This Morning gender identity chat labelled "important"

From Digital Spy

Activist Munroe Bergdorf has been praised by This Morning viewers following an "important" discussion about children and gender identity.

Today's episode of the ITV programme (November 19) included a segment which put forward the question of whether or not "children are transitioning unnecessarily", following a Mail on Sunday article which many online have slammed as being transphobic.

Bergdorf backed children who want to explore their own identity. Responding to a fellow guest who brought up reassignment surgery, she said: "There's the myth that transgender children are medically transitioning when what we really need to be doing is supporting these children in exploring and expressing their gender identity.

"And the reality is that children are not having reassignment surgery. They're expressing their gender, whether or not that's binary – from male to female, female to male – or non-binary as they don't identity with a binary gender.

"So when they're not medically transitioning as they're not, all that parents and teachers can do is support them and use the pronouns that they want and they choose themselves, and encourage them to express themselves with clothing or hairstyles."

The discussion turned to an argument made in the controversial original article claiming that "being trans is in vogue and a fad".

"I find this really concerning," Bergdorf responded, "because she was saying that trans kids are popular like it's some sort of abomination, like it's a bad thing – when it's better that trans kids are popular and are doted on by peers and encouraged to be themselves by their peers.

"Really, I think what's happening is that kids are being more accepting."

The segment drew positive comments from viewers who appreciated the topic being discussed on live television, as well as appreciation for Bergdorf.

"We need more people like you on TV discussing this important topic," one Twitter user told Bergdorf.

The daytime show later had a segment where viewers called in to ask questions and receive parental advice about how to support their children as they explore their gender identity.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10.30am on ITV.

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