We examined how society, not only the media, has created and fostered a strict gender binary in our world, and especially in the United States. Even the smallest aspects of life, like public restrooms, affect those who do not identify with the typical male/female gender roles. We live in a place that unfortunately does not provide a place for the transgendered and disgendered people who choose not to conform to the stereotypical idea of what it means to be a boy or a girl, a man or a woman. Many people are still very uncomfortable with the idea of a person not conforming to the gender that matches with the sex he/she was born with--the story of David Reimer (David vs. Brenda) and his parents' decision is a perfect example. This polarized gender binary is so prevalent that even kids around the ages of 3-4 already have firm ideas about what it means to be a boy or a girl (which can be seen in this youtube video).
This is an article about Taco Bell and a discriminating radio ad that offended many transgendered, and eventually led to a law suit.
However, between universities and organizations like the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition (http://www.mntranshealth.org/) taking steps to provide resources for the transgendered and disgendered members of our world, we are slowly taking steps towards becoming a more open society in which people will no longer have to fear being ostracized and isolated, but instead can thrive. They may only be baby steps, but every little bit counts.