Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Some Things Amaze Me

Life continues on around here. Some days are more interesting than others. I'm almost never caught without my phone, that's where I store my brain, but earlier this week one of the medical offices had a cancellation and called to see if we might like to come in earlier. I was tempted to reply "not really" but like to help if we can. It would give them some time to fill our vacated time later in the week.

We dress first thing in the morning so we're ready to ride at a moment's notice. The appointment was for an echocardiogram so my services weren't needed. In the waiting room I reached into my purse and a sick feeling came over me, no phone. Panic, how would I occupy myself?

Desperate, I turned to a TIME magazine on the table beside me. I began thumbing through the magazine and suddenly boredom was no longer an issue.


I consider myself to be progressive and open to LGBT rights but this brought me to a sudden stop. It was referred to as 'chest feeding.'

1) Why would TIME post such a picture?
2) I found it jarring.
3) How do you explain it to a child?

Is my age showing that I find publishing such a picture disturbing? I don't think it's helpful to the transgender discussion

17 comments:

  1. Well, I wouldn't call the picture disturbing but it certainly catches your attention.I guese we're never too old to learn something.

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    1. One of my first thoughts was this story was going to be fuel for the fire of Senator Ted Cruz, and some state governors and state legislatures, that I believe are on a witch hunt to punish the LGBT community, and transgender people in particular.

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    2. Having thought about this one, it's photo shopped. Now you ask what's the point. Who are they trying to get?

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  2. I'm confused, but I think I prefer being confused. If you catch my drift. ;)

    :: hugs ::

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  3. Wow! That is an eye opener, that's for sure. However, that's a loving mother(?) to be sure.

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    1. Such a picture of a woman breast feeding would be highly critized I believe. If they'd chosen a better model and perhaps made even the slightest hint at dignifying the act of a nursing child I think it would not have been so jarring. I can only assume they wanted it to be jarring.

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  4. Yes, I saw that picture too. I had to take a double look and then read the article. I don't stand in judgment of that person but I always think what impact will this have on the child. We know children are hardy but should be intentionally burden them? Will this child call the parent Mom or Dad? It may be that the parent's love will take care of all problems. Who knows now.

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    1. Apparently TME magazine is of the opinion jarring people out of traditional thinking is the way to change minds. I disagree.

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  5. I think it is jarring because it is not what we expect to see.

    I feel for those who are struggling to fit in to society, but don't necessarily fit the mold of "typical". I think photos like the one you posted help us to see the humanity of each person, regardless of their orientation.

    Sending positive thoughts your way Linda, as you continue to support Bob and his health challenges.

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    1. I feel TIME's way of changing society's thinking may be too severe. I fear it will only enrage those opposed to LGBT rights.

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  6. If a transgender can physically do the act of nursing a baby. I guess that's all we (and the child) really needs to know. It's a brave new world out there for those not born with the same genetic coding that most of us are.

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    1. Yes, I agree. I believe it is true, I don't need to see pictures to believe it's true. This picture is apparently meant to show a private moment between baby and human in a private act of chest feeding/breastfeeding, except it wasn't private at all. It was published for the world to see.

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  7. When the initial shock wore off I just saw love and caring for a child. Frankly even a standard nursing photo would have caused a brief moment of shock from my generation but I am adjusting. It is a new world.

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    1. I resent TIME making a private moment so plublic. I don't know that it helped the current debate.

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  8. There seems to be flack over women breastfeeding in public and I know those who would freak out at the sight of a breast feeding woman with a nipple showing. Personally, I feel I learned something from the photo. Those who are enraged by LGBT (and now there is a Q added?) will be enraged.

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  9. We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto. I've heard of this, but I've never seen a photo. This would probably take up air time if Trump and Hillary weren't all the rage.

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