You Are What You're Born In Texas - Media Oppression of Transgender People

July 26, 2010 - PRLog -- Might parents, schools and others be less inclined to be supportive of transgender children and youth as a result of being influenced by these stereotypical and demeaning images?

Leading transgender youth advocacy organization, TransActive Education & Advocacy has released a short video entitled "You Are What You're Born... in Texas". The video examines and exposes the negative cumulative effect that oppressive and exploitative media representations have on all transgender people, especially children and youth.

See video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPKNlQLCSKc



Juxtaposing research statistics on the damage that can be done to transgender children and youth with imagery from both news outlets and entertainment programs, "You Are What You're Born... in Texas" demonstrates how trans people are the object of derision, violence, dehumanization and oppression by not only the culture at large, but the mass media.

The video features a powerful segment on the invasive media coverage of  Mrs. Nikki Araguz, the widow of a fallen firefighter who is in a court battle for not only her deceased husband's death benefits, but for the very validity of their marriage.

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TransActive is a diverse and motivated non-profit organization, working to provide transgender children and youth a present and future in which they can achieve their dreams and express their individuality.

Based in Portland, Oregon, TransActive offers client services that include counseling, case management and peer group activities to transgender children, youth and their families.