FDNY Accepts First Transgender Firefighter
New York Fire Department has welcomed its first transgender firefighter on board. The new male-to-female firefighter is called “Brooke.” She is a third-generation firefighter and reports indicate that her father still works with the department, called the “Bravest.”
Brooke, whose surname has not been released yet, is working at Metrotech headquarters as a desk worker scheduling appointments for new recruits. The HQ is famous for its macho environment, which only has 32 women on the job.
In a written statement, Brooke said: “I am appreciative of the support that the FDNY has given me during this time in my life.
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“However, it is my expressed wish that the details of my personal and professional life remain private.”
Recently, the FDNY has been blasted for not hiring enough black people and female firefighters. 91 percent of its 11,000 firefighters are white males.
Brooke is the first transgender woman in the force.
The issue of transgender people taking prominent roles has been a hotly debated issue recently. In particular, the inclusion of Chaz Bono to the "Dancing with the Stars" cast caused controversy.
One of the main concerns was that transgendered contestants will be confusing to children and inappropriate for a family program.
“I personally do not mind watching Chaz,” wrote Callisandria2. “The problem is that I watch this show with my 10 year old daughter. I am sure the show will talk about Chaz and the controversy, and I am not ready to explain all of that to her yet. We just barely covered the birds and the bees. We always watch one show together, in the fall it's DWTS, and in the spring it's American Idol. Looks like we will try X-factor instead this season.”
Other fans were more blunt.
“Manufactured genitalia is not the conversation I want to have with my children,” said trident606.
