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News & ArtsMonday, December 12, 2011
LGBTQITSLFA Becoming Nicole
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 12:25 PM
A terrifically moving story about identical twins—one of whom is transgender—and the family that loves and supports her.
1
That story was beautiful and a great read, the kind of thing that can win hearts and minds of people who don't know a lot about/are uncomfortable with trans issues.
2
wow, so sweet. got a little tear at the end, when the dad was talking about holding his daughter's hand. :)
3
That's awesome and adorable.
I look forward to the day when modern medicine can grow gonads and genitalia from undifferentiated cells and give transsexuals standard physiology.
In theory, it should be possible. For a MTF, you take a progenitor cell, duplicate the X and remove the Y, and coerce the cell colony to develop into the proper tissues on a scaffolding of some sort. For a FTM, you'd do the same sort of thing, except that one X would have to be removed and an extraneous Y would have to be brought in.
I look forward to the day when modern medicine can grow gonads and genitalia from undifferentiated cells and give transsexuals standard physiology.
In theory, it should be possible. For a MTF, you take a progenitor cell, duplicate the X and remove the Y, and coerce the cell colony to develop into the proper tissues on a scaffolding of some sort. For a FTM, you'd do the same sort of thing, except that one X would have to be removed and an extraneous Y would have to be brought in.
4
I'm always tremendously moved when I read about conservative/traditional parents who open their minds and grow as people in support of their children. Glad to be a Bostonian today.
5
Not to focus on looks, but she's adorable as a girl. It's great that doctors are starting to crack the gender dysphoria puzzle.
6
@3 given that you'd be inducing differentiation in a dish there's probably no need for chromosomal manipulations. There are known cases of XY females (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XY_gonadal_…) --only one gene needs to be non functional, so that's easy to replicate--and I'd be surprised if the rest of what's on the Y chromosome is terribly critical. At worst you could add required missing genes back in a smaller artificial chromosome, much easier than swapping whole chromosomes.
but details aside, yeah it should be possible, eventually. Just have to figure out the right cues to add and the whole scaffolding issue. I'm sure someone's working on that aspect of development and I know the scaffolding problem is being addressed for other tissues.
but details aside, yeah it should be possible, eventually. Just have to figure out the right cues to add and the whole scaffolding issue. I'm sure someone's working on that aspect of development and I know the scaffolding problem is being addressed for other tissues.
7
I'll admit that I find the existence of identical twins with different sexual orientations or gender identities fascinating. I don't doubt the biological origin of either phenomenon, but identical twins, who besides the same DNA share the same uterus at the same time with the same placenta, present quite a puzzle. All of the hypothesis about maternal hormones or proteins during pregnancy cannot account for the existence of to identical twins with entirely different gender identities.
In the case of homosexuality it's a purely academic topic of course since being gay requires no treatment. However for transgendered folks pinning down a cause, or being able to predict it with some degree of accuracy, would contribute to getting affected children the treatment they need as soon as possible.
In the case of homosexuality it's a purely academic topic of course since being gay requires no treatment. However for transgendered folks pinning down a cause, or being able to predict it with some degree of accuracy, would contribute to getting affected children the treatment they need as soon as possible.
8
@6: If you want to create a viable germline you need to make the karyotype match the gender. If you're just worried about structure and performance but not fertility, you wouldn't have to worry about that; just knock out SRY and whatever else, and an FTM is good to go. For an MTF, just add in those genes on a BAC or something. Remember, the pseudo-autosomal regions of X and Y DO have effects on gene dosage, which is why XXY, XXX, and X0 individuals are usually sterile.
They've made functional (if rather misshapen) kidneys from adult mouse tissue. I'd say that some transsexuals will be getting genuine junk by 2075 at the latest, probably more like 2050.
They've made functional (if rather misshapen) kidneys from adult mouse tissue. I'd say that some transsexuals will be getting genuine junk by 2075 at the latest, probably more like 2050.
9
Did you notice that the girl's mother uses the same "birth defect" language that got Chaz Bono in trouble with the LGBT language police?
10
What a very sweet story.
It is wonderful to hear of a father who comes to accept that he "didn't lose a son" because he "never really had two sons".
Sounds like Nicole is well on her way of leading a life of advocacy and trying to make things better for others. She's already done quite a bit for just being 14, imagine how much more she might accomplish as she moves on to her late-teens & early twenties.
Also, it is great that she is getting the chance to meet older transpeople who are in long-term relationships - a chance to see that love is a very real possibility for her, in spite of her fear that it might not.
It is wonderful to hear of a father who comes to accept that he "didn't lose a son" because he "never really had two sons".
Sounds like Nicole is well on her way of leading a life of advocacy and trying to make things better for others. She's already done quite a bit for just being 14, imagine how much more she might accomplish as she moves on to her late-teens & early twenties.
Also, it is great that she is getting the chance to meet older transpeople who are in long-term relationships - a chance to see that love is a very real possibility for her, in spite of her fear that it might not.
11
@7 - I was just thinking that same thing. There had to be some genetic quirk after the zygote split into to separate embryos, I guess. But my degree is in English, so what do I know?
This story was really touching, though,
This story was really touching, though,
12
@11, well speaking as a biochemist, while I wouldn't neccesarily reject the notion of a de-novo genetic mutation, that wouldn't be where I'd look first, especially since no true genetic origin is known for transgenderism.
Though my last embryology class was a long time ago, I do remember that small differences in the chemical environment of an embryo can lead to much more amplified changes in development, particularly in the early stages. Identical twins are very, very similar, but differences do occur, and it could be that at a critical point in development, the fetus that was to become Nicole reacted to the inmediate chemical environment in a way that set her on her path.
Still, I hope she and her brother are willing to let doctors examine them. Identical twins are incredibly valuable for medical research, and perhaps they could help the transgendered kids of the future.
Though my last embryology class was a long time ago, I do remember that small differences in the chemical environment of an embryo can lead to much more amplified changes in development, particularly in the early stages. Identical twins are very, very similar, but differences do occur, and it could be that at a critical point in development, the fetus that was to become Nicole reacted to the inmediate chemical environment in a way that set her on her path.
Still, I hope she and her brother are willing to let doctors examine them. Identical twins are incredibly valuable for medical research, and perhaps they could help the transgendered kids of the future.
15
This was so beautiful, I started to cry. These kids have to know how lucky they are to have the most amazing supportive parents ever. Nicole has a huge support that so many lack, I know she has a bright future. He family should be remembered for their courageous struggle to be accepting and supportive of both their kids. Bless them.
16
@12, I believe researchers in Australia identified a gene linked to transsexuality. Not definitive, but the length of the androgen receptor gene definitely has something to do with it - similar to the gene linked to left-handedness.
17
And here is lovely Nicole and her daddy giving speeches at the Spirit of Justice Awards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJQmdw-JC…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJQmdw-JC…
18
Gosh, it does my heart good to read about that family. I hope more parents of transgender kids can follow their lead.
19
"She" and "Her"
If you're going to do the story right, Boston Globe, do it right. Nicole is and has always been a girl. Doing research for the story, you should have come across a little thing called "correct gender pronouns."
If you're going to do the story right, Boston Globe, do it right. Nicole is and has always been a girl. Doing research for the story, you should have come across a little thing called "correct gender pronouns."
21
@ 19, yes I guess you are right but from a storytelling point it makes sense to make the switch at the moment she changes names. For people not wel versed in gender issues the story would become both confusing and would give already "the punch line away" so to speak.
I think this important story written in accessible and comprehensive form being published is way more important than getting the "correct gender pronouns".
Not to mention that from the parents/society perspective "he" was not confirming, only after she went to the tg positive doctor "he" became "she" for everyone else but herself too
I think this important story written in accessible and comprehensive form being published is way more important than getting the "correct gender pronouns".
Not to mention that from the parents/society perspective "he" was not confirming, only after she went to the tg positive doctor "he" became "she" for everyone else but herself too
22
That was a very sweet and inspiring story. I must admit that trans issues make me uncomfortable-- not to the point that I think trans people should be denied rights or discriminated against, just as a sort of reflexive "I don't want to think about that." And before I read this story I probably would have been against blocking hormones in a child because of gender dysmorphic disorder. But this kid has so clearly always known she was a girl that it would have been wrong to deny her the treatment that will make her eventual transition (I'm not sure of the language; is the surgery she will probably have to give her female genitalia her transition if she's already living as a female?) much easier.
23
I know I'm probably going to get absolutely slammed for this view, but this article greatly disturbs me.
I have nothing against trans people. I have nothing against kids wearing opposite-gendered clothing and calling themselves whatever they want.
I DO have something against children making gigantic, life changing decisions about their bodies.
If we say that a kid cannot consent to sex because they can't comprehend the consequences, why the hell can we say a kid can consent to gigantic hormone treatments that block puberty and rewire their entire bodies???
It's perverse and exploitative!
Not to mention, a lot of kids go through phases of wanting to be all sorts of things.... I personally went through a couple year phase of wanting to be a boy because I thought Calvin and Hobbes was really cool and I didn't want to be a "slimy girl". Can you imagine what would have happened to me if my parents had taken me seriously? I would have messed myself up for life because I was just being a kid!
If people want to get gender reassignment surgery, they can wait until they're old enough to fully comprehend the consequences. A kid isn't mentally capable of doing that.
I have nothing against trans people. I have nothing against kids wearing opposite-gendered clothing and calling themselves whatever they want.
I DO have something against children making gigantic, life changing decisions about their bodies.
If we say that a kid cannot consent to sex because they can't comprehend the consequences, why the hell can we say a kid can consent to gigantic hormone treatments that block puberty and rewire their entire bodies???
It's perverse and exploitative!
Not to mention, a lot of kids go through phases of wanting to be all sorts of things.... I personally went through a couple year phase of wanting to be a boy because I thought Calvin and Hobbes was really cool and I didn't want to be a "slimy girl". Can you imagine what would have happened to me if my parents had taken me seriously? I would have messed myself up for life because I was just being a kid!
If people want to get gender reassignment surgery, they can wait until they're old enough to fully comprehend the consequences. A kid isn't mentally capable of doing that.
24
I don't think, 23, you understand what is going on really.
A gigantic, life changing decision about their bodies would be to have gender reassingment surgery. A small, pretty insignificant change - or lack of change, to be more accurate - would be to use puberty blockers to prevent body from developing sex-typical characteristics.
We say a kid cannot consent to sex because they can't comprehend the consequences, and we say that if a qualified therapist has had meetings with the kids (a requirement), they may go on suppressors. After suppressors, if they decide to go further, they can do hormonal injections that rewire their body. The suppressors do not rewire anything.
And since a lot of kids go through phases, that is exactly why suppressors are reversible - and many who have had them have decided not to transition and have been perfectly fine, no life changing decisions made. Really, read the article.
I don't think you can compare your Calvin and Hobbes fandom as being at ALL comparable to the things that parents see in their transgender children. Not at all.
If people want gender reassingment surgery, they HAVE TO wait until they are 18. EVERYWHERE. Please, inform yourself.
A gigantic, life changing decision about their bodies would be to have gender reassingment surgery. A small, pretty insignificant change - or lack of change, to be more accurate - would be to use puberty blockers to prevent body from developing sex-typical characteristics.
We say a kid cannot consent to sex because they can't comprehend the consequences, and we say that if a qualified therapist has had meetings with the kids (a requirement), they may go on suppressors. After suppressors, if they decide to go further, they can do hormonal injections that rewire their body. The suppressors do not rewire anything.
And since a lot of kids go through phases, that is exactly why suppressors are reversible - and many who have had them have decided not to transition and have been perfectly fine, no life changing decisions made. Really, read the article.
I don't think you can compare your Calvin and Hobbes fandom as being at ALL comparable to the things that parents see in their transgender children. Not at all.
If people want gender reassingment surgery, they HAVE TO wait until they are 18. EVERYWHERE. Please, inform yourself.
25
@23: That's why they make kids go through a transitional phase, where it's not too late to reverse treatment, before committing to the gender reassignment. It's all taken very slowly and cautiously, and it's only done for kids who are strongly and clearly manifesting gender dysphoria. If there's any doubt or second thoughts, treatment is cancelled or put on hold until the individual is older and can make a confident decision one way or the other.
28
Really beautiful. Like, truly, truly wonderful.
@5 I agree
@9 I think it's a really different context - the "birth defect" her mother is talking about is the fact that she was born into a boy's body (like, the penis would be the birth defect). The fact that she's a girl isn't what she's calling a defect (which is what most people mean when they say it - the body is correct and the brain isn't), it's her incorrect body that her mom is calling a defect.
@5 I agree
@9 I think it's a really different context - the "birth defect" her mother is talking about is the fact that she was born into a boy's body (like, the penis would be the birth defect). The fact that she's a girl isn't what she's calling a defect (which is what most people mean when they say it - the body is correct and the brain isn't), it's her incorrect body that her mom is calling a defect.
29
Wow, that story was really awesome. I found most interesting the bit about how Wayne, the father, was so conflicted about Nicole's gender, but eventually realized that she wasn't the son he lost, but the daughter he'd always had.
It's interesting that parents are often more confused about their transgendered children (even as adults) than their trans children are. And they claim that transpeople are the ones who are confused. Bah, they're the ones who are so certain!
It's interesting that parents are often more confused about their transgendered children (even as adults) than their trans children are. And they claim that transpeople are the ones who are confused. Bah, they're the ones who are so certain!
30
@7 "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" Far too many people are still under the misconception that identical twins are genetically identical. Here, have a link to one of the many articles on the genetic differences discovered between identical twins http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/200…
Not being genetically identical is the norm for identical twins. They are simply more genetically identical than any two people who aren't twins (at least until cloning humans is possible).
They also don't have identical prenatal environments. It's similar, of course, but not identical. And depending on the specifics of the prenatal setup, they may be competing for resources and get different amounts of them.
So, basically, this means that it'd make it easier to track down factors that might be relevant, since fewer vary. But it doesn't rule out genetically based causes. Or environmentally triggered genetically based causes.
Not being genetically identical is the norm for identical twins. They are simply more genetically identical than any two people who aren't twins (at least until cloning humans is possible).
They also don't have identical prenatal environments. It's similar, of course, but not identical. And depending on the specifics of the prenatal setup, they may be competing for resources and get different amounts of them.
So, basically, this means that it'd make it easier to track down factors that might be relevant, since fewer vary. But it doesn't rule out genetically based causes. Or environmentally triggered genetically based causes.
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