Transgender Elementary Girl Wins Her Bathroom Rights
PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - A Colorado first-grader has won her right to use the girls' restroom at school. The Colorado Rights Division has sided with Eagleside Elementary student Coy Mathis allowing this transgender girl access to her appropriate restroom.
Mathis was born a boy, but her parents explain that she has always identified as a girl. Mother Kathryn Mathis comments how Coy always liked the color pink and has expressed interest in being "fixed" by a doctor. Coy's passport and state-issued identification acknowledge her as a female.
According to CNN, Mrs. Mathis was quoted in saying, "We're extremely happy that she's going to be treated equally and we thank the civil rights division for coming to this conclusion."
The Psychology of a Transgender Child
In December, the family received a letter from the Fountain-Fort Carson School District stating that they needed to consider the other students in the building, their parents and the future development of Coy's male genitals in deciding if she could share the girls' bathroom.
This is the first ruling of it's kind in the country. Since the proceedings began, Coy has been home schooled.
Chief of Clinical Psychology at UPMC, Shadyside, Dr. Paul Friday joined Mike Pintek to talk about his comments on the mentality of this girl. Dr. Friday was not speaking for UPMC.
Dr. Friday described this decision as a gender identity disorder, gender dysphoria. He describes that this can be primary where the person knows their different from the beginning. Or secondary dysphoria where they gain that sense later in life.
He has done many tests with patients before they've received a sex change and is very familiar with this disorder. In his opinion, Coy needs to be treated as a patient dealing with primary dysphoria, not parental projection and influence.
The Psychology of a Transgender Child
"I don't 'should' on people, too many government entities are 'should-ing' on us already," said Dr. Friday regarding what Pennsylvania should do on this same situation. "I think we need parents to be reasonable, think what would be good for their families and take this out of the court room and back in to the house."
Mike Pintek is live weekdays noon to 3 p.m. only on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA!
