Sports reporter to undergo sex change

Actually, it was Art Fern of the Tea Time Movie, not Carnac.[analeditor]

A couple of thoughts on this subject and the various tangential stuff springing from it.

1. Based on my experience, I'd have to say the vast majority of readers don't read bylines and couldn't care less who wrote the story they're reading.

2. While not a proponent of blondebomber's bombastic style, he might be right here. This might have been a better fit for the front of the Lifestyle section.

3. Loved Randy Harvey's reaction.

 

I wonder how much, if any, of this insurance would cover. It might be considered an elective procedure.

 

Good for Mike/Christine, and good for having the courage to talk about it in a public forum, despite what some on here who are less enlightened might think about it.
Just curious: does the Times' health insurance plan cover something like this?? Wow.

 

Sorry, blondebomber, as a longtime newspaperman and an occasional reader of the LA Times, I was interested in the story and feel it was where it belonged. Mike Penner's byline appeared in the paper for 20 years, there are some readers who would like to know what happened to him. Now they know. No more needs to be said or written about it in sports.

And, as others have said, if you don't give a whit about it, read something else.

 

Wow.

This is one column I'm happy I'll never ever have to write.

As far as where it belongs in the paper, if Penner was announcing that he had cancer, or some other disease, no one would think anything of it being in the sports section. These types of columns are commonplace. So why not this?

Best of luck. It sounds as if he has a very supportive group of co-workers. I do not know Mike Penner, but it sounds as if he must be a good guy to work with, and now that karma is being repaid.

A good column makes you put yourself in the writer's shoes. This did, for me. Any male who says he read this and didn't wonder, "What would I do in the same situation?"' or, "Wow, I hope he knows what he's in for." is probably lying.

 

This is a courageous move on Mike Penner's part.

Now here's the thing. People in the industry get face lifts, nose jobs, breast implants, or (insert cosmetic surgery here) or older men and women go through hormone treatments or take medicine for erectile dysfunction or (insert medical treatment for the aging here).

A sex change is on a totally different level than the aforementioned medical treatments. However, it takes quite the personal fortitude to admit that such a procedure is taking place. I wish the best to Mike.

 

Its #1 on the most viewed stories on the LA Times web site right now.
Its #1 on the most e-mailed stories on the LA Times web site right now.

 

Maybe Christine Daniels' morning briefing will be funnier than Mike Penner's. One can dream...

 

It's different, I'll grant you that...

But why not go in sports?

Now, if he wrote a series on the transformation and surgery, yeah, lifestyle or health... But I dont have a problem with this..

 

I think, as a column, it makes great sense to have it in sports, where his byline has been found for so long.

That said, it also presented an opportunity for a really nice feature on the topic in another section of the paper, something to give it a more thorough, informational treatment.