I think that Tyra means well in her attempt to help "Isis". She has already given her a wonderful opportunity on America's Next Top Model. But I really believe this will come back to haunt Tyra in some form or fashion.

This is a life altering decision that Isis/ Darrell should do all by him/herself. Many Transgenders have all had the same story of feeling trapped in the wrong body, but there have also been some of those same individuals, who, once they had the surgery done, have regretted and are living in utter despair because of their decision to have their male organs removed.
With that said, Isis may have a wonderul experience with this surgery, but what if she doesn't, than will Tyra and her show want the press and guilt behind paying for such a life altering procedure that went wrong or that Isis may have a change of heart "after" the fact.
I believe Tyra should stay out of it and let Isis get this done by herself so that if regret comes later, it will only be Isis herself that she can fault.

Tyra keeps surprising me with her awesomeness. Guess it shouldn't be a surprise anymore!

Tamika, I think Isis would be the expert on what is right for her. She's not an idiot. Many trans women that feel the need for surgery never get the money to pay for it. She's a lucky (and talented) woman.

It is not necessary to use her birth name in the story. That is incredibly disrespectful. She has worked very hard to put a painful past behind her and BAM you splash her birth name up there for everyone to see. Completely un-necessary! It is enough to say she was born transsexual/transgender and she transitioned. Please try to remember this in future stories.

xrk9854,

It was not my intention to be disrespectful of Isis. Putting her birth name in the article is part of my job as a reporter. It's my job to give all the facts. Her birth name is a fact. It was only mentioned once. She's from the area. People know her. She's told reporters her birth name in interviews. Those are the facts.

I completely agree with xrk9854. It is not your duty to offer her birth name. Like it isn't your duty to tell other details that is irrelevant for the story.

It only bring negative associations.

Here is something from youtube that explains it well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOjeZnjKlp0

Yes, Calpernia isn't too gentle in her clip there, but you get the point I hope.

However otherwise, thanks for the article.

PS: I see it is a transcript from US Magazine, so I can understand the reporters angle, but it is still a thing that make it difficult because of the lacking awareness and bad behaviour many got around such issues like transgenderism/transgenders (++).

Take care

-Nina V

Well Isis should just wait for Obama to give her/him/it a sex change...

After all....we are all going to be wealthy b/c he is in office!!!

*rolls eyes*

dlbbthesongwriter says,sexual orientation is a gift from God where there is confusion there is also a solution.What God made naturally should never be altered by man unnaturally.Isis is who Isis is Tyra
accept him as who he is and look to Father God for the answer to this matter,because he makes no mistakes.Ask me more.DexterBowens

It's not about who gets blamed after it happens. This is something Isis really wants. Tyra is going to give it to her. It doesn't mean that just because alot of people regretted that she will. She appeared on top model, didnt she? and even before she became a contestant. To me, when i saw her i though she was a female with a strange voice. but it's their decision so leave them to it.

if dats wat u want go head gurl my dream iz 2 b a model 2 so am going 2 keep my head just like u did.

I agree that it's considered highly negative to put up her birth name, and I understand that you're a reporter and just telling it how it is, but people who have transitioned will almost unanimously tell you that it hurts them when people find out their birth name. Just a thought.

Also, at those who said that many trans individuals regret surgery after they receive it, this is largely a stereotype. Sadly, it's the people who struggle with "passing" or who have regrets and a disaster story that make the mainstream media. Not the vast majority who simply go on to have normal, happy, and successful lives and careers. It sounds like the money is her obstacle; if it was within her means I'm sure she would have taken care of it by now. 20, 30, 40 years (no matter how old you are) feeling this way is more than you need to sort it out. You just know.

i think isis is a wonderful person i wanted her to win ur a pretty.pretty. girl and go wat ever ur heart say i wish u all the luck in the world like they say get`em girl

what the hell does obama have to deal with this? yes, he is going to be president, deal with it. you dont have to bring it up in something completely different. retard

I can very much identify with Isis. However, I think telling a reporter not to report her birthname is a little over the top. We are not in a social setting with Isis, where one would hope common sense would prevail and we would address Isis as the beautiful women she stands before us as today. Her birth name is a part of her, and a healthy way of transitioning is simply to embrace that fact. What I find so pejoritive is the pronouns "he/she/it" etc, that is very, very disrespectful. Isis, today right-now, at this moment in time is identifying as female, we should all treat her as such.

Tyra,dlbbthesongwriter again.Concerning the matter of you supplying Isis with the means to change his sexual orientation by surgery.I'm giving you my christian opinion about this matter.Isis looks like a woman by choice(maybe)Isis acts like a woman choice(maybe),Isis becomes a woman Tyra"s choice(maybe).Tyra play God or play a God fearing christian your choice (Luv Ya).Ask me more Dexter Bowens.

Tyra,dlbbthesongwriter again.I think that all major decisions that people make in their lives or in other people"s lives should be made based on the word of God.That is my christian opinion.After reading the Holy Bible from beginning to end I found that all problems facing mankind or womankind has a solution based on biblical principles, concepts,precepts and commandments.Our democratic society is built upon the principle of freedom of choice.This is the first free action that Father God gave Adam and Eve in the garden,so we must be wise in making our choices because the consequensces can be devastating.Ask me more (Luv Ya) Dexter Bowens.

Tyra,dlbbthesongwriter again.I'm a song writer I have three of my originald songs on You Tube.I write about the LORD.LIFE,and LOVE.I have approx.200 more songs to place on the air for people to examine,but I don't have the money to copyright all of them. Maybe you can fund my music for the world project,promoting songs about the LORD,LIFE,and LOVE.Do you think that would be a good choice ( EXAMINE.)dexterbowens@ymail.com (Luv Ya) Dexter Bowens

Tyra,dlbbthesongwriter again,previously I told you that there is a biblical solution to all prblems and obstacles that may confront us during the course of our lives no matter what.I think that if you gave Marylander Isis the opportunity to earn the money that he needed in order to have this surgery performed that would be better.Plus inform him as to the professional counseling that he needs to undergo before making this life altering decision,both from a physical standpoint and a spiritual standpoint.There are God fearing Doctor's in the world who will use their professionalism to perform this surgery instead of seeing a person butchered at the hands of a non-caring practioner of this surgery.I applaud these professionals because they are saving lives and preventing deformaties.There are actually a lot of people that don't believe in God or Heaven or Hell.As I stated before I'm a born again christian and my opinion concerning this matter or any other is derived from my interpretation of the scriptures from the Holy Bible from the book of Genesis through Revelation,from beginning to end God created man in his own image,male and female he created them.Ask me more(Luv Ya)Dexter Bowens

First off, Tyra, you are such a wonderful, wonderful person. What you are giving to Isis is the most precious gift anyone cound ever give a transgendered person. Achieving the financial means needed to get this surgery can be insurmisable to many people. I myself am experiencing this pain. Secondly, Isis, Congrats girl! I was soooo rooting for you to win. Thirdly, the reporter, I have to agree the only person who has the right to reveal Isis' birth name is Isis. Finally, To Dexter, "Not an Obamanite", and Amber. Tyra is not forcing Isis to get anything, just offering it to her. No, God doesn't make mistakes, but who the hell said being Transgendered was a mistake. Isis is an extremly talented, courageous woman, and an excelent role model for other transgendered people. ROle models are definately something the transgender community lacks very much, and God has delivered one to us. Aside from that, America is a democracy, not a theocracy. We have something called the Bill of Rights, and if you'd read that as closely and literally as you do your Bible, you'd notice something called "Freedom of Religeon" in there. You exercise that right every time you crack your bible, and I exercise it when I inform you that NOT EVERYONE IS A CHRISTIAN. If Isis, Tyra or I are violating the "law" of your God, then that is between US and GOD. The law of MAN needs to buttoutski.