Dr. Marci Bowers |
Some on social media called it boring or at the best a Transgender 101 primer. For those of us who have lived a trans experience, indeed some of the show seemed a little tedious to me. Except for the exchange between trans pioneer Renee Richards, and Hari Nef a self described "gender fluid" 20 something. I for one have never really liked Richards persona although obviously I don't know her. She is like someone's mean grandmother. The gender fluid girl talked of a time when gender wouldn't matter and Richards huffed "Utopia" before the interview came to a rather uncomfortable end.
Hari Nef |
Renee Richards |
Other parts of the two hour show contained an interview with famed SRS surgeon Marci Bowers, and later a look at the El Pollo Loco franchise in California owned by a transgender woman. She makes a good habit of hiring other trans women.
The link above should take you to a Global News site which gives a more in depth look at the show, Here is an excerpt:
“It was an effort to educate the public about transgender individuals, and ironically, what people didn’t realize is that it was a taped show, and I could have taken that part out,” said Couric. “But I tried to use it as a teachable moment, and to show people there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to have these conversations. But I think, obviously, I had a lot to learn then, and I still … I’m not the world’s expert on gender issues. I certainly know a lot more having done this documentary.”
A teachable moment indeed if the word on this show which included the rest room battle in North Carolina, a transgender kids summer camp and a senior citizen transitioner and her wife reaches the right people.
Quite a bit of ground to cover in two hours when you consider the first half hour focused on intersex people. I have provided another link to National Geographic itself where you maybe able to catch the show.