Author Janet Mock joins Piers Morgan

On Tuesday evening, author Janet Mock joined "Piers Morgan Live" for a face to face, primetime interview.

[@tonganqueenb5517]

The way Janet navigates this interview is a master class in PR. So sharp and intelligent.

[@siriusjones956]

Looking back compared to how easily offended these people are, I admire Piers for coming out and just saying what he felt.

[@tonganqueenb5517]

@@siriusjones956 There's a time and a place for feelings. People of a certain age and wisdom approach the world with tact and understand the importance of tone.

[@femburtoon]

I'm so glad she kept it professional and did not get out of character because I would have checked Piers Morgan MULTIPLE times.

[@ivartheboneless5745]

He*

[@nhtynia]

Here’s lies the attention you so desperately wanted for your stupid comment lol 🤡 ​@@ivartheboneless5745

[@Wabuu-zoo]

@@ivartheboneless5745you’re so wack

[@charliegreen5361]

@@ivartheboneless5745 *she

[@ivartheboneless5745]

@@charliegreen5361 lol you are replying to every reply that i made instead go educate yourself more and get a life

[@Iamnofallenstar]

she had so much grace in dealing with his bullshit

[@Marellya]

She's probably used to it. Have you seen some of the horrible comments on here? "Transgender people aren't transgender, they have a mental illness" and "Genetically she will always be male"... I think they miss the point somewhat, Mr. Morgan included.

[@cindyqueen7228]

Very much so. Transgendered people put up with a lot of ignorance all the time.

[@truebluekey3306]

Shes scared I promise you. I've been in similar positions let me tell you.

[@kristinamarie2462]

Marellya Bradi I've had someone tell me that I am a freak and that they wished I would die. Honestly, it's not this bad in real life. KZbin draws a certain type.

[@ivartheboneless5745]

Its “HE”

[@kristacarignan1896]

even the headline Janet Mock: Was a boy until age 18... REALLY?! ugh having the hardest time watching this

[@dapper1181]

But it's true? Biologically, physically, factual. You don't like facts?

[@ezekielmajor5511]

What people don't understand is that these people can only lead their lives by what's in their hearts. They cannot help it. To live any other way is a lie for them. This doesn't bother me at all. No matter what you have to be yourself in the end. Being yourself is what going to make you happy. She is very happy now and people have to accept it.

[@ezekielmajor5511]

Shut up, you sausage nose. If you don't like what I said, oh well. You tool factory.

[@mattw1829]

What do you mean what people don't understand. I'm a straight man and a republican, seems fine to me

[@tiffanyryan3173]

⁠@@mattw1829 this didn’t age well, do you see people don’t understand ?

[@kimbeeeelle5227]

he keeps calling her a boy, and it's a little upsetting :(

[@praveeshachapman677]

But he is a boy?

[@fatpotato1762]

@@praveeshachapman677 no honey no

[@Clavitz1]

@@praveeshachapman677 when you want to go biological, yes She's male there. This is only important for medical problems that males face but when it comes to her gender she's 100% a woman. this person figured out they had the wrong body very young in life hence why when you look and hear her, she's incredibly feminine. would you have really known that's She's a transexual woman if she didnt say anything? probably not.

[@lufesaro7741]

@@Clavitz1 That arbitrary distinction drawn between gender and biological sex is purely recent. Since the beginning of mammals, those two things were understood to be synonymous.

[@Etcher]

@@lufesaro7741 "Since the beginning of mammals, those two things were understood to be synonymous" absolute twaddle.

[@AnthonyRizzo2]

Perhaps what's most annoying about Piers comments and interview is his focus and obsession of drawing attention to Janet's _asigned at birth_ gender. Secondary but equally as troublesome is the stereotype he perpetuates that what made Janet female is her stelar good looks and gender reassignment surgery. Finally he fails miserably to promote her book, career, accomplishments or cause. It's not Janet's job to correct him. It's Piers job to inform himself. He after all is the host and interviewer. Who want's to be asked to be on a show to plug their book and career only to have the host drum over and over on their physical uniqueness as if she were a circus sideshow freak? Come on Piers, if you don't realize that what you did was insensitive and in poor taste then let this comment school you.

[@jv-ep2tc]

+Anthony Rizzo Bullshit. Morgan is doing the best he can with his then understanding of the situation. You clearly expect everyone, when in his situation talking to a trans person, to do everything that meets your definition of perfect and correct. Not gonna happen, welcome to the real world dude.

[@omsmada]

+Anthony Rizzo >It's not Janet's job to correct him. It's Piers job to inform himself. jesus christ, social justice warrior logic is moronic

[@horserenoir9210]

When you are in the media as a TV show host, you should do some research and homework. No excuse for someone like Morgan who knows how to read to be so ignorant.

[@MaryLou913]

I understand your perspective and hers BUT her book does revolve around her transitioning and the main article that was written in first person has her calling herself male. It looks like he did his research but unfortunately still got it wrong.

[@Sahithya02]

I envy this woman's courage and achievements, such an inspirational person she is!

[@ivartheboneless5745]

He is a man not a woman

[@amyh9512]

​​​@@ivartheboneless5745tds trans derangement syndrome - the obsession people with no lives have over transwomen who because some are way prettier than anyone they've ever dated

[@Cameron9182]

Why does everyone feel the need to talk about the physical with trans people. All he ever seems to ask is personal, physical questions and she only ever responds with the way she feels. She is awesome, but i think he needs to learn some better manners when it comes to talking to trans people.

[@dothedeed]

She wrote a book outlining her entire story / surgeries etc and came on his show to promote that book. But, you're asking why he's asking her these questions?

[@Cameron9182]

I know I'd feel weird if someone came up to me and asked if i still had a penis every 20 seconds. dothedeed

[@italo36]

Piers was not out of line at all, he was very supportive of her so I think Janet Mock was unfair with him.

[@aladore1380]

She had a successful transition, unlike most.

[@ivartheboneless5745]

He*

[@richieasian]

It's amazing how narrow minded this entire interview feels. I get that he's trying to acclimate the audience with the situation, but really, isn't Janet supposed to be there to talk about her book...? At 1:40, the screen says, "Janet Mock.., was a boy until age 18" That's just like interviewing Kim Kardashian and saying, "Kim Kardashian. Made a sex tape at 18 years old". It's just pointless and awkward to say! It's like they're making a freak show out of her. The kind of words piers uses in this interview remind me of media in the 60's and 70's. They would use words like "colored folk" and "Negros". Words like that would get someone off air nowadays. I hope the same thing is true for transgender people many years later.

[@EmoRockerChic15]

I don't think he was really trying to be offensive, he just doesn't know much about trans* people, and some of his wording was bad, like saying she was a boy until she was 18, when he should have specified that she was physically a boy or maybe just said she was a trans*girl that got the surgery at 18

[@nfinn42]

Wicked Little Witch I agree that he probably didn't intend any offense, but I just can't get it through my head that he didn't bother to do any basic research on how to speak respectfully to a transgender person. GLAAD has a wonderful media guide for this exact purpose, ten seconds of googling would have led him to it. For a major interviewer like him, that's just fall-down-on-the-job level of lazy, and disappointing.

[@canadaisgr8]

People need to stop being so hostile towards Peirs, he was simply inquiring about her life and her journey. I seriously cant even see how people would think he was rude.

[@Theechosenone_]

This didn't age well. Piers is a racist piece of shit. Piers is clearly a horrible person. I bet you're white.

[@jessicadean7819]

She is just a natural woman of pure light ,xx

[@carlyroseanne]

stevepwn ew look at you right now

[@ivartheboneless5745]

He,man*

[@jessicadean7819]

@@ivartheboneless5745 leave your mama out of it

[@ivartheboneless5745]

@@jessicadean7819 i am just alerting people that he is a man whats your problem plus what do you mean natural woman he is literally born with a penis dumba*s

[@ivartheboneless5745]

@@jessicadean7819 instead of insulting my mama you can go and make your researches of the truth and become less ignorant

[@sugarpump]

I cannot for the life of me figure out what Piers did to cause negative Tweets from Mock.

[@TheSaltyLibrarian]

He called her a boy who became a girl. She was a baby who was assigned a gender at birth based on her physical sex, that ended up being a gender she didn't identify as. Note: gender =/= physical sex.

[@sugarpump]

I didn't get that he said so in a mean way; just factual. She isn't/wasn't a 'woman' at birth, after all.

[@TheSaltyLibrarian]

Janet's whole book was about how no one is actually a man or a woman at birth (I believe her line is that she was not born a boy or girl, but a baby). People are assigned genders and it didn't matter if he said it in a polite way (sometimes when people learn about my pansexuality they say they support my decisions, implying that I chose to be that way). If he had done his job right, that point would have been communicated. He botched it by not doing his research (he's a freakin' JOURNALIST) and reinforcing the idea that gender is tied to sex. "Factual" is a fluid term. It was once "factual" that homosexuals were mentally ill, or that people of color were just less developed versions of white people. Please don't feel attacked. I'm not trying to call you close-minded, just misinformed. I'm just trying to get across the point that Piers failed to do.

[@sugarpump]

KilldozerRocks No ill-feelings at all and thank you for enlightening me as I have not read her book. That said, I didn't interview her either! What I can relate this issue to is a personal one, that of the hermaphrodite. Unfortunately parents/doctors make life altering decisions based on looks (what 'sex' the gonads largely resemble) and personal desires (what 'sex' the parents want as their child.) Decisions to alter our bodies (circumcisions for example) are personal and need to be made when individuals are adult enough to make such decisions. Thank you again for shedding light on this subject!

[@praveeshachapman677]

@@TheSaltyLibrarian oh no he stated a fact?! He should be locked up. (Sarcasm)

[@meeluumeeloo4318]

Did Piers Morgan read the book? ...weak interview :(

[@ivartheboneless5745]

If he read this book he would be even more rude lol plus its not worth his time to read such an irrelevant book

[@vonh7047]

"Was a boy until age 18" Oh my God what idiot chose to use that? -_- I feel so bad for her.

[@billymadden7676]

Someone that knows the truth. You can't truly change your gender. If you're born a male, you'll always be a male...

[@cloebell1]

Please understand that not everyone is as educated on trans issues and your community as we should be. I came to this interview to learn more, hopefully understand the problems you undergo, and empathise so, personally, I appreciate the questions he asked. I personally did not think he was being rude and like someone else here said, "maybe his reporting is through means of acting as though his audience is unaware, so he feels the need to be ignorant in a means to educate...". Admittedly I am not a member of this community so who am I to say how you should feel of this, I just hope all can be patient and let us cis's catch up on current issues.

[@richieasian]

I personally don't blame piers though. Lots of people just aren't aware of a transgender person's feelings. They're kind of numb to it because they don't know what it's like. For example, minorities find it offensive when people ask them, "so do your people celebrate Christmas?" Or something like that, but people that don't know what it's like to be a minority don't find it offensive. But I know that in time, transgender people will be in a better place... So until then, I guess we'll have to wait!

[@Dreamydre15]

Completely agree with you!

[@kiwolive]

But it's their responsibility to step outside of their bubble and do some research before embarrassing themselves and trans people. also, wait? no, not wait, do. it's not going to hurt people to have empathy sometimes.

[@taylermarie153]

LOVE HER.

[@toonses4300]

Him.

[@risafaye9439]

Splenda4ever Her you bigot

[@toonses4300]

Risa Faye It's a him trying hard to look like a her.

[@risafaye9439]

Splenda4ever Nah, its her looking the way she should have. Quite sad that there are still people like you around though, who seem to be unable to accept people for who they are. Such a shame to be living in the past instead of going along with the future where people can be who they are and be happy with themselves. At some point though, people who think like you will be the ones who get the same abuse and misunderstanding as we get now. So my advice to you is to try and open your mind to those who are different and accept what they need to be themselves. Its the mind that makes people the person they are, not the body. Nowadays the body can be changed to reflect the mind.

[@taylermarie153]

Splenda4ever *Sigh* Need I remind you that there is a very obvious distinction between biological sex and gender identity? That our body parts have no indication on whether a person feels that they area man or a woman? Before you go saying things like this I would strongly recommend you go out and learn about what transgender people go through.

[@RVloveland]

Gorgeous and smart! in one word: the perfect woman!

[@spooniness]

Why do people keep saying she used to be a boy, did she ever say that? She was always a girl. You people make it sound like your body parts have something to do with your gender.

[@dothedeed]

Gender is the range of physical, biological, mental and behavioral characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity. So at birth babies don't have established sexual identities etc that means the defining trait wrt masculinity / femininity is their genitals. Thus to say anything other than she was born a boy is a lie. When a kid is born are we supposed to ignore the genitals and say "I don't know" when asked what it is?

[@emnewin]

dothedeed she was born a male, not a boy. "Boy" and "girl", are socially constructed labels that hold the masculine and feminine traits. "Male" and "female" are terms based on an individual's biological genitals. When Piers said that Janet was a boy until she was 18, he is being politically incorrect and offensive. Janet has always identified as herself as a girl. What Piers should have said was that Janet was a MALE until she was 18. Big difference.

[@dothedeed]

Mimi Nguyen No "boy" isn't a socially constructed label. Boy is synonymous with male. Boy = young male. The expectation that behavior and preferrences "match" genitalia is the social construct. Furthermore, every trans person who has surgery is in essence conforming to society's expectations by making their sex and gender match. In their own tiny trans community they may have changed the connotations attached to the word "boy" but the wider English speaking world aren't aware of their slang definitions. When speaking with us they have to be more specific and stop accusing us of being offensive. Would it have been better for Piers to be crude and say "at 18 you had your penis chopped off and inverted" (because that's literally what happened)?

[@emnewin]

You're misinformed. Boy is not synonymous to male. The LGBTQ community did not "transform" the term. You're blinded by heteronormativity. This ideology where you think this state of being masculine defines "boys" is being reinforced by cis straight people who think they are the true form of naturalness. No, it would have been correct of Piers to have replaced boy with male. Go educate yourself. Butler, Judith. "Bodies that matter." Feminist theory and the body: A reader (1999): 235-245. Adamson, Walter L. Hegemony and revolution: a study of Antonio Gramsci's political and cultural theory. Univ of California Press, 1983.

[@emnewin]

Yeah, and we wonder why there's so much violence and disparity in the world. Stay ignorant.

[@akadua1045]

i think Piers is crushing hard the way he babbles and gushes. i think he's actually being sweet here which u rarely see Piers.

[@bornoverheated4388]

I love this woman! She is POWER and inspiration.

[@muffdiver240]

+Born Overheated *NOT* a woman. The word is *EUNUCH*.

[@naypalm14]

She is so brave and inspiring!

[@ivartheboneless5745]

Its a he not a she

[@charliegreen5361]

@@ivartheboneless5745 No, this person is correct, she is a woman

[@rome20082acitynearu]

It’s not her job to educate him. Google is free, and available. As an interviewer you should educate yourself about your subject and their background. Not use it to get a personal lecture on trans identity. Why again weren’t they talking about her book?

[@richalderson6069]

5:36 "You used to be, yourself, a man". That look.......

[@NikeviaPlays]

Janet Mock is flawless

[@nyxqueen5417]

+Twenty Faces for a woman

[@nyxqueen5417]

Twenty Faces GENDER AND PHYSICAL SEX ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nyxqueen5417]

Twenty Faces i don't have a gender and sociology professor

[@nyxqueen5417]

+Twenty Faces why?

[@nyxqueen5417]

+Twenty Faces also I wasn't on tumbler to begin with

[@Jen8973]

She’s beautiful

[@ivartheboneless5745]

He/handsome*

[@christaldunaway1256]

have to give it up Janet is beautiful and if she happy then who am I to judge

[@ponch1620]

I do not understand Transgender people. I also believe it's okay for me not to understand. Just because I do not understand does not mean that I in any way have ill will towards anyone. What you do with your life has no negative impact on me at all. Just remember that the majority of people do not understand. This does not mean we hate, so please be patient with us. I do not know if I've ever met a trans person before, so of course I would not know how to address one. And if I ask inappropriate questions, it is because I am curious and trying to grasp an unfamiliar concept. I am not mocking you or trying to offend you. So please, don't be offended.

[@ArtU4All]

Wow…. Writing back to you 9 years later, and the world in regards to trans is a much different place. The sis people are compelled to call the trans certain pronouns even despite the reality of what we see and hear before us. And it has been written into law that we must surrender to the trans’ needs, insecurities, demands… Trans has taken over LGB, pushing “over the cliff” good old lesbian and gay community. I need to read about this trans woman - what is she doing today? ….

[@BalletBullet1]

Well it’s not the trans person’s job to make you understand. You are too ignorant to understand. Just saying

[@LauroBasico]

How charming!... Janet I mean!!!

[@guntherzwegat6152]

I don't get the hate. You pro-trans people need to understand that only a relatively small amount of people are in this bubble. For most people it's the idea of changing ones gender that's the biggest hurdle to overcome. Biologically speaking, usually you have either two X or one X and one Y chromosome and that determines your gender. That biological fact is what 99% of the worlds population grows up with. For most people it's unimaginable that one could just say "I'm gonna change my gender" and then do it. And these people get hung up on the fact that, in this case, she was born a boy and at some stage she was considered a woman. That transitioning period is what you need to shine a light on in order to give people a feeling that it isn't actually that much of a big deal and quite normal. But noooooo, you get offended because people don't adhere to your standards without questioning. Piers didn't do a bad interview, he just made it for the general population and not for a bunch of know-it-alls

[@natabobata30]

I'm going to disagree with the before comments. During the second interview Pierce basically said that because he considers himself an ally he is exempt from being checked. Which makes no sense, just because your an ally and have good intentions does not mean your words are non problematic or that you perpetuate common myths about the trans.community. And him saying she should have brought it up in the interview well talking to people on t.v, media figure heads or even just everyday folk on the street can be a nerve racking experience. And people often shut down because they don't want to put themselves in a situation where they're further bullied, ostracized or in general hear more fucked up things about their personhood.

[@nfinn42]

Well said.

[@nfinn42]

Why should it be Mock's job to do remedial education for a *professional interviewer*? Maybe if Morgan were J Random Streetguy it would be reasonable to expect some well meaning ignorance. But come on, it's not like her appearing on his soundstage was a huge surprise. He had ample opportunity to prepare for her appearance and educate himself. GLAAD's media guide, which explains exactly how to avoid the gaffes Morgan made, was just one quick Google search away - a Google search that Morgan somehow failed to perform. His lack of research and preparedness was grossly unprofessional. I'm not saying it makes him evil, or transphobic. But it does indicate a certain level of cis privilege in his thinking, that he felt he already knew enough and didn't need to bother to try to educate himself any further.

[@amerikkankorruption1738]

Keep Shinning Janet !

[@DiamondStylz]

Christ says it so clearly in John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another, as I have loved you. They will know you are my disciples by your love" These hateful anger-filled antics i see from fake Christians is turning folk off and away from God. The hate, anger and attacking make it so easy for people questioning in search of spiritual solace to fall right into doubt and Atheism. maybe im wrong but isnt the whole point to bring people TO GOD? Do you honestly believe that the name calling, bashing, ostracizing, abandoning, systemic injustice that you are doing is the model that represents the Savior well enough to convert a non-believer or someone lost in their sin? like do you REALLY believe that the way? Is it that hard to hold tight to your beliefs and be steadfast in your commitment to God ALL WHILE being loving? Why cant your action to uphold scripture be filled with love. I really want to know

[@123drue]

People are becoming atheist's because the internet helps people shed their ignorance.

[@A86]

drue banks - Internet atheists (like r/atheists) and Internet converts to atheism are to Atheism what Evangelicals and Born-Agains are to Christianity.

[@trackeroc]

drue banks I'd thumbs you up, except www.angryflower.com/aposter.html

[@331SVTCobra]

People who hate are, by definition, not Christian. ... whether they think they are or not. Thumbs up on Diamond's comment.

[@autismpete]

Christian here. I don't know you Diamond, but you're alright with me.

[@darsdarsdarsdars]

beautiful, thank you CNN! :D

[@WORLD8NSH5KNIGHT1]

To people getting offended; im offended by your extreme political correctness. Constantly policing how people talk is just as dangerous as discrimination. He clearly wasn't trying to be hurtful. She agreed to the interview and he was doing his job! You cannot dictate to others how they should communicate. No reasonable person can in any way call this interview hateful or discriminatory.

[@independentpolitics3703]

+Nathan Hazlett I understand both sides of this debate. Piers is in no way a bigot, and this interview wasn't hostile at all. So, I completely understand that. HOWEVER, if someone says they are NOT a boy, and does not like to be called "tranny" we should RESPECT their wishes. Just think about it for a second. What if someone called you something you did not identify with? Treat people how you want to be treated.

[@kingwithoutacrown1]

Marin Morg You see Marin you are a black Leftist and i'm a white Rightist, so there's no need to start a shakespearean dialogue now, we have a different point of view by definition. And just for the record: I've read more leftist literature than you can imagine and i also have my academic degrees, so even though my english knowledge is limited (since english is not my first language), i'm no moron. But of course the image of the "idiot" and "evil one" is something you leftists love to believe about rightists.

[@BillyOfOrange]

So, I feel weird for bringing this up 9 months later, but Jack has a legal right to change his name to Napoleon once he turns 18.

[@teddayer6523]

Centrist Philosopher very well put. Thank you.

[@dothedeed]

Seems like she's an amazing actress. She came off as smart, poised and graceful on air. Off air she showed her true colors. If she was so offended by Piers' unintentional error why not use it as a teachable moment and politely correct him during the interview?

[@nfinn42]

dothedeed First off, she's a writer, not an actress. I have no idea what you think she was "acting". Being a woman isn't an "act" for her any more than it is for any other woman. (Ie., in the sense that all gender roles are essentially performances.) If you actually read her twitter feed, btw, you will find nothing inappropriate in her responses to Morgan. Some of her followers got a bit more heated, but she didn't tell them what to say. As for why she didn't speak up, I've mentioned this in another thread: she was on the show to talk about her book. She had limited time to do so. Any time you're in a situation like that, you have to decide fast whether you want to risk getting sidetracked from your purpose. How many minutes of airtime should she have given up, to correct Morgan's offensiveness, thereby losing that much time to talk about her book? How much should she sacrifice from *her* goals, to give him some remedial education? I think she was justified in providing his correction later, when it wasn't so time-critical and she could formulate thoughts carefully. Also, you overlook the power aspect of an interview - on live TV, I know *I* would have a very hard time speaking up, stopping the interview, and saying, "No, stop. Rewind. What you said was offensive, and here's why," and I'm a cis-male white guy like Morgan. I can't imagine how much harder it would be if I were on the opposite end of all those axes of power, as Mock is. Give her a break, ok?

[@dothedeed]

nfinn42 1. I didn't say she was "acting like a woman" I said her presenting herself as poised and graceful was an act because in real life she's obviously a bitch. 2. Its not hard to subtly mention that trans women don't consider themselves to ever have been male. She was asked many questions where she could have said it. Piers would have changed his phrasing but he didn't know. 3. WRT "her goals" - we saw exactly what those goals were. She caused a big fuss to get a second segment on his show.

[@nfinn42]

dothedeed "obviously" a bitch? Intriguing. When and how did this become "obvious" to you? It's totally non-obvious to me.

[@dothedeed]

nfinn42 Pretending to be nice. Leaving an interaction on good terms then going on twitter and starting shit = bitch.

[@nfinn42]

dothedeed I gave you an alternate explanation that, to me, seems reasonable to explain why she said nothing at the time. What was wrong with my proposition?

[@AnnRenee1]

The tragedy: a 30-something year old says "I live for Beyonce." She still has a lot of work to do, and it has nothing to do with sexual parts.

[@WilhelmFreidrich]

Books sales aren't doing so well; feigns outrage at Piers Morgan secretly on Twitter. What a coward.

[@mollysmith8627]

The way he talks to her was completely inappropriate and insensative. He should have done his research before interviewing her.

[@WilhelmFreidrich]

"Completely inappropriate"? I think that is an exaggeration to say the least.

[@mollysmith8627]

Bill Smith Bill Smith Starting off with 'Was boy until 18' is disrespectful of her identity and who she is as a person. Anyone who knows a transgender individual would know it is a dick thing to do. Never, is it ever appropriate, unless you have an intimate relationship with the individual would someone talk like that to someone who is transgender. She was offended. He clearly had no idea on what was ok and not ok to ask or say to her, and did no research on transgender experience.

[@keysersoze6284]

Molly Smith What was she born Molly? Genetically speaking?

[@WilhelmFreidrich]

I'm offended! I don't like your use of the term "intimate relationship"! I once had an intimate relationship and it didn't work out. Do your homework before you start being such a bigot!

[@crazypianolady]

What's the fuss is about with the other interview?? He doesn't insult her, he's asking her very good questions that lets her talk about her life and transformation in ways the public will understand.

[@MoriahWMusic]

Um. This interview went really smoothly.. I'm not understanding where she was so offended.

[@benisturning30]

Can someone please explain why trans women identify as women but use the prefix trans at all? If Janet had not written a book about being trans then it would not have been an issue but it is much of the books emphasis. I don't get how it's a book about certain aspects of a persons life that the person doesn't want to talk about.

[@dcy123]

Mainly so we can have someone to look up to, transitioning is very hard, it seems almost impossible. Having someone inspire you through the bad times can make all the difference.

[@benisturning30]

dcy123 How is it impossible? And if Janet lives as a woman then why not just say "I'm a woman"? Why say trans? If you are a black heterosexual female then why market yourself as "trans" If your goal is to be female then you're really saying there are no trans people. I'm just giving a cisgender perspective at why this issue is so confusing because cisgender people see it differently maybe than trans do. Janet never acknowledged that she ever was born male, so why say that you are trans, which suggests just that?

[@dcy123]

I think she is doing it for awareness for the younger generations, I am not Janet Mock so I have no other comment on that. It seems impossible to some due to cost, and fear of persecution.

[@funguy955]

It's a personal choice to be stealth and just identify as a woman or man. But obviously she cares about the issues trans people face and its important that she is herself trans. Its a part of her life and shes allowed to talk about it to her own discretion.

[@benisturning30]

Becca m Stealth is an issue entirely unto itself. It is something that isn't discussed from the perspective of the other person in the relationship.

[@rachelmora6227]

Good for her!

[@ivartheboneless5745]

Him*

[@rachelmora6227]

@@ivartheboneless5745 You are right! It was not Leticia James, it was A Bragg. I stand corrected.😀

[@rachelmora6227]

@@ivartheboneless5745 Wrong video! Sorry!

[@CJGatsby]

This woman is beautiful and so brave wow

[@ivartheboneless5745]

Man/handsome*

[@Whitneypyant]

Where is this controversy? I don't see it I really don't.

[@silverfox389]

Whitney Pyant thats what im saying

[@beckyomosexy]

Piers did his job and asked the right questions. Question pple may not have to guts to ask her on the street. He was polite. So?

[@ccduncan5445]

***TRUTH*** In my opinion this is the issue.....Piers (and others) say "You were born a boy". The thing is, SHE was born a baby with BOY PHYSICAL PARTS. She was not a boy on the inside. Her identity wasn't a boy. SHE was not a BOY. SHE was a GIRL who was born in a body that was male physically. I think Janet is not expressing that clear enough to Piers. And I think Piers, is confusing IDENTITY with the physical attributes that you are born with. But I don't this she is clearly explaining it to him. I think, in his mind, he thinks he is saying you were born with male parts, but had surgery to become accurately assign woman parts, which matches who your identity is and always was. But he is saying it wrong. But he just doesn't know it. I think the anger is then misplaced. He is trying to get it. But I think it need to be explained more clearly or maybe in a different way to him. When someone speaks, not everyone hears the same thing. People "hear" different things depending on their beliefs system, their background, their culture. But it's no offense to Janet either. We can't always communicate what we mean to 100% of the people 100% of the time. There WILL be people who misunderstand you, no matter how many ways you try to explain.

[@kristacarignan1896]

UMMMM HE CLEARLY DID NOT READ HER BOOK... HOW CAN YOU BE AN INTERVIEWER AND NOT READ THE BOOK .... THIS IS DISAPPOINTING

[@Starlinerevents]

KeetWeet, and others, your comment is typical of what many people think. God made her what she is and she was born with an anatomy she couldn't live with, period. People grow up to be men and women, they aren't born men and women. Some people are born blind or without legs but society shows compassion and does everything humanly possible to make them see or walk. It has nothing to do with clothes, shoes, weaves, operations or being gay or straight. It has to do with the person being who their brain tells them they are. It is scientifically and medically proven that peoples gender is separate from their anatomy and sometimes develops different than the norm. 70% of these people commit suicide because they cant have kids, don't have ovaries and cant breast feed or simply cant or aren't allowed to transition. They are human and not wanting to be an object, an animal or a plant. They have to be the sex their brain tells them they are, period. You might as well be making fun of a blind person by saying 'Hey Blindy' or a person without legs 'Hey Cripple' to be saying "Mister" to this person. Go look at yourself in the mirror and think about compassion.

[@realdivabitch]

you can't take the man out of woman in janet mock's case, it's soooo true. look at that face!!!!

[@sydneyziss9438]

The chyron/caption “Janet Mock: was a boy until age 18” somehow bothers me more than anything Piers said

[@sydneyziss9438]

This pops up at 1:37 btw

[@flippfloppify]

Well he does suffer from stick-up-the-arse and this is completely out of his comfort-zone, because he simply can't see deeper then the surface. Wanted to hear about her, her work and what she does today for the community. Janet is being very graceful about it though.

[@boipelopolite6803]

Janet is so beautiful 😍❤️

[@shauncrosby4483]

you are also beautiful 💪🏼💯

[@ivartheboneless5745]

Handsome*

[@peas4brains]

Damn mad props to Janet Mock, she handled this interview very well. Because we all know piers morgan didnt get the memo for trans politeness/ non-ignorant questioning.

[@charliegreen5361]

The problem with Piers Morgan is that he asks you a question and then whilst you're answering it (or perhaps getting to the point), he asks you another question.

[@abdulrahmanalzaabi8689]

No matter what you do or what you think. You know that deep in there you are a man.

[@Kujunigga]

Lol look at everyone flipping out in this comment section! Relax, I can't stand Piers myself but he asking genuine questions so he can learn! Trans people always get angry and violent when people try to converse with them! Lmao

[@maxx_thedragondominator]

Sendawula Kajubi maybe because they really do have a mental illness......oops

[@maxx_thedragondominator]

Sendawula Kajubi maybe because they really do have a mental illness......oops

[@WendellsCat]

Sendawula Kajubi Yeah, I know. I feel the same. Many of the most prominent faces of the trans community have exhibited awful behavior. This is who you want representing? Keep looking. Piers was only asking questions, and I am no fan of his. He didn't deserve the backlash.

[@ferre77]

You would react that way too if someone was directly attacking your gender and the essence of who you are as a person. If you don't get that you have bigger issues to tend too.

[@kristacarignan1896]

OK, I got through it, and I feel like it was an awkward interview, but the ending seemed to show Piers' good intentions of maybe giving some encouragement to other trans people... I think this could be a teachable moment for him as someone with such a large platform. Overall just a bit clumsy, maybe some good can come from it?

[@TheMrsB]

I didn't find him offensive & I couldn't stand hom while he was on air. Not everyone in the world is well versed in lgtbq vernacular & how to address their particular difficulties. He asked questions as alluded to after he read her book. He mentioned the book several times, showing it onscreen. Furthermore, one wouldn't expect to come on the Piers Morgan show to have a substantive, wide ranging convo on such a serious subject in a limited timeframe, would one?

[@octainssx8631]

HE WAS BORN A MAN GUESS WHAT HE STILL A MAN WILL ALLWAYS BE

[@Karenwise69]

"Transsexual"....IS THE CLINIC TERM! Not man but TRANSWOMAN! A new form of SUPERHERO :)

[@ivartheboneless5745]

@octainss x exactly nothing will change it

[@Shantellywashington]

I’m not even trans but watching this 8 years later the trigger words here are triggering me like no no no 😳

[@siriusjones956]

His honesty is amazing.

[@josiecollins2753]

This is all so amazing she is the truth

[@iloveamerica007]

he is definitely Mock

[@bryanzhang314]

i found this guy incredibly annoying, some of the questions, and some of the things he said were very unpleasant... I have respect for the woman to deal with him with grace.

[@kingwithoutacrown1]

+Bryan Zhang Which woman ?!

[@nyxqueen5417]

+King Without A Crown Janet

[@kingwithoutacrown1]

Lily Lily That's not a woman and you know it. It's a freak. And you're a freak by default if you think she's no freak. Me normal, you freak. I know it and you know it. No go and do some abnormal stuff ;-)

[@nyxqueen5417]

+King Without A Crown ur idea of normal is different from mine. Everyone is different. No one is the same. There for there is no normal

[@lil_tungsta]

THIS is what all the controversy is about? -__-

[@nfinn42]

please read my reply to therealjharris.

[@natalieschell3777]

can you guys leave her alone?

[@leeandrew7338]

*him

[@eugenechauke3849]

Piers’ probing made me so uncomfortable

[@CNTFam]

It's hard to watch someone so utterly self absorbed. Next.

[@kilove1]

whats funny with this is no matter what he or she did to their body they are still the same person ,you were born.

[@kristinamarie2462]

Exactly, and she was born female:)

[@castilllione]

I finally show up here to look at what the whole fucking fuzz was about and didn't see absolutely anything. This journalist seemed quite the gentleman trying to ask the right questions "not being the know it all" on the subject and she seemed fine.. If this is what causes so much trouble when talking to a transsexual than now I know that when I come across one I will not say or ask a single thing!!!! sheeeshhh

[@devotheambivert9875]

I know people who are in the LGBT community. I don't treat them as subpar or less than human in any way. I am not discriminatory towards them. However, I do not support that lifestyle, behavior, or state of mind. I do not condone LGBT behavior, but I do not hate LGBT people. I do not bash them for choosing to do what they felt was best. Everyone has his or her own brain to think for himself or herself. I enjoy being heterosexual. There is no need to tamper with my natural self or genetically modify who I am. I feel like those butt injections, face lifts, gender change operations, and whatnot are forms of insecurity and low self-esteem (with all due respect).

[@teddayer6523]

There is nothing wrong with this interview. I don’t agree with Piers on everything but here he is perfectly fine.

[@harrymunk8861]

He is a dreadful interviewer, but she overreacted massively. Woman who used to be a man, writes book about how she used to be a man, then does interview on national TV about her book about how she used to be a man and then complains about him mentioning that she used to be a man. Without that one fact, there is no story here.

[@melmellovesyou1]

You know what would help stop these petty arguments? If you could all mutually consider the fact that both Piers and Mock did not handle this interview well. Isn't that common sense? Why are we picking each apart? This fight is for equality, right? Do unto others. In case you were wondering, I am also an LGBT activist. "The problem in conversation is that we don't listen to understand, we listen to respond."

[@jepsl93]

But to assume we have achieved equality yet, or that the insults and ignorance spouted by Morgan have an equal impact on the trans* community as Mock's inability to educate him, completely disregards the disproportionately greater struggles minority groups, specifically trans women of color, continue to face; including the struggle of not having nearly enough positive representation. Janet Mock chose to present herself as a charming, intelligent woman of color in the first interview because she knew she was fighting an uphill battle with all the stereotypes already in play regarding her multiple identities. But when she decided truth was more important than positive visibility, Morgan did not use that full week he had before the 2nd interview to pick up her goddamn book and just read the first ten pages of the intro or bother to do any research into trans* literature to see that sex and gender are not the same thing. He only did so after getting owned by Mock's superb grace and passionate articulation of the struggles of trans girls.

[@melmellovesyou1]

john parvin That's not what I was trying to imply so I'm sorry that it sounded that way. That's not what I meant by equal..obviously trans* people are oppressed and white cisgender men will never understand that struggle first hand...but our goal is for everyone to be considered equal one day, right (not by eliminating diversity of course, but collectively knowing that everyone is worthy/beautiful in their own way)? I mean we're all human at heart; we all make mistakes. And seeing people being oppressed for just being who they are has always hurt me (since I am both pansexual and gender-fluid..not to mention mulitracial). I just think that if people communicate to understand each other, rather than to ridicule each other, things go so much more smoothly.That's just something I realized recently. And I agree that Morgan was a lot less professional/prepared; this is also obvious. I just think if it's always a group 1 vs. group 2 mindset, things will never change. Unfortunately I am but a mere idealist and know this is unlikely to happen within this generation...yet.

[@nicolesmith806]

I don't see the big deal about this interview. He was not disrespectful or rude at all; just grappling with a concept he didn't understand.

[@vonh7047]

If you are not trans how would you know if he was being rude? You wouldn't.

[@rocknroll6332]

Piers Morgan is just a pseudo intellectual guy.

[@itsnotkira]

this is such a disgusting interview... and idk why his show captions her as "was a boy until age 18"??? obviously... she wasn't...ever...a boy.. as she has stated multiple times not only in her book but in the interview. as a trans person myself i can feel her pain here at again having her gender be the only thing he seems to want to talk about... not the fact that she's an author and an activist but just stuff about her being trans...

[@alexojideagu]

+kira She was genetically a boy, this is a fact

[@underrated9966]

😑

[@hanaaba9179]

The contradiction simply stems from the trans community informing us that their is a distinction between sex and gender. And yet, the TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY encourages individuals to undergo surgery to overcome their gender dysphoria and align with the sex that follows the GENERAL STEREOTYPE.This simply suggests that there is, in fact a correlation between the two. Because if there weren't why is are so many individuals following through these procedures? Meaning why do so many transgender people follow through with sex reassignment surgery? If gender and sex are truly fundamentally different than there would be no need for surgery now, would there?

[@nyxqueen5417]

Some don't want or get the surgery, transgender people don't force it on others, they just say it's an option. Some want it some don't.

[@monabling8807]

Watched 55 seconds of the video and I’ve said ”Oh my GOD Pierce you just didn’t say that...” like 6 times already. SERIOUSLY, GET A GRIP and learn some manners.

[@khadijagwen]

Janet is the most authentic trans person I have ever seen. Girl, you just need to stop ratting yourself off!

[@EmiGoesRawrr]

Wow. Two things you don't do is talk about a trans person's biological gender so ignorantly and you don't mention their previous names so bluntly. It's so intrusive, ignorant and rude.

[@EmiGoesRawrr]

Lilly OfTheValley I never said you need to look after them. It's just basic manners to not try and humiliate someone on television. It's just rude.

[@mablesyrup1571]

Yeah, if she had not been born a boy, she would not be interesting. No one would want to read a book about her. She's beautiful but that is all. Her only claim to fame is her transgenderism. So she should not engage in faux outrage when she is questioned about it.

[@megnuevo]

If Mr. Morgan is indeed a supporter of the LGBT community like he said he is, I salute and thank him. I personally admire his work. However, as a Transgender myself, watching the interview made me feel that Janet's purpose of being in the show was not fully "accommodated". I also think it lacked research on how Transgenderism is and knowing how sensitive Transpeople can be when it comes to issues concerning our journey in the past towards our present selves. This was displayed in the lack of better "terms" used in the interview in addressing Janet and the Transwomen in general (i.e. was a boy until 18, was a man, etc.). People may laugh about how silly it can be but for Transgendered people, it is a major "subject". I also recognize that Mr. Morgan cannot be expected to fully understand the so called "Trans world” and everything that goes with it, which could have caused the said aftermath of all this (Twitter exchange of opinions and stuff) but it would have helped if Mr. Morgan had better knowledge about the issue. The interview was not about Janet. It should have been about her book and the struggles of the Trans community in general. Now, I am not even sure if Mr. Morgan did actually read the book.

[@Galactusz007]

I'd rather have transgender Janet Mock, as my cellmate, instead of Big Bad Bubba, if I was incarcerated...that's all I'm saying, lol...

[@veeseee128]

Real name is Charles Mock

[@desireepadmore5360]

She's Beautiful I Would've Never Knows She Was A He Damn 😱

[@maovslandlords9244]

She isn't a "He".

[@JasmineYv3]

why do white interviewers constantly compare black women, especially trans women, to beyonce.... are we just ALL little beyonces and naomi campbells... jeez.. its sort of annoying.

[@Dunam]

He says it as a well-meant compliment...

[@JasmineYv3]

I'm sure he did... but even in my personal life i am often called Naomi Campbell...(who I do sort of resemble) but I still often get referred to as ANY black female celebrity... its just wierd... and still slightly annoying... the other day some white guy told me that I reminded him of Micheal Jackson... lol..

[@Dunam]

Jasmine Mckay Well I'm happy for you if being compared to beautiful celebrities is the worst of your problems. The michael jackson thing is funny though, in a bad way.

[@JasmineYv3]

It certainly isnt the biggest issue, but it does deserve attention and discussion. I mean is beyonce the standard for black beauty?

[@silverfox389]

Jasmine Mckay stop making a deal outta nothing

[@marlo1987sh]

I cant believe that this was a man. You cant even fuckin tell!!!

[@ivartheboneless5745]

Still he is a man but you cant tell sadly

[@charliegray4813]

I mean, it's not so much he was asking the wrong questions, but he was asking them the wrong way. Especially in regards to her gender history. You generally shouldn't discuss gender history, and if you do you shouldn't discuss it so bluntly.

[@shauncrosby4483]

💪🏼💯

[@poppyseed1000]

shes really pretty idk what this video is about

[@DeliciousSexyPie]

She's a guy that's what the story about

[@nfinn42]

Don't listen to Mica, who is misinformed. Mock is a trans*woman*. The interview is about her autobiographical book re: gender identity and transitioning.

[@benisturning30]

I don't get how he's being offensive. Just don't get this trans stuff at all and don't care.

[@euphemiadecroix2624]

gendertrender.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/christopher-jessica-hambrook-serial-rapist-sexually-assaulted-and-terrorized-women-after-being-placed-in-toronto-area-womens-shelters/

[@SuperKittenboots]

What I find offensive and problematic is Piers saying " You meet a man and you had to tell him you were born a man" No she wasn't and this is what's offensive. If I walk up to Piers and ask him if he's a trans woman, he'd look at me like I was crazy, so maybe that's the best way to explain how trans women feel when someone says the whole "you were a man". No honey, if I was anything besides a trans woman, I would be something other than a trans woman today!

[@keysersoze6284]

Forgive my ignorance Kittenboots, but other than the rare occasion where some people are literally born with female genetics but have a penis, surely most just feel in themselves that they aren't the right gender? It's not a genetic thing? Apart from the odd occasion as I said

[@SuperKittenboots]

Well once who never felt like a man can be expected to identify or be expected to tell someone that they are is my point.

[@DickJohnson3434]

This is the first trans woman I've seen that could possibly fool me. It's a little creepy.

[@JK-xz6mj]

Saint Janet

[@MrMysteryguy96]

I thought she was Mel B for a minute !

[@ivartheboneless5745]

He*

[@blacklite911]

Totally off topic but I would prefer if a transgendered person tell me up front that they are transgendered if I was dating them, if they still have male genitalia. There's just no way I would be sexually attracted to them if they had male genitalia. Its just a waste of time.

[@funtown101]

interesting. but in some pictures of janet you can still see the male features....that won't change.