Our family does not fit into “traditional” stereotypes. My wife is the breadwinner and I am a stay-at-home dad. We have raised our children to be unconstrained by gender stereotypes and have given them the freedom to follow their interests and make choices with few exemptions. Macy, our second oldest child, has preferred to dress and play more like stereotypical boys than girls since about the age of three. This is commonly referred to as “being a tomboy”. Over the years, Macy has felt like there is something different about her though. She didn’t feel like a tomboy; she felt like a boy. We have spent time discussing, researching, and meeting with various professionals and have come to understand that Macy is transgender. This means she is male even though her anatomy at birth was female. For Macy to have the best opportunity to be her authentic self and continue living a life with joy, she has begun to transition to being male. The first step has been to take a masculine name. She has chosen the name Miles Emerson Watts. Miles still has the same infectious laugh, clever wit, passion for helping others and love of sports as he always had… just with a new name, Miles. For some time, our family has been working through understanding and supporting Miles in his transition. We hope you too will be understanding and supportive. You may have some questions, as we have had and will have. I will answer any question you have to the best of my ability. Below I have included some of the resources that have been helpful for us. We encourage you to read, watch and visit these for more information. I look forward to continuing to share our challenges and triumphs as we journey forward in parenting four amazing and beautiful children. Resources: www.pflag.org - national non-profit organization with local chapters all over the U.S. that offers support to family and friends of gay, lesbian and transgender people. Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric - newscasting legend Katie Couric takes us on a journey to discover modern-day dynamics of gender. Trans - a documentary film by Chris Arnold that provides a glimpse into the lives of transgender people. www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/what-is-gender-dysphoria - American Psychiatric Association explanation of what being transgender means (clinically described as “gender dysphoria”) https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/4/e20182162 - American Academy of Pediatrics statement urging support and care of transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/4/e20174218 - American Academy of Pediatrics study of Transgender Adolescent Suicide Behavior finding "female to male adolescents reported the highest rate of attempted suicide (50.8%)." http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2016/gender-lines-science-transgender-identity/ - Harvard Grad Student shares the science of transgender identity Raising Ryland - a book about a family raising a transgender child |
Al WattsFather of 4, Husband, Catholic, Historian, published author, LGBTQ+ ally, runner, sports fan (he/him/his) Archives
May 2020
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