A mum has revealed her seven-year-old son wears the girls’ uniform to class – and says she is “so proud” of him for teaching others it is OK to be different.
Theo Easton said he would like to return to school in September wearing the uniform usually given to female class members.
Mum, Marion, 39, has made his “dream” a reality – with the young lad heading back to classes this month opting to wear a pinafore dress.
“Theo is wearing whatever he decides that morning – for example last week he wore three days of girls’ attire and two of boys,” the stay-at-home mum, from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“When you ask Theo what gender he is he says ‘I’m a boy/girl [or] I’m a boy in girls clothes’.
“When he finished up in June for the summer holidays, Theo mentioned when he goes back to school in August, his dream come true [would be] if he could wear a girls uniform.
“I wasn’t surprised, although at first I also wasn’t sure how to handle it.
“I knew I would need to speak to his school and find out procedures and policies around the full situation.
“I have to say, I am incredibly grateful to all the staff at Theo’s school.
“They have listened and are fully supportive regarding Theo’s choices.
“I am asking myself if I have made the right decision in allowing him to express himself so openly, however, he is genuinely happy.
“I know that, regardless of which path or direction he takes as he gets older, I will fully support him.
“He is teaching a lot of others that it is alright to be different.
“I’m just so very proud of him..”
Despite attracting some negative comments – including “the world has gone bonkers”, dubbing it “shocking” and saying it will “end in tears” – Marion is comfortable with her open-minded approach.
She said: “I have had a few trolls [online] and a few people have mentioned they don’t agree with it.
“Not one of the comments has gotten to me one bit – I have giggled at most of them.
“Let’s be honest, diversity makes the world an interesting place – if everyone had the same thoughts and beliefs then it would be boring.
“I have never sugar-coated the feedback that Theo may get from time to time, and I have warned him about nasty comments.
“He has a come-back for almost everything negative that may come his way.
“It makes him sad, but he says he feels sad for the people who say the horrible things, as he feels they aren’t as open-minded as others.
“My response to negativity is [to say] everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinions.
“I am not a bad parent for allowing my child to be their true self.
“I am trying to allow my children to be strong, happy and valued members of society.
“I am confident I am doing a decent job as my children are happy, healthy and don’t feel they need to hide their thoughts and feelings – as I tell them their opinions and emotions are completely valid, and it’s good to express ourselves.”
