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My Turn

Bob the school bus driver is a parent, too

Stephanie A. Haas


Ed. Note: This is a letter to the editor of a newspaper that has been covering the story of Trish Franklin, an MTF school bus driver who has become the subject of controversy because some parents do not like the fact that she is a transsexual. Trish's story was recently the subject of an "Inside Edition" television broadcast. The town of Selinsgrove, Pa. is in the central part of the state, 50 miles north of Harrisburg.


The Daily Item (PA)

Sunday, November 9, 1997

I's like to respond to the letter written by Ms. Wall of Selinsgrove. The debate about Trish the bus driver seems endless, but I hope you have patience for one more point of view.

Ms. Wall's letter is very indicative of why the issue has raised such fear in our community. Little or no attempt has been made to understand the mechanics of Trish's situation before passing judgement.

Trish is currently in the care of a psychiatrist, a certified medical doctor. This doctor's duty is to restore well-being and equalibrium to patients. This doctor believes Trish's mental health is best served by making a biological, medical transition from male to female.

Prior to his therapy, "Bob" was an unhappy male who suppressed his feelings to the point of deep depression. Under a doctor's care, "Trish" has begun to find a sense of balance that was not formerly present.

I expect many people are disappointed to learn that the doctor has not opted to make him "normal". Perhaps these people would also find it more desirable to be suicidal than to be different.

Ms. Wall asserts that Trish is a threat to the common good. Perhaps she's confused "common good" with "status quo". Many people say Trish is a threat, but they have yet to quantify how one person's transexuality threatens a town full of children. Drugs threaten a child's health. Promiscuity brings the threat of pregnancy or disease.

What threat does Trish pose? Does her lipstick make her more likely to crash into a wall? Or will she inspire your child to be -gasp!- different?

I have news for the parents of Selinsgrove. Your children are exposed daily to forces far more sinister than a man in women's clothing. I, myself, was offered drugs before I was ten years old. It's a sad state of affairs, but even in a quiet town like ours, no child is too young to be confronted with serious issues.

Your responsibility as a parent is not to insulate your child from reality, but to teach them how to maneuver through it successfully. If your child is so easily damaged by a man wearing eyeshadow, imagine the problems they'll encounter when a friend offers them drugs or encourages them to commit crimes like vandalism or petty theft.

I wonder if those parents who fear for their children are aware that Trish is a parent as well. I am Trish's daughter. This transition that my father is making is odd, but I am upset far more by the small-town witch hunt that has followed his decision. I can accept his decision because I've seen a person who was grumpy and irritable become happy and relaxed.

His morality has never changed. He still believes in the same values he taught me as a child. He taught me to respect others, to be kind, to stand up for my beliefs no matter what. He taught me that I have the freedom to make my own choices, along with the responsibility to stand accountable for the consequences. Amid all the name-calling and hysteria, it seems that many of our normal, "moral" residents have yet to learn these basic, fundemental lessons.

I would encourage every concerned parent to go to a library, or a doctor, and learn about Gender Identity Disorder. No matter what your opinion is about Trish, knowlege is power. Understanding this condition will help you deal with the situation more effectively. Denigrating something that you do not understand is not "morality". It isn't "righteous indignation". It is fear.

Stephanie A. Haas lives in Selinsgrove.

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