“My name is Stephen. I identify as a trans man, a f*ggy queen, a homosexual, a queer, a nerd fighter, a writer, an artist and a guy who needs a haircut.”
This is fascinating.
It’s a video of 20-year-old Stephen Beatty, who is the son of Warren Beatty and Annette Bening. They also have two daughters, Isabel and Ella, and a son Ben.
Stephen identifies as transgender and gay – he was born a female named Kathlyn Elizabeth and decided to switch genders in 2009.
In the video, Stephen – who is an activist for the transgender community – talks about his transition and who has been most supportive. But there’s no mention of his parents.
Take a look:
This from the UK press:
It’s no secret in Hollywood that Warren Beatty and Annette Bening had a hard time accepting the transitioning of their eldest daughter to a boy.
It’s a story which appears further confirmed by a recent video in which their son Stephen Ira Beatty, born Kathryn Elizabeth Beatty, lists the people who have been most supportive of his gender switch.
‘My friends, my peers who I’m lucky to have relationships with a lot of, ever since high school, when I came out and transitioned socially when I was 14 or so,’ says Stephen, who appears to be standing in his college dorm room.
The eldest of Hollywood power couple Beatty and Bening, Stephen is a sophomore student at the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College in New York.
Stephen Beatty
Comments
49 Comments so far
This kid is absolutely delightful. Good on him for doing this.
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Oh my goodness. This is one of those times where I’m so goddamn proud of my generation. He’s articulate, rational, passionate and all of those things that people like to accuse my generation of NOT being. I hope he takes over the world! And with a beautiful smile like that, I don’t think it would be hard for him to do so
I love you a little bit
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What an awesome guy! How I would love to have a small part of his compassionate intelligence. And also his knack for entertaining! Passion like his is truly valuable.
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I watched this with my trans boyfriend last night and we both had smiles on our faces, for different reasons. He, because he loves to see young, trans kids emerge from the horrible fog of uncertainty and into the positiveness that happens when they decide to transition…and me, because Mamamia are sending out the right message about trans folk and aren’t afraid to talk about it. More please!
Really, really commend you for this one, guys. Keep it up x
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Brilliant! I loved it.
What a great guy.
Also
1. He looks enormously like my good friends daughter! I can’t get over it.
2. My daughter talks that fast. Her thoughts go a mile a minute in her head, so she talks fast to try and keep up with them. I suspect Stephen is the same.
Plus I think wantedo get a lot said in a small amount of time.
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When I’m asked about myself I don’t always mention my parents either.
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What an amazing young man. I hope his parent’s are proud because they should be. Life is hard enough, how brave that Stephen knew at such a young age and has been able to transition early. He looks happy and really that’s all we want for our kids right? I know I do and I’m very proud of both my gay son & straight daughter
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i love this video, he seems so warm, switched on and articulate… if I had a son like this i would be very proud
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I would just like to suggest that he is speaking quickly because he is excited and passionate, rather than nervous, or for any other reason. I found it charming and infectious. My only other comment is on the use of words like ‘choice’ . That’s all
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He’s quite charming. I found myself smiling a lot during that.
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Lol I like the ending with the inexplicable tea pot and book.
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Well done, & so switched on for a 20yr..only wish more ppl had the same attitude about empathy & understanding that not everyone is the same & to judge is ignorance unless u have reached perfection, which ppl is nobody!!
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If I were only young and single again, he’d be my next pin up boy. He’s delightful.
I’m swooning a teeny bit. (Is that creepy?)
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What an intelligent, wise and thoughtful person. more power to you Stephen.
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Hey MM team would you mind changing your caption for the link to this story that you posted on Facebook? It’s a bit insensitive to trans* people to call him a ‘celebrity daughter who had a sex change’. A better caption would be ‘Annette and Warren’s son talks about transitioning’. Transitioning is the preferred term used when discussing trans* people instead of ‘sex change’. I know some may think I’m being too PC but sensitivity is a must when it comes to discussion about trans* people.
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Yes, you’re being way too politically correct!
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Actually, during the video Stephen says he wishes people would be more accountable and realize that words do hurt (I think I got right). In light of that I don’t think you are being too PC
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Here is why sensitivity when talking about trans* people in the media is important, Anonymous. Attached is analysis from a 2007 study on transgender people in Australia & New Zealand.
87% of trans* people surveyed had experienced discrimination or stigma and a third had been threatened with physical violence. In the United States, a transgender person is 40 % more likely to be murdered or attacked. There is good reason for ensuring the sensitive portrayal of transgender and intersex people. Research sometimes has to be done to ensure something is written with sensitivity but it should be done. A good place to start is the GLAAD media guide. I recommend that MamaMia download a free pdf copy of it.
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They have a massively higher risk of suicide as well
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Yep. Every single day transgender people risk their lives by just being who they are. The least we can do is have the media treat them with sensitivity and respect. It’s unfortunate that all too often one sees media articles with insensitive emphasis on “so and so used to be a he” or “so and so used to be a she”. It’s really not that difficult to instead simply say: X is transgender or X is transitioning. To call him ‘another celebrity daughter who has a sex change’ is insulting to trans* people. They fight their entire lives to be recognised and respected as being the gender or gender identity that they feel is truly theirs but they often have an uphill battle when it comes to the media.
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Also, just wanted to add. For stories like this, it’s best not to use the Daily Mail as a source. ‘Gender switch’ is not a very nice way to put it. The Daily Mail are not known for their sensitivity nor are they known for good journalism.
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“Political correctness”- usually cited by those who aren’t personally affected by the issues in question. Also usually cited by those who aren’t members of a minority and have little understanding of how words matter. (Pssst- they do.)
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Oh my giddy aunt! Did he just say he wanted to be accountable for his ableism so he cut the term “drives me insane” from the video? That is beyond awesome.
I generally have a lot of faith in our young people, but this makes we want to squeal with joy for the future. Go Stephen!
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Yes! Yes he did! How cool was that….
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And did you just use the phrase, “Oh my giddy aunt!”? Stella you rock – I love your writing, even in less than 150 characters you put a smile on my face.
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What a beautiful and clever boy. My heart goes out for him, he seems to be an incredibly clever and perceptive person but also very anxious from his million-mile an hour speech. As prevous commenters have said it’s great that we live in a more enlightened age – although sometimes it feels like the world is becoming a more scarey and violent place – it’s also becoming a more evolved and accepting place (at least in some privileged parts!) And he looks like Warren I think!
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I don’t think he’s anxious. I think he’s enthusiastic and passionate. And, most importantly, comfortable in his own skin.
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I love this kid! slooow down… you already had me at question two.
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I love that people can be what they want. I love the ease that our kids now accept other people and their choices. i remember when i was a teenager in the late 80′s, people got beat up because of their sexual preference, not just teased or bullied, they got bashed………………people its slowly getting better and thats awesome.
I know kids throw around the terms, fag and such but thats just a word and if how far we have come counts as anything hopefully in another 20 years when their kids are teenagers there is no longer a need to call people names. It might not happen fast but its kind of happening
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I don’t know, people still get bashed as well as teased and bullied, and fag is not ‘just a word’. We still have a long way to go
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Can I have a fag/ hang on I’m having a fag etc. its also short for faggott which is a piece of wood for a fireplace. it is just a word.
Read Enid blyton. The word gay is liberally sprinkled throughout.
You’re talking about context here.
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It also means bundle of sticks, or bassoon, and a meat-dish, and you can bet most people aren’t using it in those contexts either. I am talking about context and when I hear someone say ‘that annoying fag’ they’re not discussing how their cigarettes are pissing them off.
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Words matter
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It took a lot of concentration trying to listen & keep up with him when he was speaking! Exhausting!
I’m very grateful that my children are happy with the gender they were born with & are hetro-sexual. Life is hard enough as it is!
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Believe me I don’t like those words as much as you dont too. I really think we need to stay positive and support the change in tines so that kids like these can have a wonderful life.
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Are you really sure your kids are hetero?
They could be bi, too, you know…. Just sayin’.
(I personally think everyone in the world is ‘a little bit gay’ or has the inclination to have a gay relationship)
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What a brilliant, warm, creative kid – he’ll develop nicely into an awesome teacher/writer and I look forward to reading his stuff as he matures.
Yes, his parents would quite naturally have problems with his choices but only because the world can be so cruel at times to anyone who’s different. No-one wants to see their child harmed because of those choices but sadly, we can’t always be there to protect them from those ignorant fascists who demand that everyone “toe the line”.
His youthful energy is so engaging and I hope it doesn’t diminish too much when he finds out how the world works.
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He seems like a lovely, articulate and bright kid and that matters more than whatever his gender may or may not be.
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I completely agree with you Katrina, but the best part is that Stephen appears to know all this already. Honest, energetic and heartfelt – I loved it.
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Whoa Stephen, take a breath!
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What an awesome guy! I’m a girl the same age as him(Well, he’s a month older), I reckon we’d be friends, lol! LOVED the video <3
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What wonderfully articulated, intelligent person, and has Annette’s beautiful smile which lights up his whole face!
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Wow, he’s very frenetic. I would like think I would love my daughter no matter what sex she was, but isn’t the fact she’s a girl part of the reason I love her? Maybe not? Anyhows, I really could not see myself disowning her if this was the path she chose. Stephen seems like a bright, passionate, good human being and shouldn’t that be all that matters?
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I would be extremely proud if this were my child. What a wonderful role model to all kids – Transgender or not. His smile is infectious and even though he spoke so very fast it was well thought out.
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Stephen comes across as an intelligent, funny, confident and happy young man. Isn’t that what we all really want for our children, for them to grow up to be happy and confident.
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So fast! Couldn’t really catch a lot of what he was saying!
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What an incredibly articulate and vivacious kid….
He seems very happy and secure in himself and his sexual identity. I bet his parents are very proud.
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I hope his parents are very proud…..
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I’ve heard (& mind you, my grapevine to Hollywood is shaky at best…) that Warren is not proud at all, & pissed with Annette for being supportive…..
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