Katie Couric has been learning a lot about gender fluidity for new documentary ‘Gender Revolution’

In 2014 Katie Couric asked Carmen Carerra about her ‘private parts’ when she hosted the transgender actress and model on her daytime talk show.

Later on the same show, Laverne Cox came on and explained to Couric why such a question is inappropriate.

It was a major teachable moment for Couric and led to her new documentary Gender Revolution which premiered Monday (6 February) on National Geographic.

‘I’ve learned a lot since that show,’ Couric tells TheWrap.

‘The goal of doing the show when I interviewed Carmen Carrera was to keep in the question that I very insensitively and clumsily asked and use it as a teachable moment. Laverne Cox came on, and we had a whole conversation about why that kind of question is offensive.

‘That show was taped and I asked them to keep it and not excise that part. I was willing to embarrass myself to help other people understand and make a point. It’s an extremely sensitive topic.’

In the two-hour documentary, the former anchor of CBS Evening News and NBC’s The Today Show sets about exploring the rapidly evolving complexities of gender identity.

Couric says she tried to use her lack of knowledge as a learning device. Among the things she learned: ‘I had never heard of the expression “deadnaming” [the act of referring to a transgender person’s birth name instead of their chosen name] before. “Woodworking,” [blending into society after transitioning] I had never really heard of.

‘I tried to have an openness to learning with a desire to ask direct questions. It was a balancing act between trying to be direct and ask questions people at home would ask, but not be insensitive.’