My grandson, 4 years old, likes to wear frilly girls clothes, and calls himself a princess. His sister is 10. He has a gay uncle, by marriage. I want any constructive suggestions that I can get, as far as how to react. Right now we all just let it be. He's very introverted, plays with his trains and cars by himself. He keeps his trains and cars neatly lined up when he's not playing with them. And he's a real sweetheart of a boy. I don't act like anything is unusual; take him for rides on my Harley, and love him. But most of all, as an old biker, I want him to feel free to be himself. I'll teach him to kick a** sometime soon. Just in case the rest of the world isn't as tolerant. Your advice? Thanks, Michael

Sir, I am too a gay male, and your comments concern me. Sound like you suffer from low self-esteem. Just saying.

This is a new low for the today show!, I cant believe you covered this story!, This is Fake just like Ballon boy, these parents are making this kid do this for a book deal, look at his face, he is programmed and NOT happy, Shame Shame Shame. This child will have a life of teasing and getting beat up thanks to the parents. That is why every store has clothes sections for Girls and Boy's He is a Boy!!!...Hello :) Common sense parents shame on you!. Dont try the Gay thing like I'm homophbic....I work with plenty of gay and lesbians and dont have any problems with that, but this is a child!.... A boy at that, NOT a girl!

I let my children watch this segment James 7, Paishence 31/2, and David who is 2. James just kept laughing (sorry) Piashence was very upset that a little boy was stealing her title (its not her fault its her daddy's he has her thinking the world revolves around her ) shes currently writing her own book in the kitchen now titled Paishence the Princess Angel . Half of the time she only responds to me when I call her a princess angel and I'm not allowed to leave angel out of it or call her a pretty princess because she immediately corrects me. Then I asked David if he is my princess boy he ran away from me yelling no! To me Dyson isn't getting the attention he wants from his father and perhaps his mother should have a little girl oh wait she made her son her little girl......

C5,

I dressed like any other boy growing up, and I still got bullied to no end. But, you know what? I grew up knowing how to fight. And, now, no one has dared try to bash me since I was sixteen years old, even though I'm an out-and-proud gay man. He'll get bullied by whites just for the color of his skin. He'll get bullied by straights even if he dresses like them if his gestures, posture or speech aren't just so-so. But, at the end of the day, he'll grow up knowing what it's like to be mistreated just for being different, and as a result, he'll have a much bigger likelihood of becoming a leader among men, because he'll be passionate about standing up for peoples' rights and protecting others from the same fate he suffered growing up.

Childhood doesn't last nearly as long as adulthood, and those who pick on him now will some day work in a plant sucking the guts out of chickens while this boy heads a conglomerate company that owns that plant. That's generally how these scenarios play out.

And if nothing else, instead of admonishing his parents for allowing him to do something that might get him bullied, why aren't you admonishing the parents of bullies not to teach their kids to hate people for being different and subsequently mistreat them for it? That's seriously @!$%#ed up that you'll condemn someone for allowing their kid to engage in a peaceful, harmless activity while saying nothing about the parents of kids who engage in violence and discrimination.

I have a nephew who is a boy princess. I think that allowing children to be who they are is a much healthier approach than having them stuff who they are to conform to societies "norm". Our family does our best to allow him to be who he is, however, we do keep the dresses in our homes and have explained to him that this choice is not accepted in public the way we accept it at home. We have tried to keep the communication open with him for his own safety. I just think it odd that someone would suggest calling child protective services for this when it seems perfectly acceptible to allow little girls to dress like hookers in and out of the home. Let it go....let them be who they are.

LJ Rhodes, YOU ARE BY FAR, (ONE OF) THE MOST INTELLIGENT PERSON, WHO HAS INTUITION AND GREAT PERCEPTION INTO THE COGNITIVE EXISTENCE OF MEN! THANKS FOR COMMENTING. I am reading so much dumbass shyt, written by some ignorant azz people. Here ye, here ye,.........LJ Rhodes has spoken!

Jeff,

Thank you for acknowledging superior intellect when you encounter it--which I'm sure you do often, sweet cheeks. ;-)

Jeff,

I of course gathered you were being absolutely sarcastic and vitriolic toward me with your post. Figured I should clarify the reason behind my response. ;-)

I agree. Children are taught by there parents what is socially acceptable. It is very basic parenting. That little boy is going to look back at what his parents allowed him to do and be horrified.

J. Rivers,

You assume that little boy is going to develop the same bigotry you obviously harbor, but in all likelihood, you're completely mistaken.

I speak from experience when I say that, when I look back on the way my parents raised me, I'm actually horrified by what they didn't allow me to do. How I turned out not to be a bible-thumping, racist, sexist, xenophobic @!$%# who hates all things not straight, Christian, white and male is beyond me. As it is, though, I'd be more upset with my parents for not having allowed me to wear dresses had I wanted to than I ever would've that they allowed me to.

I am okay with a boy playing dress up and having girlie things but that is where I draw the line. It is for playing dress up not for everyday wearing. You should dress appropriately to school, the store & other places. Poor Dyson will need therapy one day due to the harrassment he gets from the other children.

Some things just come naturally. Little Princess Tyson want to wear dresses, and nobody taught him that. Well the way his father supports his decision, you never know. I't funny, my 5 yr. old grandson saw this segment on TV and told me he would lilke to beat Dyson up for acting like a girl. I told him we must be more understanding these days, and remember, never hit a girl.

Some men like dressing in women's clothes before having sex with women. It used to be called a fetish.

I have never been interested in men's clothes except that I do wear pants to the exclusion of dresses for 2 reasons: 1) pantyhose; 2) my legs are not tanned enough to be without panty hose.

I agree! Uniqueness is one thing & should be embraced. Has this family ever heard of a childhood phase though? This poor kid is 5, if his parents had let it go, he probably would've grown out of it. Instead, they wrote a book & made the kid appear on tv. Now, he's going to feel like this defines his personality & not be allowed to play out naturally.

At 5, I used to sit in front of the fuzzy channel on tv & claim I was talking to my Martian parents. It's called an imagination. Thankfully, my parents did not make a big deal of it, didn't go out & buy me costumes, or write a book. I grew out of it. Now we all look back & laugh about it.

If everyone were so quite to define, label, & spell out exactly who they are for fear of being called something else, things would be a lot calmer!

Thank You!! As a gay male, you have been able to say what a "straight" person would not be able to, without pre-judged condemnation from others. Yes, I agree with your concern and with your comments. This just might not be in the child's best interest, in spite of how good it appears to be at first glance. I'm sure the parents are doing what they think is best, but there is room for discussion here.

How do you have a gay uncle by marriage? I would like to point out that the brother of your non-biological aunt or uncle is not also an uncle.

The biggest mistake that I think some of the responders to this story are making is the sexual orientation connection. This is a five year old little boy. His desire to wear pretty little frilly clothes at this age has no more to do with his sexual orientation than say a little girl playing cowboys and indians. Just because she loves being the cowboy doesn't mean she's going to wind up having a girlfriend one day. One of the hardest things that parents have to deal with is their child's innocence. As adults and parents we look at and view everything our children do through our desensitized, suspicious, politically correct adult eyes. That's not the same view that they have of anything. Our children do things for two very basic reasons; joy and happiness. Those things that make them feel good, brings them enjoyment or makes them laugh. I'm sure that this little boys desire to wear dresses is just a stage. My little boy is going through a tie stage right now and other than his principal at school, there is no one else in his life that wears a tie. One night we were getting ready to go to a holiday get together and after I was finished putting my dress shirt on and just milling around he came up to me and out of the blue said "Daddy, can I wear a tie", I wasn't wearing one. "Sure you can", replies Daddy. Now I have to not only find a tie and remember how to tie it, but also have to figure out how to make it fit him. Everything ended up working out. He didn't even complain about the back of my tie being tucked into his sock all night long. Needless to say, after all of the compliments he received that evening he's worn one of my ties on several other occasions since then, even with just a T-shirt on. I'm hoping this is just another of of his stages? The point is though, at these ages our children are trying to find themselves. They're trying to define their own likes and dislikes. This little boy has probably been in the presence of a little girl that was showered with compliments over a pretty dress she was wearing and since he doesn't understand what being politically correct is at this age, he's trying to garner the same type of positive attention that he witnessed someone else get from the pretty, little frilly dress that they were wearing. So please don't judge this little boy, or look at this story, as if it's the early stages of a young man discovering he's gay, because as a father of four I don't believe that has anything to do with his desire to wear dresses.

There is no handbook for raising children who look, feel, or act different from the societal norm. However, being a mother myself, I do understand wanting your child to be happy. I support her actions and applaude her efforts. As he grows older as parents they will always have to teach the lessons of the person who is different. Those lessons include love and respect for oneselve, for others, and most importantly how to defind (physically or otherwise) oneself against the ignorant. Childhood is not forever.

I support his parent's decision! I was a pure tomboy as a child and could play tackle football with the best of them. My mother made me dresses for picture day and I wore them, but on a daily basis I wore what I was comfortable in and my parents always supported my interests. I'm a healthy adult who dresses appropriately without feeling compromised. I'm also a single mother raising 2 boys and my childhood interests are helping tremendously! I play baseball, football, basketball, tennis and golf with them. I ALSO bake cookies and cakes - as do they. I believe this boy's opportunity to express himself honestly will promote SELF-acceptance, which in the end is far more important than other forms of acceptance. He may never be accepted by everyone, (who is?) but if he feels good about HIMSELF, he will prevail. His confidence will surely invite respect if not understanding. I no longer want to wear a Green Bay Packer uniform around the house, but I'm not embarrassed that I once did. If this is a true passion for the princess boy, then I doubt he will have regrets either.

On a side note, I felt bad for him this morning since I could clearly see that he had a very swollen gland on his neck and probably wasn't feeling well!

Besides being an idiot the mother probably hates men. Right wrong or sideways this mother does not have a clue as to how tough this kid is going to have it in school. I beleive the child is to young to understand the consequences. If he was able to understand this and then still chose to do do what he is doing fine, but I really don't think his mother is helping him understand.

Call me old school but when did we start allowing "counsel" from our 8 year olds be our basis for allowing our children to make life changing choices? My oldest son was a lil girly and now he is a typical boy. (who would die from embarrassment if those days are revealed now) Not becasue that is wrong, per say. It's just not who he is now. Or wants to be known for.

What if her son is going thru a phase? This over exposure will send him over the edge! Can the child have an awkward stage in private PLEASE! And if this is who he is let him write his own story!

As a mom I'm kind of shocked that people would express such an issue with others who find this disturbing! We have failed as parents to parent our kids. The gender rolls should not be that hard to define.

I dont think gay or lesbian means tutu for boys and harley's for girls. This is not an hate issue. That is a stero-type! I don't think God hates you if your dressing like a man as a woman or vice versa! John 3:16 ppl

But I do think that we have forgotten that people and children change. And once made infamous for the cross dressing little boy becomes their identitiy they as a family cannot go back to who they were when this area of his life changes.

Instead of putting him on the today show she should have put him in a dance class and let him get all the sequence an fancy clothing he wants! And when he is older let him decide.

This is very sad ~ SMDH. One as parents, we are held accountible for teaching and training our children on what's right and wrong. It is clear that both the mom and dad have major issues. And as you can see it is running over into the 5 yr olds life. All arrows point to THIS IS WRONG!!! And mark my words, this poor baby is gonna grow up and be a "gay man". Unfortunately, this is where it all begings and us as parents are totally held responsible for our childrens actions until as such time they are of age to know right from wrong. Dyson relys on his parents for guidance and they are clearly guiding him down the wrong path. This will become more and more open in children at younger ages as time progresses, I just hate that th word of god is being ignored in the entire process. Not to say that we are perfect, but some things are just NOT ACCEPTABLE and this is truly one of them. Open your eyes people, satan is moving in on our babies faster and quicker than ever befor. My prayers will continue to go forth for our children, I have 3 children myself and I am more than supportive of their futuristic endevours but some things I will not or would not support and this would have been one of them.

The parents should force the boy to wear the clothes of the parents's choosing. All other "natural" behaviors are repressed to produce a being that will succeed in society, starting with pre-school. If a kid is happy pooping in his pants, should he be discouraged? Come on. The princess boy will suffer punches and receive a sausage in the can from a homosexual pedophile at an early age. If parental guidance in a child's dress code can prevent that, the parents should do so.

I so agree with this Stephs2sense. I think most gay men and women know at a young age their preference. However, I think at 2 years old and even 5 this little boy may be saying exactly what he feels. He likes pink sparkly. That's it. I think it's wrong for his mother to make a social issue of it. Bottom line is no one knows what or who Dyson will grow up to be. Dyson's mother is kind of setting the course for him. This story brings to mind the life of Kevyn Aucoin and others like him. Kevyn had non traditional interests at a young age. He was fascinated with makeup, styling, clothes. His mother and sister played along nicely. Kevyn made a career out of his interests. If he were still alive to speak about it, I bet Kevyn would tell you those things did not define who he was as a gay man. Quite sure other things like crushes on other boys were what prompted him to explore and eventually accept that lifestyle.

On the other hand does a boy who likes pink sparkly things mean that he will grow up to be a gay male? I know plenty of metro sexual men who wear shirts that are just shy of being a blouse. [shrugs] I think Dyson's mother really believes she is doing the right thing. Most mother's try to do what's best for their children and then we end up therapy saying how they screwed us up. LOL! I sincerely hope she will take a step back and decide to take this out of public attention.

As far as Dyson's behavior on camera it looked like to me he was watching himself on a monitor. His eyes were fixated and he was making goofy smiles. That's what 5 year olds do.

Hey L.J. "He'll get bullied by whites just for the color of his skin."

WHAT? I thought the boy had a problem until I read that.

I am glad somebody said it. It's one thing to accept someone for decisions they make, it's another to improperly influence a child who has no understanding of society and its immorality. Children immitate what they see adults acknowledging. My cousin wanted to be a butterfly when she was little. Obviously she can't and didn't become one but we didn't tell her that it was possible and give her false hope. Why can't parents be more responsible? By the way it sounds as if the only people supporting this fiasco are advocates for the gay community. That is why I thank you for your comment Keyari.

Greyghost,

I'm not sure I follow you.

i agree with you. he's five and who buys his clothes. it's the same thing as buying the food your child eats. do they let him eat whatever he wants too, even if it's unhealthly. i don't agree with dressing a boy like a girl or a girl like a boy. i have 2 sons although they're grown now but there was never one time they decided they wanted to dress or act like a girl. you as the parent take your kids shopping when they're young and you buy their clothes. granted your taste isn't always going to be the same but then you compromise but to a limit. i would never dress my boys like girls. i have 2 grandsons now and i buy their clothes and when i go in the girls section they're asking why are we here arnd then i tell them i am looking for something for their sister. people are not born gay or racist they are taught to be that way. gay people start experiementing with being with the same sex and they soon start to like it. racisim is taught to children by their ignorant ass parents. i watched the video and that boy didn't look happy to me at all. There are parents that subconsciously want a child of a different sex than they have so they're the ones that start the process not the child. I think it's really. God gave you a boy or a girl you should treat them as such, not change and confuse them. God doesn't make misstakes, either you a male or a female.

I personally think that any child who has the courage themselves to go out against what's considered to be the norm should be encouraged to no end. We can all break it down like this.

1.The child is not hurting anyone else, or himself.

2.Children have phases, some pass, some don't. Get over it

3.The child is one of the few that can make up his mind on what makes him happy, not just what he sees on commercials or at school.

I believe in my personal opinion that these parents are fantastic. For once, it's about the HIS life, not what the parents expect his life to be. To anyone who says the mother only wanted a daughter and did this on purpose, how much more closed minded could you be? If this wasn't encouraged, then he would merely do it while his parents were gone, or in hiding places, and always he would feel guilty for trying to be himself. Kids today feel that they let their parents down by not doing what's expected, and people would chastise these parents for encouraging their child in a non-harmful habit? I know this child will experience many hardships if he wishes to continue dressing this, but everyone experiences hardships, the difference in his case being is he has a family who supports him. Perhaps instead of saying these people are bad parents for not controlling their sons life properly, maybe you nay-sayers should look in the mirror and see how you were controlled and justified it to yourself. My father wouldn't let me play soccer because he thought it was gay, do I watch soccer now? Manchester United all the way. However if it had been supported, perhaps I would've played soccer in highschool and got a scholarship for it. Instead I was pushed into baseball which I hated because that was more socially accepted. Did I play highschool baseball? No, I dropped out after little league. The choice is theirs on how to raise their son, and those without sin should cast the first stone. I don't believe any rocks will be thrown at these parents.

My son is almost 4. He is in between 2 girls. He loves pink and he wants to wear their clothes and shoes. I just let him. I keep thinking about the comedian Eddie Izzard and all he has gone through being a cross dresser. I want my son to know he's loved and not be ashamed of pink mary jane's if that's what he chooses to wear today. I think homosexuality and cross dressing are 2 different issues and each child is different. Deal with the issue at hand and it will be ok.

This has nothing to do with an ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE, being straight or gay. I am actually shocked that you would have this response as a gay man in America! Do you prefer to have your lifestyle referred to as ALTERNATIVE or wouldn't you prefer NORMAL? In order to get comfortable as a society, we need to be uncomfortable FIRST! You obviously have no experience with children. I have nannied for years and I am a mother of a boy myself - and as a Mom, I would NEVER want to crush my child's spirit or happiness! From their birth they are INDIVIDUALS. It is hard not to want to beat to the same drum as everyone else. But it is a matter of putting your kid's needs above your own.

So what I'm essentially observing here is that people "feel" that the acceptance of any proven destructive behavior, (other than smoking, drinking, drugs, murder, etc.), is tolerance, and the non-acceptance of that behavior is bigotry, right? And it's up to the parental units to "teach" their offspring the difference.

A bit difficult when they haven't learned the difference themselves... "There is no wrong, There is no right. there is only 'gray.' And that's okay?" NOT!

Please don't misunderstand me on this, it IS possible to 'love' a person (non-sexually) and still despise the actions of that person. (I thought about giving an example, but I won't, as it would be twisted into something it is not. And I won't give anyone that opportunity.) ALL life IS sacred. Even if it has physical, mental or psychological abnormalities. Think of your standard bell-curve and you might understand things better.

Don't hate me for being the bearer of bad news here, but the sky is blue and the grass is green, and all of the complaining in the world will never change it. We have too many people that are standing on their heads wanting the world to change for them. Before we started tampering with eugenics and such, evolution used to weed out the abnormalities, for the most part. Think back to the bell-curve...

Personally, I kind of hope the Mayan prophecy is true. Generally speaking, humans are a failed experiment, at least, so far. ;_;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eScDfYzMEEw Pay special attention to 2:24-2:32 and 3:45-5:12

Spiddas,

You think humans are a failed experiment? And what brought you to that conclusion? That not every single one of us shares your beliefs and views? You're pretty damned presumptive to declare we've failed. In fact, you exhibit what I can only charitably call a god complex if you think you've the authority to decide we're a "failed experiment."

That said, the sky is blue because of physics. The grass is green because of chemistry. Boys are boys because of biology. How they dress, on the other hand, is nothing more than a decision made by beings with free will, first and foremost, with a good measure of abstract thinking abilities second. You're equating wearing jeans and t-shirts with innate characteristics such as hair color and skin tone. But, we're not born with clothes, so there's no declaring one kind of clothing any more or less natural than any other, regardless of the gender of the person wearing them.

Until you've achieved omnipotence/omniscience, I think you'd do well to accept your limitations as a human being and stop trying to bring about the destruction of all mankind. There are far more of us who want to continue to live than there are of you who want us to die. I'll give you two guesses as to how that fight will end, though you'll only need one.

For those of you getting so worked up about this little boy wanting to wear a dress, I say just get over it! You are making a big deal about NOTHING! May I remind you that it could be a lot worse. He could want to have a nose or face piercing, want to wear black eyeliner, get a mohawk and dye it green, wear leather and spandex.

People, it doesn't matter! Its just clothing. Maybe he'll grow out of it, and maybe he'll be a fashion designer one day who buys his parents a multi-million dollar estate because they were so supportive of him when he was young.

LJR - Your response is exactly why I didn't give the example I omitted. It amazes me how people read into what one writes. I never brought up anything regarding clothing. And frankly, I don't give a rats a$$ about what anyone thinks about me. Least of all you. I've never been concerned about popularity, but I've had plenty come to me and say they, (and those they consorted with), admired me for having that attitude.

So lets clear the air by looking at your main statement:

That said, the sky is blue because of physics. The grass is green because of chemistry. Boys are boys because of biology. How they dress, on the other hand, is nothing more than a decision made by beings with free will, first and foremost, with a good measure of abstract thinking abilities second...

Agreed.

...You're equating wearing jeans and t-shirts with innate characteristics such as hair color and skin tone...

Never stated nor implied.

So we can either let everyone do what they want to because we don't want to hurt their FEELINGS, or start instructing them to do what is right and correct because it is right and correct. Like they say, we can either do what is easy, or what is right.

God complex... ROTFLMAO ^_^

WTF? what concerns me is why is the father okay with this. Little boys need to be taught how to be boys. They are not even trying to show him. He does not know what he want, his long term memory just kicked in two years ago. His parents are failing him!! You forget or neglect to teach boys how to become men, and they grow to become women....in their mind only. As a parent, you can be supportive of your child but dammit teach them their place and role. If he decides to be gay when gets older, then fine because the parents at least taught him. But the little boy is not even getting a chance to experience being a boy. Its sad for real.......really sad.

Spiddas,

Asserting that humans are failures and should be destroyed because of it is, indeed, one of the symptoms of a god complex.

And you're saying that we should teach people to do what's right because it's right. But, who are you or anyone else to determine what's right? The only thing we can truly claim to be right just on the merits of humanity is what doesn't hurt others. And this boy's wearing dresses doesn't hurt anyone else. So, it's not wrong for him to wear them if it makes him happy. And to those who say he's going to be hurt by others because of it, and that his parents should stop him from doing it as a result, I must once again say that, instead of condemning this boy's parents for not stopping him from wearing dresses, they should condemn the parents of those who would hurt him for wearing them for not teaching their children to leave others the @!$%# alone.

It's really that simple. If enough people called out idiotic parents who teach their children to feel contempt for those who are different, rather than calling out parents who teach their children to be themselves, the idiotic parents would damned sure stop turning out evil little bigots. You said people prefer to do what's easy over doing what's right (in this case, you claim that the right thing is to tell this child to stop dressing like a girl), and you're absolutely right, but not in what you're insisting. Instead of going after the masses who harbor prejudice and even violent resentment of anything different, which is the right thing to do, they choose to go after the few who are brave enough to instill enough bravery in their own children to be themselves despite whom everyone else tells them they should be, which is clearly the easy route.

It really goes a long way to show how weak and cowardly the majority of Americans actually are that they always do this. "The greatest country in the world," my ass, since any country is only as great as its people, and this country's people are some seriously @!$%#ed-up chicken@!$%#s.

The feminization of boys is becoming more common with the presence of phthalates (plastics) in our food and water supplies. This is a topic that I have not seen addressed seriously in the popular media, but is well-known in the scientific community. (Google plastics feminizing)

I take exception to the Mom parading her son around like this and pushing this book on every show available. If she's fine with him dressing like that, then be fine and support him in his own home. Perhaps she thinks she's "helping" others dealing with the same issue, but I've now seen tons of stories where parents have described their children doing the same or they themselves doing the same and there was no need to write a book or trot their kid on national TV wearing a TuTu.

Grownups who have issues with her taking her son on national TV should put aside their own hatred of effeminate males and the whole "gay thing" and realize that, somewhere out there, there're boys who also dress like girls by choice who are ridiculed by their families, schoolmates, etc., and getting to see another boy doing what they do who's actually on TV can be one of the most reassuring, comforting experiences for them, helping them to feel less like a freak and more like something that, though not accepted locally, is perhaps okay in peoples' eyes outside their limited environments.

Stop worrying about how offended you are by the sight of a boy in a dress and start thinking about how, if he saves the life of even one other boy in a dress by making it on television, it was worth it. If you think your own preferences for now-antiquated ideas of what constitutes true masculinity being satisfied are more important the the well-being and lives of children, then you're too much of a monster for your sensitivities even to be considered, let alone appeased.

Just more proof that common sense is absent from the gene pool and has now been relegated to a near super human power. 0_o

Common sense dictates that if a behavior is not conducive to the progressive evolution of a species, nor is it corrected when exhibited, extinction is the only other viable option. The US (among other countries) is just following in the footsteps of its predecessors, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Rome, et al. Politically, fiscally, ideologically, and the like. Time to learn Chinese!

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -- George Santayana, Author of Reason in Common Sense, volume 1 of The Life of Reason

BTW - He could also end up being the next Jeffery Dahmer... Conjecture in these types of arguments/debates are nothing more than BS in a last ditch effort to promote opinions over substance. And we all know what opinions are like!

~~~> Kudos, Donna, for bringing up REAL & USEFUL info. <~~~

~~~> That is where the people need to focus their research. <~~~

~~~> They also need to look at what's IN the bottled water, too!<~~~

"So long, and thanks for all the fish!" -- Douglas Adams

You know I really think the bottom line is this:

When did it become accepted practice to drag your 5 year old child on to national television and discuss his or her possible sexuality?

Excuse me? Is there nothing sacred anymore? Does no one have any class anymore? Why is discussing ANYONES sexuality acceptable behaviour? Damn do you people have to share EVERYTHING?

Lets look at it this way.. If your husband was wearing your dresses, you wouldn't be on the Today show discussing it.. so why is it ok for your child?

Lets assume that this is just a phase and he goes on to live a healthy hetrosexual life.. Then one day his boss realizes that this is the same kid he saw on the Today show years ago, whose mother was espousing how great it is that he dresses in girls clothes..

Do you really think that there won't be any consequences down the road?

Now before you start howling.. no I am not advocating bullying.. But I am realistic enough to know that no matter what I say, it will happen. Don't you think that this little boy will be hurt when other kids won't play with him because he is "weird"...?

And no it should not be ACCEPTED BEHAVIOUR for little boys to wear girls clothing, in public. Boys are boys. Girls are girls.. deal with it.. otherwise you wouldn't have been born what you are. And don't hand me that mistake of nature bull@!$%#.. You make your choices, at least be adult enough to admit that and quit making excuses..

The parents are just looking for their 15 minutes of fame... Of course it's at their child's expense. Thanks, reality TV. -_-

Spiddas,

Air-conditioning and internal combustion engines are also unnatural--frighteningly so, actually. They do nothing to advance the evolution of mankind. So, given your stance on unnatural behaviors, I can only assume you live in, at the most modern, a mud hut covered with a grass roof, that you walk everywhere, that you don't wear shoes, have never availed yourself of modern medicine (including vaccinations and immunizations), that you chase down and kill all your own food, etc.

If you engage in even one of these unnatural behaviors, then you're in absolutely no position to judge anyone else for theirs, since you can't run around drawing arbitrary lines between what's acceptable and what isn't, at least where behaviors that don't hurt anyone else are concerned. And this boy's wearing dresses in no way hurts anyone else. So, if you can't just live and let live, then perhaps it's you who needs to become extinct.

mssuzieq,

So, you're saying that boys are born wearing certain clothes, and that girls are born wearing different clothes from boys? I mean, seriously. Where do you people get the authority or right to judge anyone for what they wear? Clothing is a purely chosen thing, as we're not born with them. And what kind any person chooses to wear is that person's business and no one else's. It should be considered a mental illness to believe that only particular genders can wear particular clothes, since it's completely unnatural the wear clothes at all.

Once you wear clothes, however, all other bets are off. Wear whatever the hell you want, regardless of gender. Nowhere even in the bible does it say exactly what kinds of clothes men have to wear and what kind women have to wear. Men wore robes. Women wore robes. At no point does it say men have to wear jeans and women have to wear dresses. So, even if you wanted to try to bring religious doctrine into this, you'd have to concede that this boy's wearing dresses is closer to wearing the robes of biblical times than wearing pants is, and that he's closer to following in the footsteps of Jesus than most men are.

Do you see how ridiculous all this gets, and how quickly so? Reserve judgment for peoples' behaviors that actually bring harm to others. Wearing a dress when you're male in no way does that.

You know LJ I have agreed with most things that you have posted but now your getting a little too out there.. Infants are not born with clothes on so please stop making stupid statements. Please note that my exact comment was:

And no it should not be ACCEPTED BEHAVIOUR for little boys to wear girls clothing, in public

See the part that said IN PUBLIC? You are now just trying to argue with people for the sake of arguing.. that makes you a troll...

mssuzieq,

I'm not getting too far out there. Like I said, if we're not born with something, then adding it after birth is basically unnatural, so there's no rightfully claiming one addition is more or less natural than another, including dresses for boys and jeans for girls, whether worn in public or not. There is absolutely nothing wrong with boys dressing like girls, especially since girls have long dressed like boys.

I've said this repeatedly on here, because, sadly, people seem incapable of grasping this very simple concept. So, perhaps with repetition, it'll start to sink in. It's not an unreasonable way to see the situation...certainly not as unreasonable as it is to claim that there's such a thing as a "natural" way for boys to dress and a "natural" way for girls to dress, and that any separation from those "norms" is unacceptable. Also, how you think I'm getting too far out there to make my argument about what's natural and what isn't is frankly astounding.

That said, there's also this. Women who say men shouldn't wear dresses should be especially ashamed, since they're being every bit as sexist as they tend to accuse men of being, and to go so far as to demand that men not wear certain clothes is getting so into their business that they're not just being sexists, but tyrants to boot.

As for men who say men shouldn't wear dresses because it's "unnatural," how many of them keep themselves clean-shaven, even though they grow facial hair naturally? If that's not a case of the @!$%# calling the scrotum hairy, I don't know what is.

We can argue the details of what's socially acceptable and what's not all day long where simple freedom of expression is concerned, but when it comes down to it, it's just one big pissing contest. As I said to another poster, if you want to draw arbitrary lines, stick to fingerpainting, and leave grownup affairs to the grownups.

Greyghost...Bullied by the Whites???are you nutz ..The brothers are going to have a field day with this high yellow character .....

Sadly to say this world is steadily going down the drain. Not to judge because of all the other mess going on in the world, I just think he is too young to have such a stereotype decision to make on his own. I do know I allow my four year old son to pick out what he wants to wear but it is jeans and a shirt! That little boy shouldn’t be allowed to wear that in public or on TV. My thing is if this little boy does not grow out of it they are making trouble and headlines for themselves when he gets in middle school and high school. We had a girl banned from her senior prom because he wanted to come dressed in a tux. Then that other boy who is a trany (however you spell it) that was nominated for homecoming queen but wouldn’t let her because she is transgender. This was all in 2010, so now she is allowing her son to start an issue and he haven’t even made it to first grade yet and I will be very surprised if the public school system will allow that. It is not fair if that is a rule it needs to run across the board no matter the state. The schools here are messing up high school memories cause of stereotype. That woman is breaking rules that have already been put in place and that will land her back on TV again in a few years.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with boys dressing like girls, especially since girls have long dressed like boys.

The simple fact that you see nothing wrong with it displays something is VERY wrong with you. He was born a boy physically and scientifically, HE SHOULD LEARN HOW TO BE ONE. At least before he choose not to be one. That type of choice should not be made by him at freakin 5 YEARS OLD anyway. Once again, this is a failure of the parent! You keep throwing in what is "socially accepted" I feel its definitly needed for children to LEARN what society is first then build moral judgments. Of coarse his parents should love him and accept him but dammit that does not give them a reason not to teach the boy what is right!!

That said, there's also this. Women who say men shouldn't wear dresses should be especially ashamed, since they're being every bit as sexist as they tend to accuse men of being, and to go so far as to demand that men not wear certain clothes is getting so into their business that they're not just being sexists, but tyrants to boot.

Really??!!??!! A man who wears a dress? Women being sexist? GROW SOME BALLS!!!!! Most MEN i know won't BEYTCH about such trivial things. But thats the problem we are letting our MEN dress as girls when they are little boys. So logically its normal for them to grow up and be PUZZIES about everything! I swear, real men are becoming extinct now in days. I appreciate my dad being a father and teaching me to become a man. I grew up in a house full of "girly girl" Women and i would hate to see what i would have became if they were the only influences i had.

Onematt,

And there's some scientific and/or medical proof that boys can only dress a certain way? Or that girls can only dress a certain way? Who decides how boys should dress? In other cultures, men and women dress pretty much the same, wearing robes and what-not. Are they unnatural?

If this boy is happy wearing dresses, he should certainly be allowed to. It doesn't hurt anyone else for him to wear them, but not wearing them might make him very unhappy. Ultimately, as long as what we do doesn't cause actual harm to others, it's nobody's business what we do, and none of us has a right to tell others not to do such things. To try to force people to behave a certain way just because we say so when no one's health or well-being is at stake is @!$%#ed up. That's like me saying it's unnatural and wrong for anyone to wear pink, just because I don't like the color pink. I'd be not just wrong to expect others to conform to my notions of what's right, but stupid to boot. As is anyone who says a boy can't wear a dress. Nature didn't design clothes. Humans did. But we've no more authority than nature, to be sure, so if nature didn't see fit to make it so that the different genders can only wear certain things, who the hell are we to make such a declaration? You're saying you have more authority over mankind than nature when you make your assertions.

But, really, who are you to say how boys should dress? Did God almighty come down from heaven and bestow upon you some authority over mankind that we've just not been made aware of yet? And you say there's something wrong with me? That's rich.

Onematt,

Also, I look damned good in drag, as many a Halloween reveler has seen over the years. Yet I guarantee you I'm no pussy. And I'll be happy to prove it to you if you'll agree to meet me to settle this in person. ;-)

[8-year-old son] Dkobe said to me, “Why can't you just let him be happy, Mom?”

Wiser words have never been spoken. And from an 8-year old, no less.

L.J. Rhodes,

Also, I look damned good in drag, as many a Halloween reveler has seen over the years. Yet I guarantee you I'm no pussy. And I'll be happy to prove it to you if you'll agree to meet me to settle this in person. ;-)

WOW!!! I see why your so passionate about this. This is personal for you. But once again, HE IS FIVE(5) YEARS OLD! He has no place making decisions like that. His parents untimatley decides what he wares, WHY?, Because thats what parents do!! This makes them weak enablers, that let their kids make decisions for them. What the hell was the kid going to do if his parents did not buy him the girls clothes? Cry maybe? So the phuck what? He's a Boy? He'll get over it. Like most kids his age do when they don't get thier way.

But we've no more authority than nature, to be sure, so if nature didn't see fit to make it so that the different genders can only wear certain things, who the hell are we to make such a declaration? You're saying you have more authority over mankind than nature when you make your assertions.

You are failing to see what impact this will have on this kids future. But then again you'll never understand because your view is just as warped as this kids parents.

But, really, who are you to say how boys should dress? Did God almighty come down from heaven and bestow upon you some authority over mankind that we've just not been made aware of yet? And you say there's something wrong with me? That's rich.

I am a man!! Born as one, raised by one! Men do not dress up as women. Little boys should not be allowed to dress up as little girls. Not once did i say anything about GOD. And yes, there is something very wrong with you and I sincerely hope you are not raising kids with these confused morals.. Really dude! If you are, then i feel sorry for them.

Onematt,

You're missing the point here. Who decided how men and women should dress? Who gave them the authority to tell everyone what they can and can't wear? And you keep saying this kid's parents are weak, but what is a person who lets others dictate to him what constitutes dressing like a man or a woman? Talk about weak!

I don't let society tell me I can't drink Dr. Pepper, eat fried chicken, drive a Chevy, and I sure as hell won't let society tell me what clothes I can and can't wear. No one has that authority or right. No one should allow themselves to be so controlled by others. To do so is truly weak.

This kid's parents are the strong ones, bucking against others' attempts to control them and their child. They're doing exactly what parents should do--teach and allow their children to think for themselves, choose for themselves who and what they want to be (so long as what they do doesn't hurt anyone else, and again, this kid isn't hurting anyone else), and to tell the rest of the society to go @!$%# itself if it doesn't like it.

Stop being a sheep. You say you're a man. Well, then, be one. Stop letting everyone else decide for you what's right and what's wrong, and stop being so insecure that you feel the need to do the same to others. This kid's just five years old, and he's got bigger balls than you, to be sure. You could learn a thing or two from him.

P.S. I don't enjoy wearing women's clothes. They're entirely too binding. It's a bitch, looking pretty. The heels, alone, are a nightmare. So, don't think my views about boys who want to wear dresses stems from my own desire to wear them. As I mentioned, I've done it for Halloween, but tell me, would you really feel comfortable wearing around an elaborate costume year-round? No. You do it for that one night just 'cause that's what that holiday's all about. That doesn't mean you want to do it all the time. But your right to wear whatever you want is what allows you to dress up for Halloween in the first place. Don't infringe upon others' rights to do the same, as you forfeit your own rights when you infringe on the rights of others.

LJR, you have unequivocally proven that you are part of the problem. You state that products of our development via our innovation is behaviorally unnatural. If you believe this is so, (and they frighten you so-o-o much), go crawl back under your rock in your cave, and continue living like an animal. What frightens me, based on your own statements in multiple posts, it seems you have a 'affinity' for kids and their attire. And the point you are attempting to make, nonexistent.

In reviewing your various posts and "arguments", (with everyone), it has become quite apparent that you are just like the parents in this non-news "article." An attention whore.

Your arguments are feeble at best, and opinion-based rather than fact-based. Like I stated earlier, conjecture in these types of arguments/debates are nothing more than BS in a last ditch effort to promote opinions over substance.

Have a good life, if you can find one.

When my son was around 8 , he spray painted a pair of tennis shoes gold. It appealed to his quirky sense of humor mostly, but he also thought it made him stand out as unique. He wore them to school once or twice and loved the reaction he got from his friends. But knowing how cruel kids can be, I put a stop to it very quickly. I didn't want the same kids who got a chuckle over it at 8 be the same kids who remember it and taunt him with "Twinkle Toes" and "Fairy Feet" in high school.

OH MY GAWD!!!!! Dude!! It is pointless for you. You are immune to whats right and wrong. Just because people have a right to do something does not mean it is right!!. I give up

I agree with Spiddas, You are part of the problem. I feel sorry for the upcoming generations. They are going to have a lot to deal with and over come.

Should we revert back to the 40s and 50s when boys were only allowed to wear certain things and girls another, no questions, no opinions? That's what a lot of posters are soundingf like. It's okay for a girl to dress like a boy, but not the other way around, even when every kid does it to some extent at some point? Assinine

Spiddas,

There are no facts when it comes to one's choice of attire beyond what it's color is, what materials it's made from, etc. There is no fact that boys can't wear dresses any more than there's fact that girls can't wear pants. That's purely opinion and a matter of choice. There's no proving it's wrong for boys to wear dresses. But, as you keep insisting that it's wrong for boys to wear anything but two-legged bottoms, then you're saying Jesus was wrong to wear robes. Those are the predecessors of dresses, after all.

So, actually, there's simply no dealing with you, since you've got it in your head that it's a fact that boys can't wear dresses, when they're every bit as capable of doing so as girls.

As for your suggestion that I'm a pedophile (and don't even try to pull the bull@!$%# denial that that's not what you meant with your claim that I'm obsessed with kids and what they're wearing), I think it goes without saying that you can go @!$%# yourself, though I'll go ahead and say it anyway. Suspensions or bans be damned on this one, 'cause you're way over the line this time.

So, actually, there's simply no dealing with you, since you've got it in your head that it's a fact that boys can't wear dresses, when they're every bit as capable of doing so as girls.

Suddenly I feel dumb and incompetent for even debating this topic with someone who can muster the gall to say that. Dude.....Good luck raising your kids...seriously....good luck. Clearly you something against males being males and girls being girls.

Onematt,

I have something against people trying to tell others what they can and can't wear. It goes all over me not just on the grounds of personal attire, but as an artist, to boot. Telling a boy he can't wear a dress is like telling an artist he can't paint certain pictures, a musician he can't compose certain music, or even Christians that they can't read certain versions of their bible (and I'm not even religious!).

It's basically censorship, and I hate that almost more than I hate gay-bashing. And with good reason. Does China's government control over its internet and what content its citizens can access ring a bell?

But, more to the point in this case, you people are trash-talking a kid who wants to wear dresses just 'cause he's a he, and you're berating his parents for allowing him to engage in perfectly harmless activities that hurt no one. Who the hell are you, really, to try to tell any parents how to raise their kids? I didn't see you on any of the discussions about gay teens committing suicide, railing at the parents of their bullies for not teaching their kids to be nice to people despite their differences. So, what gives? Why pick on just this family?

Ugh, I can almost smell the Schlitz and BBQ pork rinds on your breath as I read all your comments about this family, and it's actually about to make me throw up.

But, more to the point in this case, you people are trash-talking a kid who wants to wear dresses just 'cause he's a he, and you're berating his parents for allowing him to engage in perfectly harmless activities that hurt no one. Who the hell are you, really, to try to tell any parents how to raise their kids? I didn't see you on any of the discussions about gay teens committing suicide, railing at the parents of their bullies for not teaching their kids to be nice to people despite their differences. So, what gives? Why pick on just this family?

Dude....YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT!! It's not about being gay, It not about freedom of choice either. Its about putting kids in line. Showing them their roles in life and society, THEN letting them choose whats right for them. But until they get to that point.....PARENTS CHOOSE FOR THEM. Now, this gay teens committing suicide jibba jabba ain't nobodies fault but that individual. They take thier own life. Everybody gets bullied for some reason or another, but only weaklings lets bother to the point where they take their own life. So don't point the finger at anyone else. Secondly, this family made themselves a target when they decided to turn this junk into a publicity stunt. So yes i will talk about them.

It's basically censorship, and I hate that almost more than I hate gay-bashing. And with good reason. Does China's government control over its internet and what content its citizens can access ring a bell?

Not the same thing dude. This has nothing to do with censorship. This is a simple fact that even most gay couples understand, if the adopt and boy then, TEACH HIM TO BE A BOY FIRST!!

Telling a boy he can't wear a dress is like telling an artist he can't paint certain pictures,

smh...........deep breath. i'm gonna puke.

Ugh, I can almost smell the Schlitz and BBQ pork rinds on your breath as I read all your comments about this family, and it's actually about to make me throw up.

Really?? How racist is that! I'm surprised that you can smell the Schlitz and BBQ pork rinds on my breath over that COCK smell resonating off your breath. You know what, I'm for repeal DADT, and Gay marriage. But homosexuals and lesbians like you make it very hard to accept and be for it. Whatever lifestyle you choose is ok, its your drama queen attitude that PHUCKS it up for all. As for this kids parents, they'll realize soon enough how much of a mistake they are making.

Pedo??? Where did you pull that from. There's a really big book you might be interested in. It's called a "Dictionary." It's really useful in finding out what words means. I wouldn't risk getting suspended or banned for that kind of childish drivel. Especially for someone who cannot seem to see the forest for the trees. So much for a rational debate.

Using your "dressing boys like girls and girls like boys" scenario... This IS the final reason Greece fell, (as well as the other civilizations). Lets just pull the rug of reason and stability out from under the feet of the coming generations because someone thinks a child has the ability to rationalize their feelings in an adult form. "If it feels good, do it", always leads to destruction because it effects everyone in the long run. Hence, common sense dictates that if a behavior is not conducive to the progressive evolution of a species, nor is it corrected when exhibited, extinction is the only other viable option.

Abstract thinking works well in some places, but not everywhere. The same can be said about logical thinking. This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a place for the abstract, as it can/will have disastrous effects on the species.

Man: I came here for a good argument.

Mr Barnard: No you didn't; no, you came here for an argument.

Man: An argument isn't just contradiction.

Mr Barnard: It can be.

Man: No it can't. An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.

Mr Barnard: No it isn't.

Man: Yes it is! It's not just contradiction.

Mr Barnard: Look, if I argue with you, I must take up a contrary position.

Man: Yes, but that's not just saying 'No it isn't.'

Mr Barnard: Yes it is!

Man: No it isn't!

Man: Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of any statement the other person makes.

(short pause)

Mr Barnard: No it isn't.

onematt - You might want to watch yourself in your replies. There's no sense in getting suspended or banned for this loser. ~_o Notice how it's the same tired, lame argument of apples to oranges, rehashed, almost every time. No tangible substance. He just likes getting a rise out of whomever he can. Stereotypical even.

Spiddas and Onematt,

It all comes down to one very simple truth. You're both homophobes, and you're pissed that these parents aren't beating the gay out of their son right now in the hopes that he'll go in the closet, never to come out again. That's what you assume this child is to be dressing the way he does, and it irks you to no end that his parents are okay with it.

Ya know, I hear Clint McCance is looking for some new friends. You might contact him and see if you all can start a support group for your kind.

As for thinking I'm racist over the Schlitz and BBQ pork rinds, Onematt, it has nothing to do with racism. It has to do with being an uneducated southerner. Uneducated=poor. Poor=having to buy the cheapest stuff one can find to consume while watching NASCAR (i.e. Schlitz beer and pork rinds). Your take on what constitutes masculinity and what boys should be allowed to do and not to do smack of the stance of an uneducated southerner. You're the racist for assuming it's about race. How do you like them apples, sweet cheeks?

LJR - You are clearly an ignorant, self-righteous, conceited fool. You may even have the "god complex" you try to foist on others.

I worked for over a decade at one of the most liberal organizations in the CITY where I live. I worked shoulder to shoulder with gays and the like. I only had one problem with one person, one time. Nothing more. I learned that the term "homophobia" is nothing more than a ploy to psychologically intimidate others. In effect, a twisted form of hate speech.

And another thing, before I was born, my parents and other family members were so-o-o sure they were going to have a girl that they bought a bunch of girl toys and things. Then I showed up. I played with the stuff and it didn't turn me into a poofter, ("Rule number one: no poofters" - Monty Python's Bruce Sketch), or do any psychological damage because I was taught that I should just laugh off THEIR foolishness. Why? Because children don't know any better. It's up to the parents to TRAIN the child in the way he or she SHOULD go. Leave the child to fend for itself and you invariably end up with some kind of problem.

The facts are undeniable and the inmates are running the asylum.

Now. I've got better things to do, so I'll leave you to your immature, childish rantings.

As for thinking I'm racist over the Schlitz and BBQ pork rinds, Onematt, it has nothing to do with racism. It has to do with being an uneducated southerner. Uneducated=poor. Poor=having to buy the cheapest stuff one can find to consume while watching NASCAR (i.e. Schlitz beer and pork rinds). Your take on what constitutes masculinity and what boys should be allowed to do and not to do smack of the stance of an uneducated southerner.

You sir, are a bigot. You think that all Southerners that watch NASCAR are poor and uneducated? Really? You think we all drink Schlitz? Which is made in Wisconsin by the way... who is uneducated?

Have you ever seen the true followers of NASCAR? You know the ones... that are in their 250k RV, following the races from track to track? The ones that retired with enough money to own a 250k RV? These are not poor folk. These are not uneducated people...

Now for a little schooling.. not every Southerner watches NASCAR. Not every Southerner is poor and uneducated. And your "Sweet cheeks" comments are getting disgusting.. You are a troll and are arguing just for the sake of it..

Spiddas and ONEMATT.... DFTT

It all comes down to one very simple truth. You're both homophobes, and you're pissed that these parents aren't beating the gay out of their son right now in the hopes that he'll go in the closet, never to come out again. That's what you assume this child is to be dressing the way he does, and it irks you to no end that his parents are okay with it.

no, No, NO!! This boy is 5 Yrs old!! He doesn't know what Gay is, He don't know what straight is. His parents as basically letting him raise himself. Thats WRONG!!! You self "let him be happy with who he is" what if who he is turns out to be a 5 yr old pervert. Or a kid that like to smoke cigarettes. Are they just gonna let him be. I'm no where near a homophobe, i work in an enviorment full of women and gay men, in and envoirment run by women. I wouldn't survive if i was a homophobe.

As for thinking I'm racist over the Schlitz and BBQ pork rinds, Onematt, it has nothing to do with racism. It has to do with being an uneducated southerner. Uneducated=poor. Poor=having to buy the cheapest stuff one can find to consume while watching NASCAR (i.e. Schlitz beer and pork rinds). Your take on what constitutes masculinity and what boys should be allowed to do and not to do smack of the stance of an uneducated southerner. You're the racist for assuming it's about race. How do you like them apples, sweet cheeks?

It was in fact very racist, and you are very judgemental. For your information I am a Dietitian, I got a BS, MS, RD and LD behind my name. I don't like Shlitz, i don't like NASCAR, and I'd prefer spicy pork rinds. Nonetheless, the way you talk says alot about you and your lifestyle. I'm done and moving to a more "structured" debate with someone intelligent.

p.s. Thanks for the heads up Spiddas

mssuzieq,

Where, pray tell, did I say all southerners are uneducated and poor? I said Onematt's take on boys in dresses is like that of an uneducated southerner. Even educated southerners tend to be pretty conservative, but the uneducated southerners are probably the most conservative people in this country.

Also, another thing to consider is that the uneducated do, indeed, tend to be poor. And in the south, where will-to-work is pretty much the rule of thumb, uneducated southerners tend to be far poorer than their counterparts up north or in other areas of the country.

I'm not stereotyping here, except for the idea that uneducated, poor southerners drink nasty beer and eat nasty snacks while watching NASCAR, but let's face it, it's actually more common than to just be a stereotype.

By the way. I'm gay a southerner. And I'm educated. And I'm decently well-off as a result of my education. And I know Schlitz is made in Wisconsin. Milwaukee, to be exact. It's "the beer that made Milwaukee famous." How's that for uneducated? (Almost all big-brand beers are made anywhere but the south, by the way, so trying to say I'm mistaken about Schlitz being consumed en masse in the south was actually the error. But nice try.)

But, beyond that, even, I believe in the right to bear arms, and I believe in government keeping its nose out of peoples' business as long as they're not hurting anyone else. Yet, as such, I'm also equally about freedom of speech and expression. I'm not like all these other people who pick and choose which parts of the constitution to uphold and which to ignore, much the way they do with their bibles while they're at it. Either you uphold all civil rights, or none at all. But, being from (and still in) the south, I'm intimately familiar with its culture and those who constitute/perpetuate it, and if I want to trash-talk it, I sure as hell can and will, since that culture commits more infringements upon peoples' civil rights than any other area of the country.

Onematt,

What if he decides to smoke? Okay. You just cemented what I've already suspected. You're missing the entire point of this. Smoking is harmful to one's health, as well as to the health of others. Wearing a dress, on the other hand, is harmful to NO ONE'S health. If it were, we wouldn't allow girls to wear them, either. You're comparing one's decision to wear pink to one's decision to drive drunk. What the @!$%# is wrong with you? Seriously!

And how do you get that my comment about you drinking Schlitz and eating pork rinds is racist? It has absolutely nothing to do with race...only income and geographical culture, which, among the culture I referenced (uneducated southerners), there's a huge propensity to think boys who choose to do effeminate things are unnatural, wrong, evil, etc., much as you seem to. I get the suspicion, though, from your touchiness and your insistence that it's about race, that you're of African descent, and you assume everything is about race. That, sir, does indeed make you a racist.

The worst that can be said about me is that I'm an elitist, and while I'd disagree, at least being an elitist is only to harbor disdain for others' choices not to better themselves and make valuable contributions to society, rather than harboring disdain for people for innate attributes over which they've no control, like race and sexual orientation/gender identity, the latter of which you seem to concern yourself with a bit too much.

Did anyone even stop to think that there may be some underlying issues in why this young boy wants to dress up this way?

It's really simple, it's because his parents encouraged it. Like you said, the kid is 5... at that age, he's playing to what his parents encourage.

His parents didnt force him to do it. The mom even said she tried to redirect him when he first brought it up. The family supports what he likes to do...that's different from encouragement.

I'm sorry but I don't believe that they didn't encourage it. The kid is 5, not 25. 99% of what kids do at that age is done to please the parents. You can play games with semantics until you're blue in the face but it's not going to change my opinion that the kid is doing it because the parents encourage it.

Why are we tiptoeing around this like nobody sees the big pink elephant in the corner?

This is great as far as I can see. It makes a clear case that being gay isn't a choice but is an innate characterstic. This little guy is expressing that for which he can't even put a name to due to his immaturity and age.....but he is clearly a child who is gay. No overt choice was made.....just instinct and an expression of what is natural to him.

I applaud his family for opening up their story to others who question homosexuality and it's origins. This takes courage and complete acceptance on his parents part to say he is loved and honored regardless of his external costumes and innate likes.

They are leading by example of what it's like to be a decent person.

This is great as far as I can see. It makes a clear case that being gay isn't a choice but is an innate characterstic. This little guy is expressing that for which he can't even put a name to due to his immaturity and age.....but he is clearly a child who is gay.

Um, cross-dressing and being gay are two completely different things. This story has nothing to do with homosexuality at all. Furthermore, at that age, it's perfectly natural for kids of any gender to play dress-up. Especially when their parents encourage it.

I agree with your excellent assessment that this child’s actions don’t require parental sanctions which strengthen his behavior, as much as they indicate a direr necessity for psychological guidance. However, we differ on “alternate life style” as I don’t believe in alternate as much as a psychologically motivated deviant behavior sanctioned by public tolerance. This situation as a whole represents the same situation confronting these particular parents as it does the community at large, its just larger in scale and scope, much like an iterative fractal.

Nicely stated, Ray.

psychologically motivated deviant behavior sanctioned by public tolerance.

I'm going to have to remember that one.

How is this behavior deviant?

Bullying behavior - deviant and psychologically motivated. Hurting animals, the same. Sexual assault, same.

Liking pink and sparkly things...not really deviant. Damn the public for their tolerance of a boy's liking of all things pink and sparkly!!

I'm sure there are more deviant things parents have to worry about than that.

Tina, and while emotionally overindulgent parenting may appease the parent as well as the child, it is also a pathway to a never ending narcissistic adolescents.

They didn't give him a cell phone Ray...they let him wear a dress ;) There are a few black and white thinkers here. They seemingly interpret this family's support in letting their son wear pink dresses means they will always say yes to every whim.

Who does that?! I guess every parent on here does?? I say yes to my kids sometimes, and sometimes I say no. Duh...don't we all...lol So they said yes to this. That doesn't mean they are going to let him have a gun, get tattooed, or smoke crack when he's 9 or something...geez...what's wrong with you people thinking that you can predict another family's future?

You wouldn't model yourselves that way....why would you think someone else would? Oh I get it...because you would never be open-minded enough to let your son wear pink, or a dress if he really wanted to (like this boy). Well...I guess that means your kids would definitely not follow a psychopathic highway.

Hate to tell you, but if your kid was on that path, not allowing him to be pink and sparkly at the age of 5 will not change that in his future.

Tina, its human nature for a parent to want better for their child than they had it themselves. The danger in this philosophy is, as a parent, you can’t give qualities like, intestinal fortitude, self esteem, and a sense of morality, as a parent you can only encourage/discourage their individual development. These characteristics have to be built bit by bit by the individual child. Allowing a child to behave as they please is not parenting, its babysitting. If you have to buy a child’s love by favoring their every whim, its not the child’s best interest you favor, its your own sensitivity you are appeasing.

Exactly, so don't appease EVERY whim. That's what I said. Idividuality does not come from a parent telling a child how to be, what to think, what to like and dislike....they will figure that out on their own. And at the age of 5 a child is quite capable of saying whethor or not they are happy or sad, if they like dolls or trucks, dresses or overalls. By mom and dad telling them they are wrong to like the things they express, they instill confusion.

Why is this such a hard concept for people to grasp. You tell a child weapons are wrong for a reason...what's your valid reason for telling a child liking pink is "wrong"? Because society will laugh at him?

Sorry, but that is not wrong. It's a parent not wanting to be embarassed.

Tina,

Amen. Unfortunately, I've already stated all this and more, and all it's gotten me were the above responses that were, first and foremost, clear evidence that these people can't be reasoned with, and almost as importantly, sexist and homophobic almost in the extreme. They're gonna be tough ones to crack, if it's even possible to do so. Best to just accept that this child's parents, at least, love and support him in his development into an individual that's not doing anything to hurt anyone else. His parents aren't the "you're going to do this just 'cause I said so, with no valid reason for it other than I've made up my mind that this is how you're going to act, even though the way you want to act doesn't actually hurt anyone" type, and for that, I applaud them.

Pulling rules and regulations out of your ass when they do nothing to actually benefit society is the behavior of dictators and tyrants. My best advice, I guess, is that, if these people have such a problem with what this kid's parents are doing, then they'd do well to move to, say, North Korea or Zimbabwe. Those societies seem much more their speed. Then, they can leave the rest of us true Americans to make sure this country stays a free society founded on peoples' rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness--rights these other people seem hell-bent on destroying.

What I find most interesting about this is the double standard that says it is acceptable, even cute and occasionally admirable for little girls to dress in boys clothes and be interested in sports, cars, bugs, etc. while if a boy likes sparkly pink things it's a bloody controversy.

So it's clear that RAY is of the school that you don't encourage your child to be an individual and to express your ideas and thoughts........that is unless it's socially acceptable to do so.

That if they are left handed you are to break them of that individual habit and force them to be right handed. If they innately like pink you must force them to like blue if they are male.......but female are able to prefer both equally wiothout prejudice.

Sure...that makes sense.

Break a youngster's will and spirit to conform to your preference because their individuality offends your sense of right and wrong....even though in doing so you will assist in creating a timid, unsure and insecure young person who is taught early on to be a conformist despite your independence and free mind.

So it's clear that RAY is of the school that you don't encourage your child to be an individual and to express your ideas and thoughts........that is unless it's socially acceptable to do so.

You had a freudellin slip there... and it's right on the money... parents encourage their kids to express the parents' ideas and thoughts. That's exactly right. How profound you can be in your most freudellin of ways.

Z1.....

You may want to reread what I posted.

"your" is in reference to the childs ideas and thoughts.....not the parents. No Freudian slip.

cmb20, you might try re-reading it yourself... you established that the pronoun "your" is in reference to the parents when you use it earlier in the sentance: "you don't encourage your child" therefore when you use "your" later in the same sentance: "to express your ideas" you are referring to the parents' ideas... if you wanted it to refer to the child's own ideas it would have read: "to express his or her ideas"

Z1P2,

I suggest you obtain a dictionary as soon as you can.

Semantics aside...the "your" is and was intended for the child...not the parents. You spinning it's intention doesn't negate that fact.

Encouraging, teaching and caring for your child is a parents responsibility and right. Parenting style and content will always be different among the parents...but nature is always in the forefront. Innate characteristics are seen before any influenced teachings may ever take hold.

A young boy expressing his likes/dislikes for something considered to be feminine is his innate judgement.......it was predetermined. For you to think otherwise is obtuse and I suggest you read up on the development of children before you speak further.

I know you didn't intend to say it the way you did... but the way you said it was correct rather than the way you meant it... that's why it's called a freudelin slip! You're making a fool of yourself trying to argue that... and voting up your own comments doesn't make you seem any more right by the way.

All that aside... I suggest you realize that there is no gay gene and there is no cross-dressing gene and unless and until someone finds one and can prove it, you can not win any argument that homosexuality or cross-dressing are nature rather than nurture. Only FACTS can win arguments not hunches and you're a fact short of being able to win your argument.

Ok...Z1P...I can't take it anymore...since you are so big on semantics already -

until someone finds one and can prove it

You said it. So stop contending that there "is no gay gene" until someone proves there is not one. Oi.

Zippy...........

"There is no gay gene".....? are you sure about that? Are you a genetic biologist? There are many scientists out there that would beg to differ, not to mention homosexual people.

Are you also saying there is no "straight gene" ? That would mean that we all chose our sexual preference. That everyone had an affiliation for both sexes but we made an overt choice to be act upon an attraction for one sex only. Sounds a bit absurd doesn't it. I no more chose who I was sexually attracted to than a gay person did. The only choice I had was if I would act upon my innate desire.

This little kid is acting out his innate desires for a clothing style.....he has no preconceived ideas about socially acceptable styles according to ones sex.

You seem very ignorant to the facts of human developement. You also seem naive in the fact that all kids are not the same .

I suggest you look inward to find the insecurities that you seem to project. You really have no idea of the world around you and the vast difference in human responses. You are either very young or very sheltered. Get over yourself.

You said it. So stop contending that there "is no gay gene" until someone proves there is not one. Oi.

That is not how science, or life for that matter, works.

There are many scientists out there that would beg to differ

Really? They have found a gay gene? That'd be BIG news that would be published in EVERY scientific magazine if it were true... the fact that it hasn't been is why I know it's not true.

 not to mention homosexual people.

No offense, but I couldn't care less what sexual orientation a genetic scientist is... the only thing that matters to this conversation is whether or not a gay gene has been found.

Are you also saying there is no "straight gene" ?

That's correct. There is no sexual orientation gene that has ever been discovered.

That everyone had an affiliation for both sexes but we made an overt choice to be act upon an attraction for one sex only

It doesn't necessarily have to be an overt choice... just like with your favorite flavor of ice-cream, it could be a subconscious choice that you are consciously aware of... but either way, just like there is no rocky-road gene, there also isn't a sexual preference gene.

The only choice I had was if I would act upon my innate desire.

Just because something is an innate desire does not automatically mean that it's a genetic trait.

This little kid is acting out his innate desires for a clothing style.....he has no preconceived ideas about socially acceptable styles according to ones sex.

No but his parents do and the kid is undoubtedly responding to the social cues he is recieving from his parents. Kids don't grow up in a total vacuum you know.

You seem very ignorant to the facts of human developement.

I understand that you're short on facts so you need to resort to personal attacks... but considering that you're the one who is pretending that kids grow up in a total vacuum so that you can fantisize about a sexual orientation gene that has never been discovered by scientists, I think you would be better served by coming up with a different personal attack.

I suggest you look inward to find the insecurities that you seem to project.

I have no insecurities... nor is it an insecurity to recognize the scientific facts of a situation. You on the other hand, do seem to have some insecurities... you for some strange reason that I haven't figured out yet, seem to feel like you need to justify your sexual orientation to the world. I find that fascinating however, and if you want to take a shot at explaining why you feel a need to justify your personal preferences to others, I'd be all ears. Otherwise, I guess we could pick this conversation back up if and when genetic scientists discover a gender orientation gene... I won't hold my breath for that though, since the human genome has already been mapped.

You are really one of the most absurd posters I have encountered here.

Copy and paste seems to be more your forte, I suggest you stick to that instead of posting on someone elses sexuality.

Check your reading comprehension . There are MANY scientists, biologists, sociologist, anthropologist......ect. that believe homosexuality is genetically based. READ UP! Like many other genetic findings ....like the breast cancer gene, sickle cell, down syndrome, celiac and so many more- time will reveal. No where did I say it was proven or documented as truth yet. I said the scientific community believes there is a genetic componenet. Many human traits, characteristics and

Side note:

I don't have to justify my sexuality...no one cares about or attacks a straight person.

There are MANY scientists, biologists, sociologist, anthropologist......ect. that believe homosexuality is genetically based

And if they ever actually FIND a sexual orientation gene, then they'll have a valid argument on their hands... until then, it's nothing but opinion... and opinion is not the same as fact.

Like many other genetic findings ....like the breast cancer gene, sickle cell, down syndrome, celiac and so many more- time will reveal. No where did I say it was proven or documented as truth yet.

I am not a psychic, and neither are you. Therefore it would be foolish at best to base your factual basis upon findings that haven't occurred yet.

I don't have to justify my sexuality...no one cares about or attacks a straight person.

So you feel the need to justify someone else's sexual preference to the world? That's even more bizarre and fascinating.

PS - I couldn't care less what sexual orientation you are. That has nothing to do with this conversation.

PPS - Yes I have very unique views, thank you for noticing that I'm not a mindless zombie following only the opinions offered by political party or church leaders. God wouldn't have given me a brain if He didn't want me to use it to form my own opinions and positions. For the most part I tend to lean libertarian... that is to say... as long as something doesn't impeade the rights of others it should be legal nor should it be anybody's business.

Just don't try to convince me that there's a gay gene when none has been discovered yet.

yawn

This mother is obviously attention seeking; she was right when she said the issue was with her. I would like to say this to her:

Your child is a boy. All of our children must conform and deal with societal norms. Yes it is alright to like pink and purple, but not to wear a dress or hair accessories. Why does this trouble some people or bother them enough to create gender confusion in their children. If you want your child to be teased and ridiculed and develop identity confusion and depression let him dress like a girl and continue to foster and support his deviant choices.

This family also seems to value the child's immediate wants over all others. "Do whatever makes you happy." Which is obviously the best advice you can give your children. (In case it isn't translating I'm being sarcastic). Your child's immediately gratified wants of dressing like a girl and loving pink sparkles are the most important personality traits to foster.

Why don't you try talking to your child about what societal norms are and why it is alright to feel girlie and love pink and sparkles if you are a boy, but not alright to wear a dress. You are turning your child into a confused mess who will likely wonder as an adult why you were such a horribly misguided parent.

first of all, there has been proof of differences in brain structure between gays and straights. just puttin that out there. i am a lesbian, and i will tell you i didnt choose this lifestyle. it has come with many tough times and despair and hatred before i reached where i am today...why would i have chosen that? i knew i was "different" at a very young age. whether or not dyson turns out gay will have nothing to do with the clothes he wears...he is either gay or he isnt. at least with hisparents support he wil have the freedom to come out comfortably, something a lot of us dont get to do. i have always worn boys clothes:::i have short spiky hair, i wear only mens attire, i use mens toiletry products. that is who i am. i hope this mom's book opens peoples eyes to acceptance and more people get the opportunity to be who they are. stop the bigotry, stop the hatred. straight or gay, we are all human. there are more important issues to worrry about.

man this thread is like watching some crazy tennis match using grenades instead of tennis balls.

I don't see an issue necessarily with letting your kid express their interests at a young age. Kids don't see things the way adults do. Adults are tense and paranoid and hypersexualize everything a child does. Kids think a lot differently than adults, maybe because society hasn't had time to cripple their minds yet?

I do, however, see a problem with broadcasting your child's differences for the entire world to see. That is the real issue here.

Who decided what was "acceptable" for boys to wear and girls to wear? Up until relatively recently (in the scope of history), there were no such thing as pants. Everyone wore robes.

Furthermore, we are born naked. Boys don't come out of the womb in blue pants, and girls aren't born in pink dresses. Society has made us think that certain things are only acceptable for certain people, forgetting one very important thing: WE ARE ALL HUMAN.

Really Carlos? Your kidding me right. There are more things in the world for you to worry about. Allowing a child to grow by expressing themselves is the best you can do for your child. Were you not allowed to do as you wanted when you were a child. Its not as if the boy is doig drugs and she is taping or writing about it. Its a child exploring what he likes....

Rene, I agree with you. There are many people commenting on this story as if it's "doomsday"! LOL! I can't belief the hate spewing from some of these people mouths. Some of these peole hate homosexuals; so they attack everything believed to be associated with "gay". When I'm sure many of these people have "DL" family members; friends; co-workers; neighbors! If every gay person came out of the "closet", (including me), this country would be shocked!

I don't look at it as being sick I am glad that the parent is supportive of the child, I am just thinking he is a little young to make decisions of that nature, I do believe that as an adult that decisions like that are okay and maybe go as far as to say as inside the comfort of their home, but at school and other public places can create harmful scenarios to this child, hate crimes etc.

People keep saying he's too young to be making the decision to dress the way he does. Tell me. Should we also never allow our kids to choose which comic book heroes, cartoons or other images they want on their shirts, backpacks, etc? Should we say they're too young to make the decision to wear Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles instead of Wolverine, and that we're going to make them wear what we think they should be into, instead?

This is just another version of that. Instead of wearing t-shirts and jeans, he wants to wear dresses. He's plenty old enough to make that decision, since he's obviously old enough to care enough about them to want to wear them. That's like saying he's too young to know he likes ice cream or hamburgers or what-not.

And to Carlos, were I this child's dad and you dared say that to him, or even to me in front of him, you'd find out really fast just why you should be afraid of gays.

L.J. - Your comparison isn't comparing apples to apples. This is far deeper than deciding between which cartoon character t-shirt you want to wear. This situation is about social norms and gender confusion, a much more serious issue than simply fashion or choosing what you want for lunch.

This boy was born this way. I have taught many children from pre-school to high school. SO WHAT!!! You love your children unconditionally. I come across this all the time. The children do not seem to be harmed by this. I loved doing boy things when I was younger. Yet I am happy and have a wonderful family of my own. I bought my own children non traditional (boy/girl) toys. None of us turned gay...and if they did...I would still love them. Let the boy be happy. Life is short. Thank God he was born into that family.

Elizabeth,

White people are afraid of blacks only because they're taught to be. Straight people are afraid of gays only because they're taught to be. Men are sexist toward women only because they're taught to be. Christians are afraid of demonic possession only because they're taught to be. Boys are afraid of wearing traditionally girls' clothing only because they're taught to be.

So, why do we frown upon racism, sexism, etc., but we still choose to accept hatred of gays and those who are either transgendered or who simply choose to express a gender identity different from what's in their pants?

You either accept all discrimination as okay, or you denounce all discrimination as unacceptable. If you want to draw arbitrary lines, I encourage you to stick to the equally childish activity of fingerpainting, where you can draw all the arbitrary lines you want.

Discrimination?????? Do you think an individual is discriminated against because he wears a mohawk or unusual peircing? Do you think an individual is discriminated against for wearing Michigan Wolverine clothes at a Buckeye game? I believe every choice we make have consequences (Whether good or bad). Discrimination is far more than making a choice of what to wear?

The article said the boy likes the colors pink and red, with shiny stuff. perhaps the desire to wear dresses is the fact that there are few boy's clothes that are pink or red with sparklies. Most kids, boys and girls, are attracted to shiny things. Add to that a color that pleases the eye, and you get a princess boy.

Though not known for sure, gay is a genetic trait, not something learned. if this child is gay, it is just manifesting it's self early. And he may not really be gay, just mis-bodied. See Chaz Bono.

JStevens,

You have freedom of expression, and if someone mistreats you for exercising that right, they are guilty of civil rights violations, which are generally a federal offense if done so in a certain way. So, though it's not discrimination to mistreat someone for expressing a certain opinion or idea, it's still every bit as illegal. Saying you disagree with them is also your right under the First Amendment. Verbally or physically harassing/assaulting them for it, however, is not.

That answer your question?

I remember that the next time I go to Cleveland.

LJ,

Thank you for being a calm and intelligent voice in these discussions. I agree with you 100% - especially with the one just above. Why do people feel the need to pigeon-hole children to be what they feel the child should be? If people would stop judging others, then bullying wouldn't be near what it is today.

Listen,

People are going to always have their own opinion regardless of what other people say, that's the way it is. My opinion on the matter is it's wrong. The boy just turned 5. He's still at an age where he needs to be taught which way to go. Everybody seems to think that the boy is gay because he likes dresses and the colors pink and purple. Prince do, too! lol. He is too young to have a sexual preference. Back in the day, little boys thought girls were disgusting and grew up to love them even more than themselves. That's the way it's been. Nowadays, people are getting too loose. It looks like perversion.

Sick? The kid should be removed? wow what an un-educated answer and nothing to support your response. Its people like you that are the reason we have so much hate and misunderstanding, not only in this country but the world. God have mercy on your soul, and i think thats to much to ask for a person like you.

L. J. Rhodes wrote "you'd find out really fast just why you should be afraid of gays."

Why? Are gay men more violent as a class?

@ Common Sense

You can't "teach" a child, no matter how young, to be gay or straight. That is the kind of archaic thought that religious right wing conservatives have been trying to foist on society to justify their contention that being gay is a choice and therefore may be unlearned. Gay to straight conversion programs (aka, brain washing) simply do not work. Being gay is not and never has been a choice.

Vincent,

No, we're not. We're just forced to learn to fight better than straights, 'cause we've had to fight off scores of them throughout our lives, sometimes many of them at once (since gay-bashers and general homophobes are notoriously chicken@!$%# to begin with, which is why they usually only attack in schools like piranhas), so when the time comes to kick some ass, we're just better at it. ;-)

L.J.

I understand that your life must have been hard! But you speak of skin color a lot. Are you a black man from the south? Because I am a very pale white woman from the north, and I was never taught to be afraid of a black person because they were black! And I was bullied for needing a tan. Times have changed! I have 2 black brother-in-laws and 4 darker skinned nephews. I can’t wait for the day to come when skin color is no longer a question that needs to be filled out on paperwork! I am American, I am multicultural, and skin color does not define me or my family!

As for this little boy, if he had older sisters that dressed him up like this, nobody would care. So why make a big thing out of it? Just because he likes pink and red doesn’t mean he will be “gay” either. I love the color Blue and cars that doesn’t mean I’m “gay”. However, if when he’s older, he likes men over women, hopefully the laws have changed and he can marry his significant other! I am glad the boy can choose for himself, but I think the family shouldn’t have exploited him like this. I don’t think he was camera shy, I think he was embarrassed. They are making this clothing preference bigger than it needed to be. Enjoy him now the way he is because he is only this age once!!!!

LJ,

I have never read a comment board where I have agreed entirely with someone...until today. Thank you for being calm and intelligent. No sarcasm here! I'm just glad there is a voice of reason!

THANK YOU MC! In reading these posts, I have been thinking the same thing. The ignorance out there really bothers me. I appreciate your thoughts!

ME,

I'm a white southerner who, along with my gay brothers and sisters, sees blacks treated just as badly by whites as gays are by straights almost every day. Whether it's listening to affluent white people complain about all the "@!$%# kids" taking over all the city's schools and forcing those white people to move to another town to get their kids away from all the "no-good thugs", or backwoods rednecks bitching about guys with their pants hanging low, even going so far as to get pretty up-in-their face about it, blacks are still pretty horribly treated in the south.

Sadly, though, even blacks frequently bash gays, even though you'd think a group of people who're intimately familiar with the receiving end of discrimination would have more compassion and understanding. But, even more sadly, there's no accounting for the depth and breadth of human ignorance and even stupidity, which seriously limit their ability to see correlations between their bad behavior and the bad behavior of others.

That said, I mention race, gender and other innate traits so often because they parallel sexual orientation in that they're not chosen, but are actually there from birth. To mistreat people for being gay really is every bit as wrong as it is to mistreat people for being black, female, red-headed, etc.

It's my continued hope that the ignorance and stupidity I mentioned earlier will some day yield to just a tad more enlightenment that will allow them to see how absolutely monstrous they've been regarding sexual orientation, perceived gender identity, etc. All the necessary cognitive abilities are there. People are just being taught from birth by their parents not to use them.

Rather than rail at this kid's parents for teaching him it's okay to be himself, why not rail at the parents who teach their kids that it's not?

And to Harvard,

I'm flattered. :)

L.J.

I agree with you 100%. Those who express themselves should not be the ones punished!! Those that cannot accept others for who they are need to move to a different country. America is the country of the free! I have family overseas making sure of that for me! And if people don’t like the variety that comes with America, they shouldn’t be here!

This child is a victim of his environment. He's wearing this stuff because it's in the programming he is allowed to watch. I'm willing to bet many of his favorite cartoon characters are princesses from Disney movies. As a 5 year old, I doubt it has yet occurred to him that he is a boy and those characters are girls. And that's where the parents come in. They are supposed to clear up any confusion he may have so he doesn't develop incorrect perceptions about reality/life. But, we all know that hasn't happened because this forum exists and is getting ever so lengthy.

John Doe,

Unless boys are born wearing jeans and girls are born wearing tiaras (and woe to any mother who has to birth one of those!), boys are still boys even if they wear dresses, just as girls are still girls even if they wear ball caps.

People say boys wearing dresses is unnatural, but in reality, wearing any clothing at all is unnatural if you think about it, since we're not born with them. Once you make the choice to wear clothes, what you choose to wear is no more or less natural than anyone else's choice, and kids should never be forced to wear only a certain kind of clothing based solely on their gender.

Kids understand gender and gender identity/roles much earlier than most of their parents want to realize or accept. When boys want to be boys, they mimic other boys. When they want to be girls, they mimic girls. The same way for girls--though girls admittedly have much more latitude where that's concerned. That's why so many boys who grow up to be gay or even transgendered started exhibiting a propensity to identify with girls more than boys at a very early age.

Some have posited that he's too young to be gay or to know he is, but I knew at four that I was. No, I didn't know what it was called. I just know I've had these feelings my whole life. And, yes, there were times I dressed up in girls' clothes and makeup, because I felt drawn to being what I knew other boys wanted, however fruitless my efforts were in becoming such. I went back to just being a "regular" boy, but not after much ridicule and even some pretty severe beatings from dear ol' pops.

This isn't to say this is the reasoning behind every 5-year-old's decision to wear girls' clothes, but it just goes to demonstrate that there're any number of reasons why boys do such things. One thing that's pretty common, though, is a 5-year-old's ability to understand that he's taking on not just the appearance of girls, but also their roles, and any attempt by his parents to prevent him from doing this will also tell him that he's wrong to feel the way he does, which might very well be a feeling of gayness.

This is the very first seed of self-destruction that gets planted in most gay kids who go on to commit suicide after too much bullying from their peers, since they've had to bear the burden from their earliest memories of knowing that even their parents loathe them, which, when coupled with the knowledge that everyone outside their home does, too, leaves them with seemingly no other option but to take their leave from life all too soon, because a child generally doesn't know where else to go or what else to do at an age when mom and dad are the only protection and ability to survive he knows, and he can't even rely on them.

Well I'll just say this. I'm not sure how you knew you were gay at 4 but I did many the things this boy is doing at 5 and probably some things you did at 4. I didn't know what gay was. And you're right, I knew the difference between boy and girl genders but only because it was taught to me and I was exposed to certain things. I didn't grow up gay and I'm still upset that these parents haven't spoken to the boy. I'm not trying to condemn gayness because I happen to be in a relationship with a woman that many people would frown upon because we're different colors (god forbid that conversation start up). I just want people, parents especially, to stop letting things happen because it's fun or it's perceived to be innocent. They don't have to put the kid down for wearing dresses, but don't tell him that boy's can be princesses when the very definition of a princess has nothing whatsoever to do with being male. Tell kids the truth from the beginning and they won't have to worry about what people think later on in life because they'll be comfortable enough with themselves to not care. The boy doesn't irritate me. His so-called "role models" do. And that's from the heart because it's from experience. I wore my mothers heels and played with Barbie. I'm thankful my relatives were caring enough to allow me to play but also to allow me to have a firm understanding of what was what.

John Doe, teaching a young child that wearing certain kinds of clothes is somehow wrong or insidious is no different than telling a young man that the woman he loves is wrong or insidious simply because of the color of her skin or the place on the map she hales from. You should know better.

gay is a genetic trait, not something learned.

No it isn't. There is no gay gene. That would run counter to evolution.

Zippy, I disagree. If that were true we could debate that there is no mutation for genetic disease also. Not that being gay should be equated with mutation, but if being gay was geneologically linked, and straight people held the model perfectly evolved genes so to speak, then it is possible there's a gene that's slightly off kilter in people who are gay.

Tina, mutations occur at a rate of approximately 1 in 100,000. The rate of homosexuality if far, far, far higher, meaning that it cannot be explained by genetic mutations that would serve no evolutionary advantage. Nice try but sorry, being gay is not genetic. Nor is it a disease. Nor is it abnormal.

In my opinion, I think society needs to get past the idea that homosexuality needs to be justified. It's a personal choice that doesn't trample on anybody else's rights, and in a free society, that is enough. No further justification is needed.

Are you a genetic scientist?

You are right, it does not need to be justified. However letting a boy dress in pink dresses will not "make" him be gay either.

Are you a genetic scientist?

No, just someone who took a biology course once, and that knows that no gay gene has ever been discovered.

However letting a boy dress in pink dresses will not "make" him be gay either.

Absolutely correct. It does make him a cross-dresser though. Cross-dressing and homosexuality are two completely different things (hence the two different words in the English language). But that is also perfectly normal for kids his age to play dress-up with either gender's clothes. It's also perfectly normal for kids his age to "play doctor"... it's not sick, it's just what kids do around that age... hopefully the parents will teach him that "playing doctor" isn't appropriate until he and the "patient" are both old enough to legally consent.

Are you kidding me? HIs dad is just as proud of his son and any man. His father is man Enough to allow his son to be himself. Good for the family for allowing this. Next you will be saying that Girls can not were pants for they are too Boyish or women are not allowed to wear suits for they are too manly? When are people going to relax a little. This boy is not bring the end of days. He is having fun. Just remember when you point a finger at some one there are 3 pointed back at yourself.

The child choses their likes and dislikes from the moment they are born. The parent's should not take blame for something like this. BIG DEAL!!! So he wants to be a Princess...what do you want dad to beat the pink out of him?

Whatever.There is a huge difference if he wanted to a dress or a girl's shirt or pants or vice versa for girls.But a dress is taking it way too far. If the kid decides to wear a dress after he hits high school,no problem.But NOT when he is 5.Like i said ,i really think that parents are trying to make a buck of their children and i think its pretty sleezy.

Male and female infants are put in dresses ( makes it easier to get to the diaper ). Girls today wear boy's underwear, jeans, hats, shirts and shoes. they belch, fart, and swear like a boy. But that's ok, it's just girls being boys.

Ms. Stienem (sp) and her friends have distanced themselfs from the women's movement due to the change in advocacy. When it started, women's lib was " we are equal to men", now they want to be the same. ladies, you can be equal, yet feminine, equal, yet pretty.

In my opinion, most of the weight problems young girls have today is due to their taking birth control pills at a young age ( under 18). The pill makes you retain water, and causes the body to change as if pregnant, thus causing the pelvic cradle to expand, thus creating wider hips. If you are going to bump uglies, rule 1. ; no condom, no nookie. Talk to your doctor about an IUD , just as safe, and no hormones or chemicals.

How do you explain all the fat boys then?

Oh yawn! Skyjuice is right and I'm tired of all these people claiming it's just a kid having fun. YES he is having fun playing dress up. OK we agree with that. Now it's your turn to agree that the parents have a responsibility in helping their child develop the ability to distinguish between what a girl is and what a boy is and how the two are different. It's FUN... you make me sick. It's fun to do 100 mph on the highway. Doesn't necessarily make a decent thing to do though does it. I COULD crash but that doesn't mean I will right? That's your argument for this kid. He COULD grow up and have a twisted perception and gender confusion but that doesn't mean he will so let's leave him alone, right? WRONG!! You stop things before the escalate.

John Doe, you're just making a much bigger deal about this than it is. This little boy is not confused, he's not indecent, he's not being used or twisted by his parents. What you are advocating is shame and fear and conformity despite personal preferences, which is exactly the kind of thing that DOES cause emotional and psychological problems in children as they are growing up.

It seems like the mom or both parents are trying to make a buck off their kids.

I don't agree with anything else in your post but this has a definate ring of truth to it. The kid is only 5 and they're writing books... yeah, they're probably out to make a buck.

Yes, reading the entire thread above, I have to agree with you and say that this is definitely more of a problem with adults not having open minds.

There's a double standard for tomgirls. The normal reaction is: she'll grow out of it. It's not as big a deal for a girl to dress like a boy or a woman to wear men's clothing. In this male centered, macho society, however, little boys are not supposed to dress like little girls.

There are more boys than most think who were "always like that" (the explanation if they don't grow out of dressing like girls) or actually do grow out of it. I think the reason why we haven't heard about that them is because of fear of acceptance and ridicule. Can you imagine our society if more people were accepted for who and what they are rather than what we want and expect them to be?

Possibly there is a double standrard, but I know growing up with one sister and one brother, my brother was always dressed in girls dresses and clothes, it was fun for play. I have tow nepwhews 6 and 9 who also dress up in pink womans disco outfits and princess dresses and we think nothing out it except that they are adorable. Our family was not intending to write a book on this.

I think that there is a strong chance that my daughter really may want to be a boy and I will love her and encourage her all of the way. But I certainly would never exploit her at 5 years old.

I'm sorry I think this little boy is to young to be labeled in anyway. Just sayin

I kinda agree Sharon. Boys can choose their favorite colors and clothes, but I feel like all this media is just drilling it into the little boys head that he need to continue this for the rest of his life.

Some people are gay, and while I don't agree with treating them like a "minority" group and giving them special rights, I think they should be treated like everyone else should be treated-fairly and with love. But this little boy is going to grow up thinking he has to be like this because of all the attention he's getting now. (I know it's a little different for girls) but I was a tomboy growing up and my parents didn't care that I dressed in boyish clothes but they didn't intentionally buy the most boyish things ever for me to make a statement.

I don't think these parents are trying to exploit their child, but that's what I think is happening. He coupd grow out of this stage and then not be so happy that he was all over the news as a little kid who didn't have a choice.

There is a double standard comparing tomboys to princess boys. Consider that some parents give their girls boy names and think it's cute but would never bestow a feminine name on a boy.

Robbie, The mother was simply stating, "her problem" was personal, and she had to overcome her own personal beliefs and attitudes of what she was taught. Only a shallow person would perceive the opposite. She never even brought any issue of not having a daughter, and did not appear to suffer any emotional or mental angst about not having a daughter. And, you are mistaken, part of guidance is helping a child find who they are as a person; and the earlier the better - as studies reflect. The child did not appear to be in distress or under duress. He seemed shy and timid; however, happy. I wish you well.

Anthony, Great Comment! this has nothing to do with the Bible for me (catholic) at that :), Nothing to do with Gay or Lesbian, I have kids (girls) and brothers and sisters, Nothing to do with me being Homophobic (I work in th medical Field) come on!. Everybody who try's to make an excuse for this child and his family's action are doing just that, excuses! It's the media, the stuff they show on tv nowdays are STILL trying to make everyone accept alternative lifestyles.

Come people look down.... whats in your pants is what you are!, It's kinda like a puzzle you know, what fits together is a pefect match. :)

Mr. Nelson, you stated, "I am a father of six...." So, you of all people should understand the importance of individual development. The segment on the Today Show is a vital show. It confronts people like you. I am gay, and I disagreed with the "gay man" as you so pleasantly put it. The person name is Keyari. You and others continuously to display your ignorance by citing your interpretation of the Bible, when there are four or five gods worshipped in the world, and dozens of religions! You stated, "...what they do behind doors is on them...." ON THEM, what?! How about what they do behind closed doors, IS THEIR BUSINESS! Like the sky will fall because two consenting adults engage in sex unlike our hetrosexual counterparts. Oh ye of closed-mindness. Thank God the Bible does exist though; if it didn't I would have longed been stoned! Peace.

C5--

Sounds very cut-and-dry. Since you have all the answers, please tell me: what do you do when you're born with both sets of sex organs "in your pants" as some people are?

Did anyone notice that Anthony said "That's why woman shouldnt raise a boy"? Have you heard anything more ridiculous? So women who give birth to boys should hand them over to the father to be raised? Or did Anthony somehow miss the father in that whole story and assume she's raising Dyson by herself? If Anthony don' know what he watchin, who care what he sayin?

And please, C5, you work in the medical field mopping floors. No doctor or nurse could ever be as stupid as you are. "What's in your pants is what you are!" Retard...then you're about 50 cents and a ball of lint.

Anthony-

You're probably one of those sexist idiots who keeps his wife barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen and you probably teach all of your children to be as close-minded and mentally defunct as you.

As for "That's why woman shouldn't raise a boy" (other than the bad grammar; the plural of woman is "women"), both boys and girls need both male and female influences in their lives. Ideally, it would be the parents, but that isn't always the case, nor is it always possible. In many societies, in the case of death of one parent, other members of the family assist in raising the child so they are still influenced by both genders. There are gay couples raising kids, one or both of them may have siblings who are supportive enough to give their kids that other gender influence. Overall though, kids need STRONG role models, regardless of gender. And Anthony needs to wake up and realize this is 2012, not 1952, and see a doctor about his cranial-rectal inversion.

Science Mom, my hat off to you! Finally, a person with a reasonable argument, over the Bible-thumping fanatics these issues seem to draw. Thanks!

ditto what jeff said. I'm tired of reading about other people's ignorant comments without reason to back their point.

Sunny, I agree, the twirling was a bit too much!

I really like what Sunny had to say. His mother said he became interested in dressing this way when he was 2. I think this was a brief phase which has been continued by the attention received from the mother in writing the book and taking him shopping, etc. He could have been encouraged to play dress up in a more gender appropriate way. He could be encouraged to express his love for vibrant color in art and craft projects. Bringing this into such a public forum and putting it into printed pages is forcing him to say that this must be who he is because the adults say so. He looked very constrained and unhappy for a five year old child. I thought he seemed insecure and embarrassed.

Im wit u call the CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES

I totally agree, the child should be removed from the home. He didn't seem like it was something that HE wanted to do, it was something that his MOTHER wants him to do so that she could write a book and get rich off her son !!!

Although I don't agree with the parents' approach to this, I don't think he should be removed from the home. He is not in physical danger and appears to be taken care of and loved. There are far more children in far more danger. There's no need to add another child to the foster mix who doesn't really need to be there.

Agree!!!!

and thats different from john and kate plus 8 how?

do you people even know what happens to kids that end up in foster care? not all foster families are nice and sweet. I think this boy has a caring mother. I've worked with patients that were raised in a foster home and guess what, from all of their experiences they were maltreated and badly sexually, physically and emotionally abused. I'm not saying this is true for all foster families but unfortunately there are those people that take abuse of the system to get the checks from the government for their own use.

OMG John Francis! Are you for real? Shame on you! He's just a little kid, on National TV, 5yrs old.....I could go on and on.....Ignorance breeds all kinds of negativity.

Anthony Nelson: "I'm wit u! call da PO-leece! An git me a bottle a Ripple, Dummy!"

"Oh lordy, da boy dun put on a dress! I'm comin Elisabeth!"

Wow, Anthony. I also suppose real men can't spell or form a competent sentence?

anthony, oh boy where do i start..... society tells people to wear pink for girls and blue for boys. it doesn't define a person. have you heard of don't judge a book by its cover before? i'm a visiting nurse. I go to very scary neighborhoods and i had this fear in my head that bec i was in a certain neighborhood and bec people with black skin were dangerous i had to be very careful. Now I know better, my patients whether they wear good or tattered clothes, whether black or white, they all want the same thing compassion and understanding.

BTW, i dont think anyone needs a father to show a kid how to be a "man" or a mother to show a kid how to be a "woman". I hope you give your kids their own individuality.

For Anthony: Que the theme to Sanford & Son.

"Oh hepp us lord, da boy got femin ways!"

Charlene,

It wouldn't hurt (most) families to get some sort of professional counseling these days, but in addition to slamming the family's choice of supporting him at this early stage of his life, you go and pull the bi-racial card! That is low and very ignorant. in 1983 I lived with a black man for 3 years. His mother was the Regional Director of the NAACP. What you say was relevant back then, but with all the mixed marraiges and racially diverse families some 30 years later, the stigma isn't there except in the minds of the ignorant and racists.

Acceptance of who a child is - what they're nature is - should be the parents role. Teaching them societal norms should be too, but not pressuring them into living them. Societal norms have devolved our people to a huge degree. It's alright for little girls to dress looking like they are 21 and no one says anything. It's alright for our children to bully people they don't thing are suitable. It's alright for our Presidents and Congressmen to have extramarital sexual exploits and have it blasted all over tv. And speaking of tv - have you seen childrens' tv programming lately? Not what I was ever allowed to watch when I was a child.

As for the book - do any of us know this lady well enough to judge if she is trying to exploit the boy or if she truly needed an outlet and was trying to educate the ignorant?

Why aren't we more concerned about the fact that this country is in debt by almost 14 TRILLION DOLLARS and our legislators and leaders are screwing us and our childrens future?!?

Charlene, I feel you may be the bad parent. Even if the child grows to be gay or a cross-dresser, who are you to judge. I commend these parents in letting their son explore his individuality. He will not be suicidal when he is older because of hypoctrits such as yourself. He will have the loving support of his family that will be able to help him and love him unconditionaly. I hope that if any of your children ever come to you and say they are different that you do not judge them pourly. Also, children from mixed races are no longer picked on, well that is, only from grown adults such as yourself that teach their children to be mean and give them troubles. Maybe you should look within your own "glass house".

Darryl...Ludacris is a rapper/actor.
Don't be afraid of fluffy little boys, they can't hurt you.
Little girls wear boys' clothes all the time. They can't hurt you either.
Some little boys call themselves Transformers®...it doesn't mean they can turn into cars.
You would be more useful if you got this upset over parents letting their kids choose from the McDonalds menu.
Correction: You HAD gay friends. Now they've read that you're afraid of fluffy little boys.

Jeff, a grave, underlying issue is not the wearing of the dress; it is the behaviors that are being associated and encouraged with the wearing of the dresses.

Sunny, apparently I did not completely articulate my feelings: I am happy for the child and the parents, and feel the parents are doing their child a justice by not giving in to standards (constraints) this civilization (societal beliefs) has placed on us free-thinking individuals. You only feel the way you feel because of your traditional and environmental learned behaviors, not because you value difference and liberation. So, you said it best, "it is the behaviors that are being associated and encouraged....."

Pease we are not n another country and even if we was it dosnt change the meaning of MAN and WOMAN. Maybe u need to go live were u r comfortable wit.

Jeff- Agreed, the real issue behind this is society, this should neither be a question of how a boy "should" [quote/unquote] dress nor a question of said child's parents' parenting methods. If people were more open-minded and capable of owning an opinion or belief without feeling the need to force it upon others, there would be no societal standard/social norm.

Society is what causes the issues that morph into bigger problems (not to come off as anti-society or whatev.). I feel no one should ever have to feel they need to change themselves to "fit in" and society's true mistake is alienating people until they are uncomfortable with who they are. If we continue as we are, where will originality and uniqueness fit in? I think perfection IS the flaw... maybe we should all be content to be perfect IN our flaws- live and let live as it were... oh now I'm going off on a tangent :P

HA HA HA!!! This Anthony guy is like a cartoon! He's Uncle Ruckus on The Boondocks!

Dat don' change the meanin of a man and a woman! See, da man wear da pants and he say how it go...da woman wear da dress. Iffin dat boy wear a dress, next thing ya knows, he be cookin and payin da bills and raisin his chirren and dat aint right! God made Cain and Abel, not Cain and Mabel! Now where dat woman wit my bourbon?

OMG! Are you sure you are not on the "DL"?! You sound so angry, not to be even related to that famiy. You probably don't even live in the same region as them. However, you said it best: "when we were kids...."; "attack on manhood....." Sound like you haven't grown up, sir.

It's sad that this small child is being exploited for an adult's agenda, nothing more. The child look traumatized and troubled on tv; the mom had to answer for him every time.

I think the mom was wrong in bringing this matter to public attention while her son is still young and growing. He is now going to be stuck with 'Princess Boy' when he's a teenager, when he might not even like this sort of playtime any longer. While I can understand mom's decision to accept his preferences, she shouldn't have put an international spotlight on him. Not till he was old enough to consent to sharing his story while knowing the consequences of going on tv and telling the world that he's a princess. He's too young to understand that and he's also still growing. He may not want to be the 'Princess Boy' next year, much less for the rest of his life.

I, also, have observed that more and more parents today are sitting back and letting the kids do the actual parenting. The brother provided the ultimate counsel here and the reason was to just let him be happy?

If the boy gets bullied for wearing dresses, aren't the bullies just doing it to be happy? Or if a child wants to shoot the neighbor's cat with a BB gun, should the parent just "let him be happy"?

I do agree that we do need to not bully or cast aside people because of their differences, however it is the parents' job and responsibility to step in and guide their children. To do otherwise by simply letting them be happy is outright lazy parenting.

not wearing cloths of the opposite sex (because society says its what you should wear) and shooting a cat with a BB gun are not even in the same ballpark to compare.

Everyone knows that during the embryo stage our children are first female and then the fathers chromesome's determines if the child will be male or stay female.

My point that I am trying to make is this: We were created both male and female and society makes us choose which side to walk on. While it is true that those of us who believe in God know 's that it was God's command for us to go forward and multiply which is impossible to do if you are paired in a same sex relationship, but what about the children that are born and thier parents die during child birth or those whom are abuse and taken from parents who are going to raise them.

While I don't condone same sex relationships I believe that we all of us have our crosses to bare and this may be one for this child and his mother. It is in my humble opinion that the child's parent's should guide thier child better than what they are doing. I probably would let him wear his attire at home until or if he grows out of this stage or not but without some sort of order our world would be chaos.

It doesn't appear that the little boy is happy in the video nor the photo's and even if he were the parent's should not take the pictures to encourage his behavior. Instead they should guide him or find some professional help to see if he is a female trapped in a male body. Or is the mother saying he is a little boy who likes to play dress up but still plays baseball.

NO!! Just say NO! Social issues?? There has to be a line drawn! This unfit mother is using this child for her own agenda. He wants it because it makes him happy?? So do you give him candy for dinner because it makes him happy?? What is wrong with people? Gain acceptance that you are psycho and you need to get help!!

Russ, My bible didn't come with the section of god's laws on clothing. Can I borrow yours? Do I order by prayer or by 800 number? Is shipping free? Will they match Satan's discount of boy's prom dresses?

I think today's parents tackle good vs. evil fashion, maybe they should master the ways of teaching their kids some goddamned manners.

anthony, you sure sound like YOU are the the one in need of counseling here. I'm praying for your children. It's people like you that make other people's lives miserable.

Anthony - I pray for any children you come in contact with. What this mother and father are doing is best for the child. He will grow up the way he is supposed to. Now, your comments about women show you have very definite problems. I'm guessing most women pose a threat to you.

I think Anthonys about to start pounding his pulpit. What a piece of work, I'm sure he does have the upmost and not the utmost respect for women. He clearly is one who has to put everyone else down in hopes of feeling somehow superior. Good luck with that and may god protect your children from your ignorance should you have any of them.

Hee Hee Hee! We need ta git down on are knees and pray! Our Father in heaven...Howard be die name...Save us from deez woman...deez hoes and jezebels dat are turnin our strong young men in ta pansies...!

i dont think God has any control over it. Do you even know what God looks like? Each religion has different views of who or what God is. For all we know God could be a girl or a boy wearing a pink dress. BTW, doesn't Jesus were a white toga.....which is also technically a DRESS?!?!!?!

Diana - what a sad little person you are. If I remember my Bible correctly there is a passage that says "judge not lest ye be judged." Maybe you should just worry about the life you lead and leave others alone. My guess is that God is smiling at the little boy who thinks pink and sparkly is fun.

Diana, your people have been predicting the end of time, constantly, for the last 2,000 years. How much longer will god allow this to continue? Let's assume another 2,000 years since we haven't heard a peep out of him.

Chatter and more chatter. The real news is a woman distraught drove her children into a river and they died. They, the children were not given a choice. Everyone that has any opinion about what a mother does in support of her child's ease and comfort is a plus for the child and you need to evaluate your own parenting period. I have three sons and they are very individual and have been allowed to think, read,discern and make all the choices they want since they came into this world rather I agreed with their decisions or not. Open discussions and awareness of themselves are far more important than what society tries to dictate. Judging others is just a remarkable created folly that makes nothing worthwhile come to be. So let people be who they are and lets just be grateful when parents are not killing their children or beating their spirits out of them.

No, we realized that the bible is merely a work of literature and shouldn't be taken seriously.

No, we realized that the bible is merely a work of literature and shouldn't be taken seriously.

Right.... so then why do so many historians and archaeologists use it for a reference (and accurately, mind you) when comparing with other historical texts of those times? Seems to me like they take it seriously.

It's taken seriously a piece of historical literature. It shouldn't be taken seriously as something to worship.

Why not?

Because it's just a book? It's the same we regard Roman and Greek mythology as just mythology - because it's not real. It gives us an idea of the way the minds worked then but it doesn't mean it's actually the word of god/gods.

Scientology formed the same way as Christianity, from a book. And yet, Scientologists are considered nut jobs and cult-ish. Why is Christianity any different? Why that book? Because Constantine decided to declare his love for it on his death bed? The bible doesn't make sense. It's so full of holes, lies, bigotry, and ignorance. I find it hard to believe that any sensible person could follow it.

This is a very good thing. A little weird -- but who are we to talk? We all have weird parts in ourselves. And simply because he likes to wear dresses doesn't mean he's gay. Maybe it's just a transition. Maybe it has to do with chemicals the pregnant mother was exposed to (which, studies show, increases feminity in males.) It may cause Dyson some trouble later on, but hopefully, he'll grow out of it and become a strong adult, capable for speaking up about people's rights. It's just a little unsettling that the mother could be using him for money, but we don't know that yet.

And for the people who bash the "Bible-Thumpers", you personally don't believe because, in your mind, there is no proof -- but that's fine, because you never will. The religion of Christianity is about faith -- to believe in something you will never see. There have been miracles, for example, the four year old (Colton Burpo) that died on an operating table, only to revive before the declaration of death and say he met his grandfather, deseased for seven years, and his two 'sisters' in heaven, when his mother previously had two miscarriges. He claimed that God was "big", and held the universe in his palms. It's hard to believe, but the dwindling number who do will triumph in the end.

Your argument would carry more weight if you were accurate. Saddam is the former leader of Iraq. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The cities were destroyed for impenitent sin, including but not limited to homosexual acts.

We are all appalled by your ignorance.

What pertinence does a book of Stone-Age superstitions got to do with modern life?

Like tooth fairy, santa and easter bunny, its fables for weak minds and little children.

Frankly, if it is a book by some diety, that diety would get an F in my class for plagarism. Most of the Christian "Bible" was stolen from other religions.

Grow up, accept that we are alone in the universe, God does not help anyone, everything you were ever told about God and the Bible are MADE-UP stories.

Not only that, but they are stories designed to opress minorities, children and women, and enrich the priest class.

God didn't destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, a volcanic eruption did. There's no mention of little boys wearing dresses in Sodom and Gomorrah, so I wonder what the dull christian point of this story is?

As a Christian, and one who has read the Bible many times, I do believe in God and the "Holy Bible", and I still don't see a big problem with this. I see a problem of potential exploitation of the boy, but the clothing that the boy is wearing is not a problem by biblical standards. If it were, Jesus and all of the partriachs and the apostles would be in trouble because they wore "dresses" too. Their robes were considered proper male attire in their times, but the point is: clothing styles and standards change with the times and cannot be used as a measuring stick for morality. Also, this story has nothing to do with homosexuality - it has to do with clothing choices.

Excuse me, but part of parenting involves "control." And "discipline." Should parents encourage and love their children? Absolutely! But they shouldn't be taught that what this woman is doing to her child is acceptable. It's morally wrong.

The adults are the only ones judging because we are the ones that are ADULTS and know that this poor child is going to be ridiculed and bullied and beaten up ... do you ever watch the news???

Lisa & Diana - maybe the parents of the kids who are doing the ridiculing and bullying and beating up should have more control and discipline of their kidos so that problem does not exist!

Under who's moral code is this wrong - yours? WOOOHOOO! I am glad I live under another moral code that says not to judge a book by its cover!

Lisa, perhaps if parents raised their children right there would be no bullies. That seems to be where we should be putting our emphasis. Finding out why children feel they have the right to bully - not worrying because a little boy likes pink sparkly dresses.

Steph, your daughter has a sensory disorder? Poor thing! Can she not feel the morals in her clothes? Bless your heart, I am so thankful to our Lord and Stylist, Jesus Christ that she has you to correct her.

They are encouraging another future fudge packer and aids reciepent!

NOT for a FIVE year old !!!!

This is sick a young kid dressing up in princess stuff, come on. This kid is going to grow up miserable because of being bullyed so much that he might hurt himself in some way. He is 5yrs old and will be able to change his mind very fast and forget about wearing princess stuff. When he hits a high mature age then he can change the way he feels but at 5yrs old you have to be kidding me. Dont let something happen to this poor kid because of being bullyed. Change his mind and have him stop wearing princess clothes or god for bead he will hurt himself

I accidentally gave C5 a thumbs up when trying to give a thumbs DOWN so please don't think I actually support his ignorant statements or those on the same lines as his.....ignorant people cause more problems in this world then I have the time to debate about right now.

People keep saying there are gays and straights and blacks and whites.....blah blah blah. Guess what - there are also trans-gender males; trans-gender females, and many other classifications we can throw people into. Will this child grow up to be gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered.....I don't know but BLESS the parents for not trying to force anything on the child and letting him develop normally. YES normally! And comparing the family to the balloon boy is a far stretch to try to dishonor this family.

People use to FREAK out because I let my 3 year old son paint his toe nails....guess what 6 months later he outgrew it but if he wanted to paint them again, that would be the least of my worries.

To say a 5 year year old has not active sexuality is ridiculous and probably one of the least intelligent statements I have read on here.

Life is not as simple as many of us would like to believe. And most people fear the unknown...for those of you who think these parents are bad parents and the child should be removed from the home or forced to be unhappy because you don't like the way he dressed.....give me a FREAKING break....find something better to get all distressed about....you are ridiculous and don't deserve to breath the same air as this child or his family.

Everyone has the right to be free to be themselves without prejudice. I am glad this young bvoy can grow up and be himself without fear of retaliation from his own family to just be himself.

You're right, this is totally normal. My argument is going to be, not all NORMAL things have positive endings.

like wise - just because you dont understand it doesn't mean you need to fear it. If something bad comes from it then we can discuss but until then people need to worry about world hunger, poverty, war...not what this 5 year old likes to wear!

Very good point.