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Subscribe to RSS11-year-old Josie Romero has been trying to break free from a nightmare that few children will ever know. Biologically born a boy, Josie is a transgender child who feels like a girl trapped in the wrong body. Hoda Kotb reports.
Also on Dateline, it’s the Hollywood story everyone’s been talking about: the breakup of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. According to insiders, there was a third player in this marriage – the Church of Scientology. Dateline takes you behind the scenes to find out what happened to “TomKat.”
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At 11 he should be having fun playing. Puberty isn't a issue yet so how could he even think about being a girl. Bull @!$%# stories like this one are just to dumb to take them serious. His parent or parents must be real stupid. How can he get past this while they are putting it before the world?
Let me guess, you did not have the aptitude to pass a 5th grade science class? Putting all that aside did you not notice that she [he] looks and acts like girl? Just as that fooled you, I am sure many things in life do the same and confuse the hell out of you to the point of self medication. Excuse my bluntness, but if there is one thing I find hard to tolerate is the ignorance in wanting to tell other people how they should live their lives based mostly on prehistoric preconceived notions.
I went through puberty at age 11 and that was before all the hormones in meat, milk, and drinking water.
This is just sick and shameful. There is not a thing wrong with being gay, however there is a huge catastrophic issue with allowing your child, because he or she is craving attention being spent on a newly adopted sibling,... who just so happens to be a girl, make a decision that he incapable of making. Put 2 and 2 together mom and be honest you've always wanted a daughter so you overly embraced this tendency to dress in girls clothes. Many gay men did this aswell but thank god there parents didn't offer them an alternative to bad behaviour. at 9 and 10 entertaining a conversation with your child about puberty being a hinderance is awful. You made this. He even said that he would be a man if his mother only asked. She replied " honey no". Which is safer drugging your kid up and easing him into a situation that gives him enough control and attention so that he isn't a bother? Or keeping him safe and trying to nurture the NATURAL side of him that doesn't involve surgery only a little parenting? Gay is all he MAY be. Letting the child do the rearing in this case and it is despicable.
Some kids start puberty as young as 9. I also started puberty at 11. In addition, when puberty starts doesn't make this family "stupid". They are sharing their story to help other transgender kids.
By age 6 I knew I was 100% should have been born a girl. Lucky for me that I had a older sister that was the same size as me. I started wearing her clothes with her advice. This helped me out for the longest of time, that is until puberty hit. It was bad enough when I was younger knowing that I should have been born a girl, then when I went through puberty I almost went nuts. Thank God, that my our mom helped me out a lot. With her help & my sister's I am slowly becomming a female. And, to you jerks that have never gone though any of this, butt out. When you have walked a 100 miles in my shoes, then you can give us transgender people advice.
What's wrong with you? You obviously have no children. I'm sorry, but at age 5 You know and you knew NOTHING! How in the hell do you think a 5 yr old can make a life altering decision. I see the mother of that little boy sure did a lot to discourage it, braiding his hair, letting him grow it long, piercing his ears, letting him dress how he wanted to. The problem is that there is a PARENT who needs to act like a PARENT, and realize this is a confused CHILD! How this story was done and CPS wasn't called is beyond me. Born a male, you are a male, stay a male until you are 18 then do what you want. Born a girl, stay a girl, until you are 18 then do what you want.
What's wrong with you? You obviously have no children. I'm sorry, but at age 5 You know and you knew NOTHING! How in the hell do you think a 5 yr old can make a life altering decision. I see the mother of that little boy sure did a lot to discourage it, braiding his hair, letting him grow it long, piercing his ears, letting him dress how he wanted to. The problem is that there is a PARENT who needs to act like a PARENT, and realize this is a confused CHILD! How this story was done and CPS wasn't called is beyond me. Born a male, you are a male, stay a male until you are 18 then do what you want. Born a girl, you are a girl, until you are 18 then do what you want.
Josie, I hope you realize how special your parents are. Your mom for helping you find your way and your dad allowing his transgender son to live like the girl she feels she is. My gay son came out to his dad at 15. He ands his stepmom tried to pray him straight. My son is now 38, recently married to the nicest man. My ex accepts him and his husband and all turned out fine. Whatever you decide you have your parents love and support. You are one lucky gal. Oh and beautiful, too! You go girl!
Headline make me think Tom Cruise was being exposed for a strange childhood too!
I knew I was the wrong gender by age 5. People who have no connections to this "world" are too quick to make staements about which they know nothing.
"I knew I was the wrong gender by age 5. People who have no connections to this "world" are too quick to make staements about which they know nothing."
What's wrong with you? You obviously have no children. I'm sorry, but at age 5 You know and you knew NOTHING! How in the hell do you think a 5 yr old can make a life altering decision. I see the mother of that little boy sure did a lot to discourage it, braiding his hair, letting him grow it long, piercing his ears, letting him dress how he wanted to. The problem is that there is a PARENT who needs to act like a PARENT, and realize this is a confused CHILD! How this story was done and CPS wasn't called is beyond me. Born a male, you are a male, stay a male until you are 18 then do what you want. Born a girl, stay a girl, until you are 18 then do what you want.
Colonol- I'm not transgender. But I've read more than one paragraph about transgendered people. It's common for them to realize somewhere in the ages of 3-6 that they were born in the wrong body. You're right, most 5 year olds wouldn't even be capable of having this idea, much less if it wasn't true! 5 year olds don't just think, I want attention, I'm gonna act like a girl/boy! And they don't keep it up for THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. I'm certainly not screaming at the top of my lungs for no reason anymore. Why? Because I'm not a child seeking attention. So if these kids are just "attention seekers" why don't they all grow out of it in a matter of weeks/months? Because they're not seeking attention, they're miserable in their own bodies. I liked boy clothes and toys when I was a kid, but the thought never crossed my mind that I should be a boy.
The parents who listen to their kids are being loving and supportive. The parents who don't listen to their transgendered children are the ones who end up having funerals for their deeply unhappy, suicidal kids.
Sapphia, I'm so glad you had such a great support system with your sister and mom. Best of luck to you!
just keep the experiment rolling...
Children should not be given medications to change their physiology as reflected by their gender.
you obviouslyl have no clue what it is to be transgender. Until youve been there; perhaps you should keep your opinions to yourself.
I am happy to see that Josie is getting help. Outwardly, she is obviously a girl in every way. She seems to have a great mother and an able doctor. I wish her the best and hope that informational shows such as this will help others with the problem and enlighten the public. If you would like to understand how difficult it is to make the transtion as an adult, watch Tom Wilkinson in the movie, "Normal".
This was me many years ago. I can relate to josie totally.Thank God she has the mother she has what a blessing. I wish them all the best. I've wanted surgery my entire life, but finances wouldn't allow. Thanks to FHT for a number of years I've gotten much outward physical appearance, but having early intervention will allieviate much depression and body hate. My mother was understanding to a point. I also was always girl-like. I was told when I was two years, clearly well before i knew anything about gender my great grandmothe told my mother her granddaughter I was a little girl. I would pray so hard to be discovered I reall y was a gilr. If prayer could hve changed me I would be. But I am appreciative of what i have as a chemical female as one doctor called me. Thanks for sharing and God Bless.
Josie, you go girl! You are a beautiful GIRL! Embrace it! God bless you! When I saw your story I was so moved. You are so pretty! And such a lovely little girl! Your parents should be so proud to have a daughter like you! You are very brave. Embrace your gender and love yourself. Honey you just keep your chin up and grow up just the way you are. Your story has touched us. Thank you and your momma for sharing.
Love your post and your support. As the mother of a 15 year old transgendered child, I am thankful every day that he knew so young in life he was born in the wrong body. Every single day brings a new challenge, but I find comfort in knowing that he is confident in who he is and will not have the pain of transitioning as an adult. As for the haters and non-believers out there, ignorance is bliss and I hope they never have a child that in some way, society views as "different", as my heart would ache for that child.
Bless you for being such a loving and supportive parent, your child will always know who they are and no one can take that away from them. Good luck in your journey and thank you for help opening peoples minds that we are all different and that too is a blessing:)
undoubtedly there are situations that this is truly who the individual is. This mother sets out bad vibes, that sort of indicate she wanted a girl, hence why they adopted one.
Bad vibes? Wow; amazing how a few "vibes" can change the entire psyche of a small child. Kids know more about themselves than you think... even when they're that young.
This child will grow up mentally distressed, because these parents have no responsibility as parents. They should not be allowed to have children adopted or natural. Teach your child in the way they should grow. Be the parent for GOD sake. Lead them and teach them.
Be a parent- love and support them.
And if you DO distress the child by telling them that what they feel is wrong; you can start planning the funeral now.
Your expose on the Church of Scientology just proved what everyone outside of Hollywood and the media have known forever. Scientology is a weird cult with weird members who are damn lucky that any of us support their weird movies!
Really, Viva- Scientology is any weirder a cult than fundamental Christianity? I guess it's weirder to believe in extraterrestrials than Virgin births, resurrections and ascensions... Maybe they just happen to be better at storytelling than Congress or King James.
Know your subject, Viva-
I feel sorry for the husband. He leads a military life and his wife, whom appears to be gay, is transferring her suppressed emotions on to her children. Yes, your son may be gay but I am not sure if he wants to be a woman. A lot of suppressed emotion can cause an individual to do later-regrettable actions. The son seems to just want to please his mother with his actions. Does she have a daughter? This also may be something subconsciously driven. Much love!
These people have no business having children in their care. Step up and be a parent, this child is obviously acting out and needs guidance. not medications.
These people should not be allowed to be parents, another case of the child running the house. Step up and be a true parent by guiding these children and disciplining when needed.
This child is beautiful as HERSELF. There are billions of people in this world and some will feel down to their bones, FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIFE that they were born the wrong gender. Stop being afraid, they arent hurting you, she is dressing the way she feels is right. God has blessed this lucky little girl with wonderful parents who took the hard, but TRUE road for their child. She is giving hope to other children, who have UNSUPPORTIVE parents who WONT LET THEIR CHILDREN BE WHO THEY ARE. This child is an inspiration to all of us to be our best and truest selves.
I think that Josie's Mother is amazing and supportive. I think that in many ways this world is still set in the 1900s and we look at things so wrongly. I am glad that this little girl is getting the treatment to become a young lady. Congrats on the doctors to help her.
I support this family and their courage to tell their story, especially, knowing there would be ignorant people that refuse to learn and instead spout off things they know nothing about. Josie and other kids like her need to just be happy, healthy kids. Didn't anyone hear this mom say that NONE of the 17 different meds this child was given before when "he" was so depressed and hurting as a young person. Letting her be herself has made her flourish into the beautiful girl she is today.
This miserable excuse for a mother is demented. Her poor son should be removed from her custody immediately. Any doctor who would aid such a crime should lose their medical license and spend years in jail.
What parent in their right mind is going to let a child make a decision like this?
What happens when Josie falls in love with a girl when she gets older? Will she be a lesbian then?
My heart breaks for this little girl. Thank God she has a mother who understands and supports and loves her. Puberty DOES start ealier now. I have two teenagers. Adolescence is hard enough, without the added stress of being "different". God bless her.
Her mother is past the point of being ok with her son living as a girl. she is completely into the fact that she can have a well behaved daughter over a misguided ill behaving son. Yeah puberty starts earlier these days.. I guess, but you can't tell me at age 9 you were or would delve into conversations that are years outside the capacity of a childs knowledge, and could be really damaging if that seeds planted and nurtured like it has been here. You see your son in women's clothing more then a few times , you don't say hmmm, he's really behaving like this , Jo if you want to be a girl mommy would be fine with that. you'd want to deter that behaviour as much as possible and once they reach an age of some sort of mental consent, after puberty is well on its way, they can decide if thats them. This poor boy has blockers in! disgusted to say the least, and he will have huge resentment towards his mother when he realizes how badly he's compromised his own well being. I say own because there isn't a shred of logical guidance in his life.
I personally see the other side... the parents recognize the issue; and have chosen to love and support their child. The child will most likely grow up and be appreciative of what has been given. Having been given nothing but resistance and teachings of my "evil doings" all of my life; I feel resentment toward my family NOW... Life could have been a lot easier with a little bit of acceptance, love and support.