Justice For Lily and A Twist Ending

Current mood:

optimistic

“Children are wide open to change – it’s the fear in the parent’s not in the children”. – Lily McBeth

An interesting story I thought I’d share with you all tonight. As I started relaxing after another session of packing up to move, I crawled into bed and turned on the local news. I admit I’m not a big fan of the news, but I do watch once in a while. A local news story caught my eye.

It’s a controversial story…or so they say. A story about a teacher named Lily McBeth – she was once known by her student’s as Mr. McBeth. Lily underwent a sex change operation last spring and currently wants to return to teaching. I watched as some fearful parents talked about how they don’t want their children to be taught by Lily. They fear that the children could get confused or might not understand why Mr. McBeth is now Ms. McBeth. Several parents placed complaints about Lily returning to teaching – and tonight after a couple hours of debate – Lily came out on top – the board took no action and will allow her to return to teaching once again (she taught there for 5 years prior to the sex change).

The thing that bothered me the most while watching the story unfold was the parents’ reactions to Lily and the fear in their voices as they talked about not wanting their children to be taught by her, but Lily said it herself, she poses no threat to the children. Several students and transgendered people spoke in Lily’s defense.

I got a little steamed watching the news story. It really bothers me when I see close minded people like those parents. And the most interesting thing about the story (for me personally) was yet to come.

They didn’t name Lily until the end of the segment – and at that point they also showed Lily on camera and it was then that I realized, I know this person. She is a cousin of my father’s side of the family. I had last seen Lily in July of 2004 at my family’s annual 4th of July party, prior to her sex change. It kind of caught me off guard when I realized I knew her, but then I started getting even more pissed off at these parents for protesting against her.

I was very glad to hear that she will be allowed to teach and that those close minded people obtained nothing in their protest against her besides some news coverage on the story and a blog inspiration for me.

You can’t stop change people, but if you are afraid, change will stop you.

Here’s a link to the news story.

Currently listening:
The Colour and the Shape
By Foo Fighters
Release date: 07 October, 2003

Colleen

hahaha as soon as i read your bulletin and opened the blog and saw lily i knew who it was!! when i was home over christmas i was reading moms christmas cards and there was one that said “Love Lily” i was like who the heck is lily mom. and she told me. i totally forgot that she had that done till then. its funny how you just happen across stuff like that. you should send my mom and aunt connie the link, if you didnt already.

Posted by Colleen on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 1:16 AM
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Colleen

just kidding…i just got this from my mom. its not just on your local news. was on action 6 news back home too…..

from another news station

Posted by Colleen on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 1:32 AM
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SiNE

yeah i saw that on the news, whacked shit if you ask me but not to surprised at the ignorance of the people. i guess its not really ignorance more like lack of knowledge? same thing i guess.

Posted by SiNE on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 1:55 AM
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Iris

My husband’s, father’s, co-worker had a sex change. She was born a “He.” She kept her original job of car repair person at a local luxury-car vendor. One time our car broke down and we called my hubby’s dad, since he has many friends in the car-repair business.

Hubby’s dad sent his co-worker, who was now very much a woman after her change. She arrived driving the company van, dressed in her mechanic’s uniform. She had her hair pulled back in a pony tail and lipgloss. At first glance, it was hard to take her masculine/feminine appearance, without making it obvious that it was an uncomfortable sight.

As she approached us, she was very humble when she greeted us. With a soft voice, she said “hello” and was quick to start making the repairs. I tried making small talk with her but the whole time, I felt like she was trying to stay out of our way as to not make us uncomfortable. Also, I felt like she was just there to do her job and not to chit chat. After she was done, we offered her a bit of money and she smiled and said it was no charge, then quickly left.

We commented to hubby’s dad that she did a great job, she was fast and very sweet. He mentioned to us that she has been going through some very emotional times, since her wife has disowned and left her along with their college sons who want nothing to do with her. He said to us that she is often alone, very, quiet and keeps to herself. My heart just broke.

There is no real point to my story except that I share the feeling of sadness towards people that can’t see past superficial things. And to have to bear all that she is going through is tough no matter what physical changes she has made to herself. Afterall is said and done, she is still human with genuine emotions

Posted by Iris on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 1:58 AM
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TrayCee

I dont like to watch the news either BUT its wierd how when u do it was sumone u knew…. let alone related to…… but i agree with the quote “Children are wide open to change – it’s the fear in the parent’s not in the children”.

I mean I totally agree. I have a tendency to not let Melanie do thigns she wants to do bc of fear. but thats another story lol.

anyways, I dunno what the difference is in teaching if there is a sex change or not… if u taught there for 5 yrs u obviously know what ur doing so why would it matter if someone had a sex change???? as long as they continue to do thier job i wouldnt care…..

but im deff not shocked at the reaction from parents….. esp when it comes to schools/teachers…. matter of fact i have an issue with Melanie’s teacher now…. but nothing like this…. this is an issue about her being a shitty teacher .. as long as a teacher is good i dont care if they were a he or a she lol just asl ong as my kid got the right education.

Posted by TrayCee on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 8:31 AM
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Captain/ Heather

Heather Dahlquist

I agree that there are too many close-minded people. That is something I have always thought and stress to my friends. I also am teaching my children to be open-minded to everything. People who are close-minded spend thier lives fearing things that could possibly be something great!

Posted by Captain/ Heather on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 2:32 PM
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Dale Pantalione

I saw this too. I think it’s fucked up how we are raised in society to be shaped and molded into what others want us to be that when it comes to who we are deep inside and what we feel it is often to others criticism. I think that Lily poses no threat, and she should still be able to do her job. She hasn’t harmed anyone, no differently than how some people in society do, and I think that Lily is brave for her decisions that she has made, because let’s face it, that is a big decision to make any sort of physical change. But for some reason I think that emotionally she has more to offer than the parents do, and thats important too, before any one undergoes surgery like that.

Posted by Dale Pantalione on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 3:14 PM
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Katy

Katy Reiser

Interesting how all the people quoted as being against Lily’s return to substitute teaching were men. I’m sure there are women in opposition too, but none that were interviewed for that article at least. Maybe men are more often threatened by the idea of a man becoming a woman. More likely most people just can’t stand when things go against the norm because then they have to try and understand it, which people don’t generally want to put out the effort to do for many things. Still, it’s a shame that people can’t look beyond their own circumstances and vantage points to try to see things a bit differently.

Posted by Katy on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 – 4:16 PM
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Charley