If you're a reader of the LA Times sports section, you might be familiar with the work of Mike Penner. He's covered almost every sport for the paper, and after a vacation, he's going to continue to do so ... but after the vacation, he'll be a she.I'll let him explain.
I am a transsexual sportswriter. It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words. I realize many readers and colleagues and friends will be shocked to read them.Well, there's a story to start your day (and thanks to Sports by Brooks for the link).
That's OK. I understand that I am not the only one in transition as I move from Mike to Christine. Everyone who knows me and my work will be transitioning as well. That will take time. And that's all right. To borrow a piece of well-worn sports parlance, we will take it one day at a time.
Among readers here, there's going to be a very wide variety of opinions and theories on transexuals, and that's to be expected There are, however, two concrete facts you should keep in mind, too.
1. No matter how weird or gross or insane you think it is, Mike Penner/Christine Daniels has gone through, and will continue to go through, something more difficult than most people will ever experience.
2. Through it, Mike Penner/Christine Daniels will retain the exact same writing ability and knowledge of sports.
Number two is the more important one. Our relationship with Mike/Christine is that of writer/reader ... and other than the name in the byline, the dynamics of that relationship don't change here. If you thought he was a hack yesterday, she'll be a hack a month from now. If you enjoyed his work yesterday, you can enjoy his work a month from now. Best of luck to her.
(Note: I had no idea what kind of picture to run with this story ... so that's Squatch playing the drums. Why? Because I like Squatch, that's why.)
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
people care that much about sports reporters? if he/she didn't say anything, i would have just assumed Mike got canned, and Christine was hired in his place. seems like it isn't the readers business to even care...just tell me why the Clips suck.
Well, it's good to know that Mike Penner has found his problem and removed the cause...
...BUT NOT THE SYMPTOM!!!!
(Sorry.)
Remember, Christina Kahrl is as good as ever.
I've been reading the LA Times for over 30 years. To me, it's the best newspaper in the business. Mike Penner is simply the best sportswriter on the LA Times. His articles on the NFL and not with Morning Briefing, are insightly, but more importantly for me, hilarious. While I am surprised at his announcement, I will still continue to read what he writes daily with the same enthusiasm I have always had.
Good luck Christine!
I've been reading the LA Times for over 30 years. To me, it's the best newspaper in the business. Mike Penner is simply the best sportswriter on the LA Times. His articles on the NFL and not with Morning Briefing, are insightly, but more importantly for me, hilarious. While I am surprised at his announcement, I will still continue to read what he writes daily with the same enthusiasm I have always had.
Good luck Christine!
oh and the picture is amazing
Good lord it must take an excess of gravitas to publicly make such personal move, and in the narrow-minded sports world as well!
Props to the LA Times for openly covering this without a whiff of exploitation or embarrassment... nice to see an outlet show some faith in the maturity of their readership.
i thought all sportswriters were transsexuals.
without balls christine may be filing her fingernails and wondering why sports violent.
MAYBE RAYMOND SHOULD CONSIDER THE SAME AND PLEASE HIS DAD FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL....BIG DEAL!
What diference if it is Mike or Christine. What the sport fan wants is true and factual wrting about whatever sport Mike/Christine is reporting.
Those out there that cannot handle true honesty. Please reort to the 'White House'.
Man, he must have some big balls to come out and say this, well... not anymore.
Wrong is always wrong. Sin is always sin. Doesn't matter if you are a reporter, a politician, a dog catcher. I hold no malice toward HIS very real struggle. However, HE is trying to undo what GOD has done and it never works the way you want it to. All choices have consequences, some good, some bad.
In case you are wondering, I won't be tuning in to check people's comments to this post. Most people in America have long abandoned moral and religeous conscience, and I don't expect anyone to agree with this post. But I must take a stand for what is right. So I'll be the lone voice among the herd.
Happiness is so fleeting and life is so short that we must be comfortable with who we are. Anyone who condemns what this man is doing should look into themselves and confront their own personal conflicts. This is a personal decision that must be treated with respect because when you come to the point of transitioning from one gender to another it means that you have been through personal torture for a number of years and see no other option
He She or it whatever it wants to be called has bigger problems than how this decision will be accepted by his readers. What happened to people? What happened to men? What happened to America? When we have people openly flaunting there sexual perversions. Expecting acceptance,are you kidding me?By all means cut it off, however treat it with the shame a decision like that deserves. Normal heterosexuals do not flaunt there desires in public. I bet if they did they would probably be arrested. If you cut it off and play dress up that's okay. What happened to America My Country???? My country that embarasses me more & more each day.
Good luck and best wishes. Life is a journey and a struggle. Congratulations on facing yours head on....
Good luck and best wishes. Life is a journey and a struggle. Congratulations on facing yours head on....
Good luck and best wishes. Life is a journey and a struggle. Congratulations on facing yours head on....
well there is only one thing to say: GOD DOESNT MAKE MISTAKE, AND I THINK PPL SHOULD STAY THE WAY GOD MADE YOU AND STOP MESSING WITH SCIENCE. honestly i would be scared to date now a days its hard telling what youll get. wow what a get thought UGHHHHHH!!!!
oops the word i was looking for was GREAT not GET my bad