Tonight’s episode of Inside Story follows the family of Evie, an 11-year-old girl who is transgender. Born Ethan, Evie told her parents when she was just six years old that she was born in the wrong body.
While the last few years have seen the family tackle an incredible challenge, host Leila McKinnon says Evie and her family would be considered remarkable even if it weren’t for their inspirational story.
“Her loving, ordinary Australian family never had a choice in this. She was a girl. She was only a boy in her nightmares. Life, and puberty, may have more challenges ahead for Evie. But as her mother says she will never be defined by what’s between her legs,” said Leila.
Now a vibrant and articulate little girl, Evie told producers she was desperately depressed when she was a boy.
“Before I was Evie, I just felt alone. I felt sad, and the only thing that would cheer me up was playing with girl stuff,” shared Evie. “Everyone’s telling you who you’re supposed to be, and you should be acting like a boy. But I never was a boy.”
Heartwarmingly, Evie has had the unwavering support of her parents since the day she told them she was unhappy living life as a male.
Speaking about their little girl’s courage and strength makes mum Meagan beam with pride. “She had to fight to become who she is. Evie’s a girl, and she just happens to have a penis. It’s as simple as that,” said Megan.
The sentiment of the mother-of-five’s statements are echoed by her husband, Scott.
“Our love for our child is everything”, the doting father says to the camera. “She has our support no matter what. She won’t be alone.”
While Evie’s childhood isn’t typical, the little girl hopes sharing her story can help other children come forth as being transgender. In December, she even helped launch Australia’s first transgender education book for children, ‘The Gender Fairy’, written by the mother of a transgender child, Jo Hirst.
In many ways, Evie excels beyond her years, and Leila McKinnon isn’t alone in saying she sees a bright future ahead of the 10-year-old.
“She’s a funny and courageous young Australian and I expect we will see her achieving incredible things in the future,” Leila said.
Has your child asked you questions about gender identity?
Top Comments
At 6-years-old, my son told me he had a pet dragon.
What do 6-year-olds really know?
It's also totally fine to be XY male or XX female and not conform to an assigned gender role. It's ok, it's normal and natural, to be a girl and do a whole lot of stuff that other people describe as "for boys". We all do.
Likewise it's ok, normal and natural, to be a boy and have characteristics, preferences or attributes that others label "feminine". We all do. Because, mostly, these things aren't confined to one sex or the other, they're human.