Gee. We’re so lucky to have Four Corners (and shows like The 7.30 Report and Compass too. Australian Story, even. I could go on).
In these times of crappy, click-baity journalism it’s such a relief to see well researched, fact-checked, intelligently presented stories on our screens. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I do like finding out about people’s amazing bums or odd things they got stuck in the plughole or lip-smacking strange obsessions. But more often then not, I’d rather find out about things that are more important than those. Just to be clear.
Last night, Four Corners told the story of three transgender people in a reassuringly factual and sensitive way. It was compelling viewing. A child, a teenager and a grown-up all relayed their experience of being in the ‘wrong’ body, detailing how profoundly this affected them and sharing their hopes for the future.
It really was the best thing I’ve watched in so long.
I really admired the three who let us in on how it feels to be transgender. It was great to hear them, their doctors, teachers and family members discuss the way through and what the future might look like for the subjects of the show.
If you watched I am sure you probably felt pretty sad to hear the difficult stuff these people had to navigate too. Gawd. People are shit sometimes. Ugh. Luckily the people profiled in the show exemplified how totally non-shit and completely outstanding humans can be, in contrast to the bullies/bigots/not-quite-ready-for-this types. Faith restored.
So thanks, Four Corners (and excellent shows of its ilk) for talking about the things we really need to know about. It provides such a heartening alternative to the crazy tsunami of digital crapola we are faced with each day.
So glad to learn more about life and people from Isabelle, Jamie and the excellent singing dude.
(Did you watch this show?)
x Pip
I agree. I was captured by this program. Isabelle was such a mature and intelligent little girl; how could anyone deny her her rights. How lucky is she to have been born into such an amazing family. Congratulations Four Corners. Another great piece of journalism.
So interesting to watch. Isabelle and her family were really inspiring. I’m amazed she wrote a letter to her whole school explaining her transgender issue! Good on her. 🙂
I so agree Pip! I went to Uni with Isabelle’s Dad (he was always a decent guy – wasn’t that just so obvious in the program?), and it was amazing to see his wonderful and loving family, the way they and their community support eachother. It gives me such a lovely buzz to know that can happen. And those girls, they will change the world for sure.
Hey Pip, thanks for the heads up! A really wonderful program.
It’s pretty special, right? x
It was uplifting and heartbreaking all at once. Isabella was so articulate and courageous and had a strong sense of identity at such a young age. And her parents were just wonderful, supportive beyond belief. I was moved and want everyone to watch it. Thanks for writing about this.
Am living in NZ oh how I miss the ABC!!!!! with all its great programs love love four corners this sounds like a great story will have to try and hunt it down online thanks for sharing 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful story. I feel privileged that I was able to listen to these stories. And these are the quality shows the Abbott government want to shut down. I find every time I watch a doco on the ABC it makes me a better, more empathetic person. Now if only more mainstream Aussies watched the ABC or SBS rather than the drivel on commercial stations, we might stand a chance of becoming a more compassionate society.
What a wonderful and inspirational story. Isabelle displays such maturity and strength …. A credit to her loving and supportive family!
Friends we know through school have a transgender child in my middle kid’s class who came out about a year ago. I would have to say that the response of the entire school community – kids, parents teachers has been nothing short of lower lip-wobblingly wonderful. Simply put, everyone is allowed to be the best they can be. Faith restored!
It was fantastic! What amazing people they are.
Watched it. Love it. It moved me and stayed with me all night. Felt so thankful that the families shared their stories!
🙂 xxx