In response to imperfect27 post in regards to labelling and if perhaps doing away with gender labeling blurs the lines.
My daughter aged 2 back in 1996 asked me where her willy was. Of course I told her she didn't have one as she was a girl. Her response was ' It's growing then'....
In the years she never varied. She played with boys toys, wore boyish clothes, played with boys etc. When she was 10 her period strated, and it was a case of suicide attempts, self harm, and when her breasts began to form she bound them with a belt.
We saw a psychologist who referred us to the Tavistock gender clinic. At 15 we changed her name by deed poll and correct pronouns were used. She was seen and assessed regularly until 16 when puberty blockers were given - at 18 testosterone began and 20 a double mascetomy.
My son is now 24.
You might ask why I write such a personal statement. It was the most painful experience - clinging on to a daughter that had always insisted she was a he. Watching her suffer every day. Writing letters to God to help.
I had a choice, a dead daughter or living son. Did I birth a gender or child? Did I love my child because they conformed to their gender?
Labelling is labelling, if a child is truly born into the wrong body, labelling isn't going to make a difference - it is society constantly insisting we behave in a gendered role, and society who judges so harshly when we don't fit into that box.
My son has suffered vile, hateful comments and threats. Yet he remains decent, caring and human. With feelings.
We need to accept as a society we are all different. There is nothing wrong with different. And if society were kinder those who face such challengers would not feel so alone.
I still grieve for my daughter. But he is an amazing son, whom I am so proud of for facing what has been so very difficult.
Shall we reboot our cartoons thread again? 😁
Is there such a thing as delicious ready meals?