Horizon Season 2000 Episode 19 The Boy who was Turned into a Girl

As a part of the Horizon series, the 19th episode of the 2000 season is titled "The Boy who was Turned into a Girl." This episode delves into the controversial practices of gender reassignment surgery and the underlying debate about the nature versus nurture of gender identity.

The episode follows the story of David, who, at the age of eight months, was the victim of a botched circumcision procedure that resulted in the complete loss of his penis. In a desperate attempt to give David a normal life, his parents, with the support of their pediatrician, decided to opt for a gender reassignment procedure and raise him as a girl, Brenda.

The medical procedure that David underwent involved the removal of his testicles and the creation of a female genitalia using the remaining skin tissue. The parents of Brenda had kept the truth from her until the age of fourteen. Eventually, she learned the truth and opted for a second gender reassignment surgery to become David, who he was initially supposed to be.

The episode features interviews with David himself, his family, and the doctors involved in his case. Experts in the field of gender reassignment surgery are also interviewed, and the episode explores the history of this practice and how it has evolved over time.

"The Boy who was Turned into a Girl" raises critical questions about the nature of gender identity, particularly how it is formed and whether it can be changed. It also highlights the ethical issues surrounding gender reassignment surgery, including the implications for individuals who undergo the procedure and their families.

Overall, "The Boy who was Turned into a Girl" is an informative and thought-provoking episode that explores the complexities of gender identity, gender reassignment surgery, and the ethical and practical implications of these practices. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the underpinnings of contemporary gender theory.