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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