre op is in the docs mind a CD period. Personally I felt he spun the community backwards after the work our pioneers started doing for us. The part I found interesting but also too short was the couple at the end where the wife called her spouse by the proper gender and vowed to remain and actually seemed happy and comfy with all in their marriage. Ok, I know, I enjoyed it because it was so familiar in that I am in same situation. Lol
Then again maybe I read between the lines too much. I was thinking of e-mailing the doc to 'straighten' him out on the issues in reality but I will hold back on that idea until I find out if I am reading between the lines too much :angel:
Quote from: Steph on January 17, 2007, 05:03:56 PM
I think the best part of the show is the conversations in the shows web site forums, some very spirited arguments can be read. It's interesting reading and reveals how many on the outside see us.
Steph
Can you post a link to that please?
Quote from: Lori on January 18, 2007, 08:01:05 AM
Quote from: Steph on January 17, 2007, 05:03:56 PM
I think the best part of the show is the conversations in the shows web site forums, some very spirited arguments can be read. It's interesting reading and reveals how many on the outside see us.
Steph
Can you post a link to that please?
Here you go Lori:
http://www.drphil.com/messageboard/topic/2179
Steph
I'd really like to watch the actual show. If anybody finds links to the show (google video, YouTube, or other,) could you please PM me with them? I realise there might be copyright issues (and if you TIVO'd it, it may auto-self-destruct in another day or two,) but before I comment, I'd like to see for myself what those who DID watch it are talking about.
(Is it ratings 'sweeps' week already?)
Karen
Karen,
If you go to the link Steph provided you can find transcripts of the show. I am just going through them to see if they are accurate according to what they aired. By the way, again the doc ticks me off on this site. If you scroll to bottom of page showing the highlight of each story it will show 'related links', most of which are about homosexuality, gayness and lesbianism. None of this has anything to do with TGism. Even a professional can't figure out there's a difference between gender and orientation. I think he's beyond hope, but the scary part is so many naieve people follow his shows and believe him.
Ok, I just reviewed those transcripts and while they are mostly accurate, they are not fully accurate. Whoever wrote them corrected the gender in them. Dr Phil was referring to the indiduals by their birth gender but the transcripts use their proper gender. And as is the case with so many other shows, not the entire segment is written in the transcript.
I finally got around to watching the recorded show.
I turned it off about half way through. I was so angry.
A. Dr. Phil, although he said he wasn't, seemed to be attacking Cameron.
B. The aunt REALLY made me mad. Saying that Cameron was going to hell if "she" doesn't change. I was sitting there flipping off the TV, seriously lol.
I can't write a full critique, because I couldn't sit through that awful, biased show any longer. Any respect I had for him is gone.
Heck, Jerry Springer is even more respectful than that lol
Gah I missed it. Although yes, he's a jackass, I'd have liked to see a show on transsexuals as I've only seen snippets of one, Oprah's, online.
I saw it. It was really bad. Cameron was attacked. I was very disapointed.
Marco
A friend's GF made the mistake of bringing up this show and how good it was. I made her feel like a complete jerk for saying it.
Make the world a better place, write to have him removed from the air.
LIT, how would we go about doing this. Where do we write to. I will write as I have had issues with this person since the last time he has done this.
Sheila
You actually need to write a few different places.
First off the local affiliate. They have to carry some but not all of the network programming. Being in the South the local affiliates drop off anything they deem overly offensive to their Christian upbringing. They cannot do it too often as they will eventually risk their affiliation with the network.
Then you need to write to the main network.
Then you need to write to each and every advertiser. Signing as a concerned citizens group will make them take you a bit more seriously. I have actually written to advertisers to thank them for supporting certain shows that I enjoyed but were targeted for cancelation. Even some of the really big backers will take time to respond if you write the letter correctly.
Plus you need to write to Phil's producers (check the credits) and be sure to tell them why you are writing. Reference things like the Associate Press' guidelines for transgender coverage and also be sure to recommend things like the SOC and a few of the big players who have been active on a national stage (ie Marci Bowers who was on CSI). This establishes peer groups from two settings, doctors and television.
All letters should be:
Short and to the point (one page, max)
Respectful
Include full contact information.
Writing to local trans publications or trans friendly publications with concerns is a good way to get the problem recognised and perhaps even a larger movement to education and/or do away with the show in question. Short Op-Ed pieces can do wonders.
Yes, this does work and this is how those who oppose our existence operate. I have been a part of lobbying efforts in the past and found the above to be really effective.
Quote from: LostInTime on January 21, 2007, 03:59:39 PM
Then you need to write to each and every advertiser. Signing as a concerned citizens group will make them take you a bit more seriously.--
--Yes, this does work and this is how those who oppose our existence operate. I have been a part of lobbying efforts in the past and found the above to be really effective.
I'll put my signature on such a letter, and I bet many members of Susans.org will also do so.
So, assuming the letter is written and passes muster, how do we do it?
Karen
LIT, thank you. I'm starting now. I'm really tired of some dimwit on the TV who thinks he is Gods creation to the psychology world. Too bad Oprah didn't see him for what he is.
Shiela
Just write a nice letter following the minimal guidelines I posted and then drop it into the mail. Postal mail is one of the best ways. If the behavior continues then you start calling and faxing the network and affiliates plus continue writing to the advertisers. Remember that you do not need to be T to do this so get your friends and their friends involved as well.
oopsy-I actually e-mailed the ol' doc instead of the supporters to remove him. But now that you mentioned it starting with Oprah's company would make a good start. I can't remember it right now but it's easy to find though. :angel:
I believe it's called "Harpo Productions"...or something close.
I thought she disowned him last season... which is why hes on fox now... or is that just local? I dont keep up with all this TV junk most of the time
OK, I *finally* saw this show last night, and ya know... I didn't think it was THAT bad.
No, I'm not suggesting it for recommended viewing to educate people about all this, as he messed up quite a few things... but it wasn't the arrogant hostility that I expected either.
He mostly just seemed to be playing the part of a mediator, trying to bring both sides together by acknowledging *everyone's* concerns. I don't remember him ever judging GID in general, and in fact he AFFIRMED it as being a real and valid condition a number of times, intentionally pointing out for example that the m2f in school was NOT simply crossdressing, making a distinction between crossdressing for attention and GID as a medical condition being treated by a medical doctor. Bravo.
As for him telling the F2M he wasn't ready... well, that was a very premature judgement, but he WAS right in that if he doesn't forsee problems in relationships after transitioning, especially with intimate ones, then he IS being very, very unrealistic. Although he said he's been "thinking about this" for many years, he's been in therapy for only TWO MONTHS I believe. I'd be concerned too at this point. All he really seemed to be saying was, "Slow down, you obviously haven't researched this thoroughly, just make sure you fully understand the process and consequences before you commit to it." I agree with Phil.
The "pray to jesus" suggestion wasn't appeasing the religious right or suggesting that GID is evil, he was just trying to negotiate some sort of understanding with a very religious family. I don't agree with that, as he shouldn't be allowing them to impose their religious prejudices on others, BUT... within a family mediation session, it made some sense if finding mutual compromises was his goal.
I dunno, maybe if I wasn't already expecting the worst after reading the reviews I'd feel differently, but it didn't seem all THAT bad to me. In fact, I think it did some GOOD by repeatedly stating that GID is a medical condition, and not a hobby or lifestyle.
Kate
Thanks for the review Kate. I haven't seen the show yet myself, but it's good to get a different opinion. :)
Melissa
I would agree with many of your points Kate except that Dr. Phil has built his philosophy and reputation on "telling it like it is whether you want to hear it or not". Had his primary role going into this been as a "negotiator" then yes I can see, to a certain degree, trying to appease both sides of the arguements. However viewers expect Dr. Phil to "tell it like it is" and, sadly, they believe whatever he says.
When Dr. Phil refers to the school student as a crossdresser because he hasn't had any surgeries then all the puddingheads assume that anyone who hasn't had SRS is a crossdresser.
When Dr. Phil recommends that the FtM join his families religious rhetoric and pray because "hey, what could it hurt?", knowing full well that the family would not accept ANY result other than "if you accept jesus into your heart he will cure you", all of his loyal lemmings see the good doctor encouraging a religious "cure" for this problem. It was obvious to you, I and most TG people I'm sure, that Dr. Phil was trying to negotiate some common ground but in doing so he gave validity to the familys archaic views. The vast majority of viewers don't understand what transgender even means so 'blurring' the facts is grossly irresponsible for a man with his credentials.
Whether this FtM had a realistic view of his future relationships we can't know that and neither can Dr. Phil. This guy was bullied from the beginning of the show by the relentless yakking of his family and constantly being interrupted by Dr. Phil. You can see at the beginning of the show that he visibly upset and about to cry which makes it difficult to express yourself well. He wasn't given a fair opportunity to express himself because he was only allowed to speak in short burst before being interrupted.
The FtM did state he had been in therapy for 2 months but he also said his therapist agreed 100% in what he was wanting to do i.e. legal name change and top surgery. It's not uncommon for therapists to make a GID diagnosis earlier in late term transsexuals than younger patients. This isn't done because the late term transsexual is running out of time but because they have a long history already that the therapist can look at and interpret as part of the diagnosis. I would put much more faith in the FtM's therapists decisions to say he was ready than Dr. Phils half hour diagnosis that he wasn't.
I can understand that by reading the myriad of angry posts on here that one might assume there was a hostile atmosphere during the show when it was far from that. The damage Dr. Phil did was not only by using grossly incorrect terminologies and definitions but by suggesting there might be some validity to the families claim that "jesus can cure you of these feelings". The potential damage is immeasurable among the families of Dr. Phil followers who are dealing with transgendered family members or friends in my opinion.
Quote from: BrandiOK on January 25, 2007, 11:50:16 AM
The damage Dr. Phil did was not only by using grossly incorrect terminologies and definitions but by suggesting there might be some validity to the families claim that "jesus can cure you of these feelings".
I agree, I squirmed at that part too. I know what he was tying to do, but I agree that it validated religious prejudices way too much.
What I would have LOVED to hear would be the religious families opinion on the AIS child, since "God doesn't make mistakes" and chromomes define who you are.
In the end though, I don't Phil's indirectly validating "pray to jesus" people changed any minds out there. You generally cannot "educate" these people, they just don't want to hear it if it's not The Word Of God. The weird thing is it's not like the bible states "thou shalt not change thy sex" or anything, so I don't get why they think it's a sin anyway. How these people can be arrogant enough to interpret God's will for everyone, deciding who burns in hell and who goes to heaven, is beyond me.
Kate
evidence of how one man destroys many lives
As I said before, I e-mailed my distaste to him in a respective way but he hasn't responded as of yet. I sent it the same week as the show so that tells you how much he cares about those he hurts.
Quote from: Kim on January 28, 2007, 04:50:43 AM
As I said before, I e-mailed my distaste to him in a respective way but he hasn't responded as of yet.
Hi Kim;
Do you really think he will respond? I understand that a few people from these forums emailed him, and I still haven't heard about any replies made by Dr. Phil. Does he even read his emails or is there someone else who reads them for him?
tinkerbell :icon_chick:
To be honest Tinkerbell, no I didn't expect an answer but as I said that just shows his lack of professionalism.
I stopped watching Dr. Phil years ago. The last time I saw him on TV, he had a husband on there by phone who crossdressed and this guy's wife was on the show. The husband did not want to be identified because he was afraid he would lose his job. The advice Dr. Phil gave the husband was pretty pathetic. The wife was theatening to divorse her husband if he did not stop crossdressing. Apparently the husband was crossdressing even before they got married. The husband thought getting married would cure him, but he was mistaken. The sad thing was they have two children together. This show was too pretty much more an intervention than anything else. Then Dr. Phil had the gall to tell all his viewers who crossdress to simply STOP! Yeah right. Once the Genie is out of the bottle how can you stop?
Shannon
No, didn't watch the show, didn't know of the subject, would not have watched had I known. I never watch MR Phil's show. Yes, Mister Phil. I've referred to him that way always. He sure ain't know doctor, pun intended.
Bev
An old thread, but remember, Dr. Phil isn't a real Doctor, he just plays one on TV! ::)
Susan Kay
Quote from: SusanKay140 on March 05, 2007, 05:29:17 PM
An old thread, but remember, Dr. Phil isn't a real Doctor, he just plays one on TV! ::)
OMG, that's too cute Susan. :)
Melissa