Nickelodeon Casts First Openly Trans Teen in DANGER FORCE Episode
By Movieguide® Staff
Eighteen months ago, Nickelodeon HENRY DANGER star Micheal D. Cohen publicly announced that he transitioned nearly 20 years ago from a biological girl to identifying as a man.
After Cohen’s announcement, the actor pushed for trans and non-binary children in prominent roles on Nickelodeon’s most popular shows through the Trans Youth Acting Challenge.
Now, Cohen shared that one of the 200 applicants, 13-year-old actor Sasha A. Cohen (no relation), is cast in the series DANGER FORCE. Cohen also cast Saha’s twin sister, Natalie.
“I want Sasha to see his own power as an actor and as a human,” Cohen told Variety. “I want him to feel proud of his work and feel real confident in himself in every aspect and to know that he will help change kids’ lives by being the first kid of trans experience on Nickelodeon in live action.”
Sasha added: “I had never felt comfortable about who I am, and I always thought that I would never play a transgender role. But there are so many kids out there who need to see someone like them — a role model who has the ability to put themselves out there.”
Nickelodeon’s executive vice president of programming and content strategy Paul DeBenedittis praised the decision.
“It has long been Nickelodeon’s mission to be a home for all kids, and to authentically represent them in their full diversity,” DeBenedittis said. “This episode of Danger Force ultimately tells a relatable story of friendship, openness and trust, through the lens of sitcom. We’re incredibly proud of it and of everyone involved.”
However, Nickelodeon’s narrative overlooks the devastation of pushing the trans agenda.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Cohen claims that offering children these opportunities allow them to learn more about themselves. “I know what it feels like to feel radically inauthentic. And that helps my acting and understanding different points of view,” Cohen said. “I approach it like, yes, I really, really want to know what it’s like to be that other character, but my only way to do that is to dig deeper into myself.”
Movieguide® wants to share uplifting material that will help children not look within themselves, as Cohen suggests, but to look outside of themselves to their Creator. When it comes to identity, Movieguide® is adamant about media discernment. What we watch and what we let our children watch has a significant effect on how we see the world.
However, as more and more TV networks push the LGBTQ and Transgender agendas, the voices of “detransitioners” are silenced.
Movieguide® previously reported:
The LGBTQ community expressed their anger over a recent 60 MINUTES segment on CBS that highlighted the stories of detransitioners and the danger of transgender medicalization.
Detransitioners are individuals who abandoned their transgender identity and want to live as their biological sex.
The segment comes after the promotion of several state legislations that would prohibit and restrict experimental medications and cosmetic gender surgery on minors.
CBS’s coverage of the issue could mark a shift in the transgender debate.
“I didn’t get enough pushback on transitioning. I went for two appointments and after the second one, I had my letter to go get on cross-sex hormones,” said a young man named Garrett from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Garrett continued by saying that while many transgender advocates claim that the lack of an opportunity to transition results in higher suicide rates, he experienced more severe depression post-surgery.
“I had never really been suicidal before until I had my breast augmentation,” Garrett said. “And about a week afterward, I wanted to actually kill myself. I had a plan and I was going to do it but I just kept thinking about my family to stop myself.”
Grace Lidinsky-Smith, who transitioned and detransitioned in less than one year, noted that her change in identity made her question who she was as a human rather than giving her assurance.
“I can’t believe I transitioned then detransitioned, including hormones and surgery, in the course of like, less than one year,” Lidinsky-Smith said. “[I] started to have a really disturbing sense that, like, a part of my body was missing, almost a ghost limb feeling about being like, there’s something that should be there.”
Nickelodeon’s announcement further proves that parents must practice media wisdom in what their children consume, as well as train their children to learn how to discern content for themselves. For tips on media discernment, check out Movieguide®’s Parenting Resources.
Read Also: Previously Family-Friendly Shows Embrace LGBTQ Storylines
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
