A mom from Brisbane Australia has announced her daughter’s gender transition into a boy with an amazing, incredibly emotional Facebook slideshow. Renee Fabish posted the presentation on her Facebook page to explain the changes coming up for her whole family and her daughter Milla. She asked for the support of her friends and family as Milla transitions into being the boy he is inside.
The slide show begins by showing Milla as a baby, explaining that he was born happy and healthy. From the age of two, Milla started showing interest in toys designed for boys. He also began calling himself a “girl-boy,” and insisting on wearing only boy-themed clothes. By the age of six, Milla patently refused to wear any clothes that could be considered as being for a girl. He also insisted on having his hair cut into a boy style. After his mom complied, he was much happier.
Fabish grew alarmed, though, when Milla came to her asking if there was any medicine available that could turn him into a boy permanently. Milla started questioning his physical gender, saying “why was I born like this? I want to be a boy, not just look like one. I want to be a real boy.”
During this time, writes Fabish on the presentation, Milla was becoming extremely depressed and withdrawn, and would go to bed crying every single evening. He also stated that if he were to grow breasts, he was going to cut them off himself.
After realizing that Milla was not just simply “going through a phase” of being a “tomboy,” Fabish took Milla to the doctor, where he underwent a battery of tests. Finally, the family’s questions were answered and they realized that Milla was transgender, which is also called “gender dysphoria.” This is a condition that involves the person not feeling comfortable; or feeling a mismatch with, with the physical gender assigned at birth. “Milla was born female, but her brain identifies as male,” Fabish wrote.
Fabish then goes on to explain that no one talked Milla into these feelings and he cannot be dissuaded from them, because they are real and permanent. After Fabish realized that Milla is transgender, she decided to take the advice of numerous doctors and encourage Milla to transition into being a boy immediately.
This decision most likely saved Milla’s life.
Although society has progressed a great deal in understanding transgender people, there is still a long way to go. People who are trying to transition into a different gender are often the subject of bullying and abuse. Those who do not have the support of their families often attempt, and complete, suicide. That is why it is crucial for parents to allow and encourage their transgender children to transition into their authentic selves.
Just a few months ago, another transgender child, Leelah Alcorn, committed suicide by jumping in front of a truck on the highway. She killed herself because her parents refused to accept her true identity as a woman. The case made national headlines and caused outrage among the transgender community as well as advocates for LGBT causes. Leelah’s final wish was that her story could create much needed change. Her death left a void in the world and is a crushing loss to society. Who knows what Leelah could have accomplished with her life? Maybe the cure for cancer died with her. We will never know because of her parents’ refusal to accept their own daughter.
Luckily, this will not be the case for Milla. His mom has chosen to accept and support her son. “The only thing that has changed for us is pronouns,” writes Fabish. She goes on to write, “we support him wholeheartedly.” Fabish proceeds to explain that she absolutely refuses to let her son become one of the grim statistics that make news headlines regularly. Fabish points out that about half of all transgender people attempt to harm themselves. She is taking every step possible to ensure that Milla is able to lead a normal, happy, healthy and vibrant life.
The amazing and highly emotional slide show includes a clip of Milla talking about his struggles. In a heartbreaking moment, he explains that no one at school wants to be friends with him. He says he is routinely bullied by the other kids, who call him “gay girl,” “shim,” and “weirdo.” He says he is having “a really hard time.” He explains that he wants to be accepted for who he is, and that he is “lucky to have an awesome family” that is standing by his side every step of the way during his transition.
Milla finishes by asking for everyone’s support and then flashing an adorable smile. Fabish says her son is happier than ever now that he is going to be living as, and recognized as, a boy.
Fabish’s Facebook page is filled with messages of support under the video. Some commenters touched upon the bullying aspect, saying, “No way in hell should he have to feel any amounts of bullying! People are who they want to be. I support you and your family all the way.”
Others praised Fabish for her incredible parenting and said she is an example to other parents. “Renee, you and your family are a true inspiration,” one commenter wrote. “You are an amazing mum who has raised an amazing family through lots of hard times. I respect you for how you stand tall and proud and keep moving forward and facing everything that comes your way head on and with such a positive attitude. Many would have crumbled, but not you. You are a great role model for all parents and for your kids.”
“Wow!!!! That made me cry,” another commenter stated, “you are extremely amazing parents and your son deserves to live life his way and the way he feels in his heart it should be lived! This is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all should stand proud and this is something I will be showing my teenage son tomorrow too! Congratulations.”
The video has gone viral on Facebook and to date has received over two million views. Fabish makes it clear in her video presentation that she dearly loves her son. She ends the slide show with an impassioned plea. “Everybody is fighting a battle you know nothing about,” she writes. “Remember to be kind always.”
