Proud mum supports young transgender son

According to Joseph’s mum Sam, the young boy from Wales asked for a wig for Christmas, a pink cake and princess toys for his birthday.

The nine-year-old has showed his feminine side since being a toddler by playing with Barbie dolls and painting his nails, and is now making the transition to becoming Ellie-Jo.

“He's a bright boy and his school grades are all good but he's a real girly-girl and doesn't like football or anything like that. Joseph is the one who has made this choice,” she said.

“Some days he'll come home from school and put a dress on, some days it'll be a t-shirt and jeans.”

“It's easier for him to dress-up and paint his nails when he's indoors at the moment because he can still get a little embarrassed when someone notices his nails.”

“He's started going out in a dress when he is with me so that'll prepare him for when he has to go out on his own and do it. He wants to back to school as a girl in September.”

Sam insists it’s up to Joseph to decide his gender, and allowed him to wear a princess dress to his school's non-uniform day.

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“What child at the age of nine chooses to go outside dressed as a girl? As an adult that would not be normal. I wouldn't do that - that's bravery. He's my son and I will back him all the way whatever he wants to do,” she said.

'”If he turns around in five years' time and says I want to be a boy or I want to make the change permanent then I will never stand in his way.'

Experts say they will wait until Joseph's hormones develop by the time he is 11-years-old to see if his decision is a lasting choice. But Sam has no doubt in her mind that Joseph has gender dysphoria.

“He is definitely more confident as Ellie-Jo and more content in himself. I just wanted to raise awareness because I had no idea about this until Joseph started acting more like a girl when he was two. I want to help other families feel as secure and comfortable with it as I am.”