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HIGHLANDS RANCH – The issue of being transgender usually pops up with students in high school. However, a 2nd grade biological boy wants to dress as a girl and be addressed with a girl's name.


"As a public school system, our calling is to educate all kids no matter where they come from, what their background is, beliefs, values, it doesn't matter," said Whei Wong, Douglas County Schools spokesperson.

Wong says the staff at one of Douglas County's schools is preparing to accommodate the student and answer questions other students might have. In order to protect the child as much as possible, 9NEWS has chosen not to reveal his school or other names that might identify the child.

"I see this as being a very difficult situation to explain to my daughter to explain why someone would not want to be the gender they were born with," said Dave M.

His daughter will be in the same class as the student.

The student had attended this same school in years prior, but had left to go to classes in another district for about two years. The transgender student will be returning to what is the child's home school. Dave M. thinks classmates will recognize the change.

"I do think that there's going to be an acknowledgement that 'Why are you in a dress this year when you were in pants last year?'" said Dave M.

Wong says teachers are planning to address the student by name instead of using he or she. The child will not use the regular boys or girls bathroom. Instead, two unisex bathrooms in the building will be made available. The school is handing out packets to parents who have questions. The packets contain information about people who are transgender.

"I think it is unusual," said Wong. "It's something we haven't had discussions about before. It's something that we haven't maybe really had to think about before, but now we will."

Family Therapist Larry Curry hopes the child and the child's parents are seeing a counselor just to be safe.

"I am very concerned because with the guidelines in place, this is a very early age," said Curry. "I don't know too many parents who are equipped to answer that kind of question or deal with it without some other support."

Kim Pearson says the family is getting support. She is the executive director of a national organization called TransYouth Family Advocates. The group has been working with the family and Douglas County Schools.

"Initially there was a lot of resistance," said Pearson. "Now, their position is they want this child to be safe in their school."

Pearson says their group is working with an increasing number of families nationwide who have elementary age transgender kids.

"We know that families are more comfortable talking about this," she said. "There was no place for parents to go."



CONTINUED:

Pearson says children as young as 5 years old are realizing their true gender identity and her group wants to help parents who may be resisting the acceptance of this.

"Parents are likely to think this it's a phase, but how long do phases last?" said Pearson. "With these kids, it's something that's very consistent."

That thought is not comforting to Dave M., who believes his daughter is not ready to think about the issue of being transgender.

"I don't think a (2nd) grader does have the rationale to decide this life-altering choice," said Dave M.

He is also unhappy with the way the school is handling this. The district has been preparing for the child's return to this school for months. Dave M. thinks other parents should have been made aware of this sooner.

"I just find it ironic that they can dictate the dress style of children to make sure they don't wear inappropriate clothing, but they have no controls in place for someone wearing transgender clothing," said Dave M.

Curry says parents like Dave M. should not bring the issue up to their students until they ask. However, he says parents should be ready to answer tough questions from the student's fellow third graders.

"I think reassuring them and letting them know that they'll be alright. Their classmate is alright," said Curry. "This is something their classmate has chosen to do. It is not contagious."

Pearson says the most important thing is to make sure the transgender student does not become the target of bullying or verbal abuse which can lead to suicide.

"These children are at high-risk," said Pearson. "Our number one goal is to keep kids safe."

Wong says mental health professionals will be available if students, staff, or parents have any concerns at all. She says the district views this as just another diversity issue and hopes everyone can accept and respect the student's wishes.

"Our staff has been briefed and trained to look for concerns," said Wong.

The family of the transgender student did not want to comment.

I think this is TOTALLY ridiculous! It sounds more to me like the parents want a daughter and are trying to make one out of their son.

Correction.....This is a second grader we are talking about..that even makes it more unbelievable.

How old are 2 graders

About 7 years old

Thats a little young to define this sort of thing my niece always wanted to be a boy at that age she used to stick a sock down her trousers to pretend she was a boy. She out grew it . And no i am not saying everyone grows out this i just think you have to be sure and i don't think a child of that age can.

I think what you are referring to would be a natural and innocent thing for a curious child to do.

It sounds more like in this case is that the parents are trying to force an agenda on their own child as well as other people's children. Children of this age group do not need to be thinking about their sexuality anyway...let them be kids!! I think the parents should just send the kid in proper attire and if they want the kid to wear a dress they can do that at home. If it were my child in that school I would be raising holy hell for bringing a subject like that up at such a tender age.

Having quite a few transgendered friends, I've learned a few things about them.
First, it's very common for a transgendered baby to be taken directly to surgery to have a sexual surgery performed. There is no way to tell if the chosen gender is appropriate for the child's future mindset so the surgery is completely random. It can only be guessed based on visual factors at the time of the surgery(which may happen as soon as 2 weeks after birth). Many of these "boys" or "girls" grow up with internal conflicts about their gender & endure many years of social issues as a result of their gender being determined incorrectly.
When a child is given a chance to grow into their identity (which only begins to evolve after the approximate age of 3+), they can show preferences that may help in determining a gender for them to adhere to. The problem is, as a modern society, we've decided for them. We've been told there's boys & there's girls... now we have "them". Oddly, transgendered persons have always been around. There are many cultures which held their transgendered members in high respect. The native American Indians were known for revering theirs in a Shaman status. Now we've turned them into freak show oddities.

It's a shame to see how this possible mutation has become such a socially destructive element. There are even crime studies that show 60+% of transgendered adults end up in jail. 60 minutes has even done specials about the jail systems & it's transgendered inmates. Sadly, even they are isolated & misunderstood.

These are people. They have a slightly different biological evolution & science does not fully understand why yet. If this were as simple as colourblindness, we would make allowances with little concern but being as this pertains to sexual identity, it triggers uproar & insecurities. This is a subject people should NOT be afraid to discuss with their children. It's very simple, tell the children the truth, as always. The only ones who have a hard time with this are the adults.

*plink plink... my 2 cents...

I quite agree why can't the child be dressed in unisex clothing now need for that child to decide what gender it wants to be far to early.

Would depend on if actually transgender or just crossdressing?

But there is no way such a small child can decide to be other than what they actually are.

I saw a program about transgenda children

And in the program many had surgery after birth most were unhappy about the gender choose for them. There was one teenager who was untouched and he/she was thinking about becoming female. And was the most adjusted of all the youngest shown. I think surgery should be left until their are teenagers and can decide for them selves what gender they are.

Exactly.

That is my point. It seems as though the parents are deciding for this child. I don't think it is appropriate in a setting with children at such a tender age. These children should be thinking about being children and not issues like these, they haven't even reached puberty yet. I think if the child wants to cross dress he should do it at home and not in a school environment.

I have only known of one such child ... he was at school with my son and as early as around 5-7 years old used to wear dresses and girls clothes at home by choice although his twin brother did not - my son and their friends knew about it and just accepted it as "the way he was" ...

Exactly!

They already have a plan in this school to isolate the child and labeled "different" by having him use a separate bathroom and such.

They make counseling available to the other children and their parents and staff...what about getting some counseling for the parents of this child?

Ever since I was 12, I wanted to be an amoeba, but people just laughed at me. I feel so misunderstood.

and now look at you!..

I'm so glad I homeschool my child.