Transgendered persons make up less than one-half of one percent of the American population, experts say, but the drive to expand their rights is gaining momentum. And Christians are concerned such efforts will encourage gender confusion among children.
In the latest media report on transgenderism, an 8-year-old Colorado boy wants to be recognized as a girl. The second-grader has found support from his parents and his Denver-area elementary school, which is making two unisex bathrooms available and having its teachers call him by a girl's name.
Douglas County School District, the third largest district in Colorado, recently released a statement to CNN regarding the transgender child, saying: "We continue to be focused on providing a positive learning environment for this student and all students in the class and school that is free from harassment. As with many other students, this particular student brings a diverse set of circumstances to the school setting."
Douglas County Schools spokesman Whei Wong said the school is adjusting to make sure the staff is well informed about "some of the challenges surrounding these different kinds of diversity factors."
Conservative family group Americans for Truth rejected the school officials framing the case as an issue of "diversity," arguing that such labeling shows "the elasticity of that term to include extremely disordered behavioral choices among even the youngest students."
Conservative groups also contend the student is too young to decide to want to change gender identity.
"Premature closure on such an important issue as gender identity doesn’t bode well for young children," Dr. Dean Byrd, a member of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, told Family News in Focus. “Boys are curious about boys, and they’re curious about girls. I don’t want this to be translated to a label for a child so young.”
One parent, whose 14-year-old daughter now identifies as a male, doesn't believe the Colorado student's decision was premature.
Kim Pearson cited the American Academy of Pediatrics, saying that children have their identity formed between the ages of three and five, she told CNN.
Pearson is the executive director of TransYouth Family Advocates and said she has not discouraged her daughter from masculine behavior. After noticing signs of depression from her child as she got older, Pearson said she felt "relief" when her daughter claimed to have a male identity because she knew then what they were dealing with.
"We just want kids to be safe and happy, and be able to get an education," said Pearson who has commended Douglas County Schools for accommodating the 8-year-old transgender student.
Americans for Truth, which is devoted to opposing and countering the homosexual agenda, says permissive parenting may play a major role in encouraging "gender-confused identity in a child."
“If the parents are so misled to encourage their child in this gender-confused behavior, they should not be allowed to teach that same behavior to all the other students in the school,” said Peter LaBarbera, president of Americans for Truth, according to OneNewsNow.
One parent of the Colorado student's classmate told CNN that it's a very difficult situation to explain to his daughter as to why someone would not want to be a gender they were born with.
For some conservative groups, support for the transgender student is just the latest in a continuing trend of moral relativism in public schools. Organizations have coalesced in campaigns calling for Christian parents to pull their children out of public schools and to find alternatives.
"Christians have already become numb to the moral relativism that is taught in all public schools today," said Bruce Shortt, author of The Harsh Truth About Public Schools, in a statement last week. "Now children will be told that their sexual orientation and gender are relative, too.
"No longer will children raised in these schools understand that God made us male and female with different, but complementary roles. Instead, children will be taught that sexual orientation and gender are merely a matter of personal choice. Thus, children will be told that because there are many sexual orientations and gender identities, they simply have to reach their own conclusions about which sexual orientation and gender 'possibilities' are 'right for them.'"
And the likely consequences for this are "horrendous," Shortt said.
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"an 8-year-old Colorado boy wants to be recognized as a girl. The second-grader has found support from his parents and his Denver-area elementary school, which is making two unisex bathrooms available and having its teachers call him by a girl's name."
This has nothing to do with creating "fear" it does however have a lot to do with "confusion" as the title apropriately addresses. The 8 year old boy probably does not have any sexual desires. He more than likely has been influenced by the homosexual propaganda that is being taught and advanced in schools and on the streets. The boy needs a little guidance and male affirmation, not a new bathroom.
http://www.massresistance.org/media/video/brainwashing.html
Completely agree Lily. The child you referred to was killed in my old junior high school in California ... as a transexual woman myself I know first-hand the hate and fear engendered by such groups as Americans for "Truth" and their self-serving, bigoted leaders such as Peter LaBarbera.
It might be advisable for the Americans for Truth Group to go back and learn that sexuality and gender are not one in the same. That is where the confusion is regarding this matter.I am especially appalled at the FEAR created by such people. It was more than likely one of the reasons an eigth grade student shot his classmate to death this week in California.He was reacting to the key word that all of the negative comments about people who are different produces.It is a four letter word beginning with F. No, not what came to your mind immediately,it is FEAR.
Lily McBeth
Reenie:
I'm sorry, I really don't understand what you are trying to say. Your post seems to ramble, even though it is rather short. Can you explain, please?
Reenie,
"You'll be outnumbered and face-to-face with God himself. And some explaining to do... "
I guess I'll probably just quote from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. If the Almighty tells me, "Hey those are just words ... I didn't really mean it", I guess I'll just wing it from there.
Oh my; "gender confusion" another button to push while pushing the "homosexual agenda" button Any who belives gender orientation or sexual orientation is a "choice" is ignorant as heck Next on the Christian agenda, the use of gender neutral first names. :)
Transgenders make up about one-half of one percent, it's true. We get murdered a lot, all the way through history. Others are driven to suicide because of your preaching. My brother was killed in a road accident and he visits me in my dreams. Tells me the place is full of transfolk. What will you do when you get there? Exponential population growth says there are more people alive than have ever died, but not so for transgenders. You'll be outnumbered and face-to-face with God himself. And some explaining to do...