Puppets For Progress

In today’s world there are many diverse television programs, especially for young children. From Sesame Street to the Teletubbies to Happy Tree Friends, kids can indulge in their favorite shows while simultaneously learning from them. The newest addition to this mind-molding is a Canadian web series dedicated to informing children about real issues. But, what seems to be making the biggest stink is the two part episode about a transgender puppet.

“Julia” is a puppet who was assigned female at birth. “She” has gone through life feeling as if “she” was in the wrong body. Thus, “Julien” emerges along with a shortened hairdo, a new boyish outfit, and the appropriate pronouns. Julien is happy that he can finally be himself and his human companion, Alex, is just as happy for him. There then comes the conflict of bullying but because of Julien’s support and newly found confidence, he is able to overcome it and seems to live “happily ever after”.

The target audience for this web series is, of course, children who are questioning their gender identity or interacting with those who do. Jasmin Roy, the founder of the progressive organization responsible, believes that it is just what upcoming generations need. She says, "we need to develop emotional and social skills for educators, parents and other children who are around those children exploring their gender or expression”. She also believes this show will help educators with transgender students. She goes on to say, “Now, every time you have a child in your community who's dealing with that reality, you'll have a tool to help you”.

Many critics see this show as some lunacy made to brainwash our younglings into delusional “freaks”. There are countless articles condemning the organization as a whole. Another way to look at it is to see how wonderful it would be to grow up with shows such as this.

Not only is this great for transgender youth, which

indeed would decrease the overall feeling of being alone with their problems, but for all children. If kids are exposed to these realities, the social norm of viewing transgenderism as wrong or “just a phase” would eventually diminish. Experiencing accepting media will make people in general more accepting, whether it be gradually or not.

For more information and possible donations see Jasmine Roy Sophie Desmarais Foundation website