Tag Archives: Transgender Children

BBC’s Groundbreaking Documentary About a Transgender Teen Picks Up Bafta

The BBC’s groundbreaking documentary about a transgender teenage has picked up a BAFTA this week.

Leo21

Titled I Am Leo, the documentary followed Leo, a 13-year-old boy, as he told his story, and how he encountered bullying from people who could not accept who he is.

Born a female, Leo has lived as a boy since the age of 5, and legally changed his name when he was 11.

The film is set across seven months, following Leo and his family as he undergoes hormone therapy, meeting other trans kids, and eagerly waiting for a new passport that confirms his real identity to the world.

The documentary aired last year, on on the BBC’s childrens’ channel CBBC, which is targeted towards an audience of 6 to 12 year olds.

This week it picked up a prize at the British Academy Children’s Awards in the Factual category.

On the award Leo said:

“I want to thank everyone who nominated I Am Leo for this award, and everyone involved in making it a success.

I’m really proud to have been given the opportunity to make so many people proud by telling my story, and being able to tell it in my way.

I would like to say a massive thank you to Nine Lives Media, and especially to Cat [Lewis] for giving me the opportunity.

To [Phil Niland and Lyndsay Rowan], who I spent much time with, for their support and encouragement, and keeping me motivated throughout the months of filming.

I would like to thank my mum for believing in me, staying positive, and being beside me throughout my journey.”

The now-teenage Leo added that sharing his story has helped many others – with a lot of young trans people contacting him for guidance.

Watch | A Trans Teen’s Powerful Speech To His Classmates About His Transition

Tom-Sosnik-02Moved by the recent death of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn, 13-year-old Tom Sosnik of Fresno, California stood before his classmates earlier this month to announce that he is transgender.

“I am no longer ‘Mia.’ I never really was. And now I finally stand before you in my true and authentic gender identity as Tom. I stand before you as a 13-year-old boy.”

Tom Sosnik

 

Tom also told classmates that if any of them were struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity, he was there for them.

He then added; ‘I went through a series of horrible breakdowns. And I would stand under the water in the shower crying. I knew I wasn’t happy. He also took some time to let other students know if they were struggling with their sexual identity or orientation, he was there for them.

“I want you to know that if no one else accepts you, I always will.”

Tom Sosnik

BBC’s Childrens Channel to Show Key Documentary About a Trans Teen

The BBC plans to air a documentary about a transgender teen on one of it children’s TV channel next week.

Titled ‘My Life: My Name Is Leo’, the TV programme will follow Leo, a 13-year-old boy, telling his story, and how he encountered bullying from people who could not accept who he is.

The film is set across seven months, following Leo and his family as he undergoes hormone therapy, meeting other trans kids, and eagerly waiting for a new passport that confirms his real identity to the world.

Executive producers, Kez Margrie told BBC’s in house magazine Ariel.

‘I had wanted to do a story on a transgender child for a while, because I know there are kids out there having a tough time. But up to now, we hadn’t found the right story to tell, and we trusted Nine Lives Media to tell this one sensitively. It feels very much like his journey and story, as told by him.’

Kez Margrie, Executive Producer

[tweet_dis]’The great thing about making documentaries like this for children is that they’re not born with prejudices.'[/tweet_dis]

Cat Lewis, Executive Producer

My Life: I Am Leo will be broadcast as part of CBBC’s anti-bullying week on 17 November at 6pm.

Why It’s Important To Respect a Child’s Preferred Gender

This an important documentary to watch. By Barbara Walters, the film explores what it means to be a transgendered child.

Looking into the lives of three families that made the decision to love their kids and help them through a world that’s not (yet) designed for them, Walters interviews doctors as they explain the importance of using correct pronouns; and the families themselves as they explain what it’s like to really love their transgender children.
Powerful and moving watching.

20/20 – A Story of Transgender Children