Sports reporter to undergo sex change

I, for one, don't know anything. But just because I have questions doesn't mean Christine or the LAT is obligated to answer them.

Sure, that's an issue for me, journalistically. But as someone (SF?) commented earlier, I'm a human being before I'm a journalist. I don't have a problem forsaking my questions (especially this particular one) in order to respect her privacy.

 

Splitters! Sorry, Monty Python reference.

Yes, those who would beat us and kill us don't worry about such fine distinctions. I'm a bit of a heretic inasmuch as my own studies indicate that CD and TS, while distinct, are just phenomena caused by intersex of different parts of the brain to different degrees.

 

I'm not one who thinks that she should have been named if she wasn't OK with it. My nosy self was wondering if one of the reasons she was never brought up was that they weren't married any longer.

I shall now go to my room and just read.

 

Fair enough. But speaking from the journalistic point of view, this can of worms was opened when Mike/Christine wrote the story yesterday. Millions of readers, both in print and online, might not know he is married. But a major aspect of this transition for Mike/Christine - as you noted above - is the effect it has on Mike/Christine's family. That is the proverbial elephant in the room. That is a major part of the human drama in this story, and that is the question no answer has been provided for.

And it undoubtedly would be a very compelling part of the story. If there is a story (now more than one story) about Mike's transition to Christine, it is entirely appropriate to explore this aspect. Because how he deals with his transition in relation to his family, and how his family deals with his trasition, would go a long way to completely fleshing out this fascinating narrative.

Does the public have a "right to know"? Nope. But those who will follow this story to the end - a story Mike/Christine CHOSE to put out there - have a right to ask. And I wouldn't mind seeing, at some point as this continues to evolve through Mike/Christine's online work, at least a throwaway line that indicates Mike/Christine's wife and family have specifically requested not to be mentioned, or his choice not to mention them.

I can live without that information, obviously. As a journalist, it feels like a glaring absence to me, especially when that would usually be a major aspect of a story like this one. Yes, we're all human beings first. But if you were doing a story like this, you would actively seek to find out about the family's reaction.

 

So much of this thread proves journalists are open-minded, compassionate and curious about how the human mind and body works.
Thanks to Christine, ZoeB, dyssonance and ADahlsHouse for sharing their compelling stories.

 

You have to figure that latimes.com will use the "Woman in Progress" series to address the unanswered (read:wife) questions. Unless the wife doesn't want them aired out, which she is in a unique position of controlling. "...My wife declined comment for this story..." Can't imagine reading that line, ever. It's gotta be assumed.

 

Absolutely. My thanks for your consideration, it's not something we're used to.

The readers comments on the article were also overwhelmingly supportive. That is also cause for optimism.

 

The in progress column will almost certainly deal with the wife in some way -- but the only way you'll be able to get the story is from her.

In honesty, I think Zoe's figure of 1 in 5 marriages surviving is a bit optimistic. Of the 45 TS I know personally, there are 2 marriages that made it, and it certainly wasn't for the lack of trying on all sides.

Remember not only is she dealing with what is usually percieved as the death of a loved one (a very real grief), but she's also dealing with the full weight of the perceptions of the world turned on her. If she stays married to Christine, what will be the impact on their life?

How will others view them?

For those of you who know Lisa: reach out as a human being. She most certainly needs to know that she has friends, and that this enormous event has not somewhow reduced her as a person or caused her to be a failure in some way.

There's nothing easy about transition.

 

That is the problem in our world no one gives a dam about anything but themselves. What would you rather hear about his suicide in the front page? Have some compassion, you never know what kind of Karma life has in store for you. This could happen to your grandkids, or their kids. Is a matter of fact I highly recommend for you to watch 20/20 tonight Barbara Walters has a special on transgender children. Oh by the way, the proper term is transgender. Transvestites are individuals who dress as the opposite gender for sexual pleasure. This is not the case with transgenders it is a biological condition, such as any other neurobiological disorder a human being could have. I suggest you educate yourself, and then learn to think and feel outside the box. You are not the only person living in this world.

 

5% is the historical rate: 20% may be more correct now from what I've seen recently. It's also possible I'm engaging in wishful thinking: my transition started after Christine's did, less than 2 years ago, and I don't want my 26 year marriage to dissolve. Not that we're husband and wife now, nor even wife and wife. Just two women who've been through good times and bad over a quarter century, who love each other, and who have together made a son.

Oh yes, please, do that if you can. She deserves as much kindness as you can give her, she must be feeling terribly vulnerable right now. Give her my regards please, tell her it's not her fault, and it's not Christine's either. Lisa could have been the one in the Boy body just as easily. Stuff happens.

Amen, Sister. Wonderful, Tragic, Breathtaking, Heartbreaking, Hilarious, Embarrassing, yes. Easy, no. Never easy.

 

When does the media give a dam about any other public figure? Is there any doubt that news organizations from around the world would be harrasing all family members and friends of Christine and their pictures would be all over the front pages.

This is a real example of the double standard exists.

 

LOL Hiya Mark