Explaining things to my grandsons

Good for you, for explaining so frankly and matter-of-factly. And don't you love how children accept these things !

Brilliant NanKate We worry about children without cause often, they accept people as they are without preconceptions.

Mum and I loved Danny la Rue and the beautiful clothes, brilliant make-up too. She wouldn't miss his shows if she could help it.
Good looking chap too. Amazing transformation.

They're better looking than some women !!

Does anyone remember the programme about the " Ladyboys " in Thailand ? They were gorgeous too----their looks were wasted as a man.

Well that will be contary to what they get taught in school: that that person is as much of a "real" woman as anyone else, and refering to their maleness is transphobic.

You were right to tell the truth though

NanKate….for my money you were spot on.
Don't relax too soon though, children have a way of coming back to a topic with a well crafted 'Why'?!!!
That's a little more complicated isn't it?

I think there’s some muddled thinking on here re tsnsgenderism and cross dressing/ transvestitism. DLR was the latter, the ladyboys are much more complicated and much wider than that. Transphobia only refers to negative attitudes towards transgender people and does not encompass cross dressing.

Well done you. I think straightforward explanations tailored to the child's age/maturity are always the way to go.

Made me think of the David Walliams character on tv Nan
‘But I’m a laydee’
I expect the boys think he just likes dressing up clothes, as all children do.

We had a similar person in a very small village that I used to live in, he was accepted by us all and a pleasant man to chat to.He just liked dressing as a woman ( and had a female partner.)

I am privileged to know several people whom one would describe as gender diverse, including cross dressers and transgender.

Without exception they are kind and generous people, endlessly forgiving of those who attack them (verbally and physically) and much beloved by the children of all those who attend our theatre group.

the Ladyboys came to Brighton every year but I think that last year was the last time. they are beautiful and could certainly be taken for females.

The David Walliams book/film “The boy in the dress” tackles the issue of cross dressing quite well I think .

Children are so accepting of simple fact and truth. They don't usually think of consequential supplementaries and I've had occasion to be glad of that.

I used to live opposite a pub frequented by cross-dressers/transgenger men. I was sitting outside in the sun one day, enjoying a pint, when one of them, rather young approached and asked if I could give him make-up lessons. I had to admit that I was probably the only female in a 5 mile radius who never wore it and had less idea than he did!

My nearly 8 yr old GS told me his mummy's friend was born a boy but was a girl inside. She chose to be a girl he told me & she's lovely. Out of the mouths of babes.

My DD’s best friends are a lesbian couple . When my DGD was very small she once asked them
“ are you both mummy’s? “ and then turning to one of them asked “why do you look like a daddy mummy?” good job we had known them for a very long time .

I was washing my hands in a hotel toilet recently when out popped a shapely person beautifully groomed sporting a beard. My reaction delighted me as I believe I registered no surprise whatsoever. We simply exchanged hello and that was it. My brain was full of wonderment though. I'm pretty naive and inexperienced in this arena.

About 40 years ago I was working in Japan and was lucky enough to be invited to my Japanese boss's house for dinner which in itself was unusual in those days.
Amongst the guests was a transgender man who all the girls adored and fluttered and fussed over with great affection. I was told 'In his body he is a man but in his heart he is a woman'. This was the first transgender person I had ever met and was I will always remember this kind and respectful introduction.

Gillybob I am sure she knew she had a masculine style and may have even been quite flattered.

So good to read such excellent responses on this matter. One of my g.children (early teens) is transgender -find most other children and young people accept him without question. It is so-called adults who can make life miserable. younger children are usually quite accepting of other people, whether it is to do with some form of physical or mental differences or such things as gender. We could learn so much from them.

I think you’re right ReadyMeals . She once called into my workplace to drop something in for me when I was out and the young apprentice said “ oh Gillybob, a young lad dropped this in for you”
I questioned what this “young lad” was like and he said “ oh I dunno about 14 wearing shorts”
My DD’s 36 year old friend was VERY flattered indeed .

She’s lucky to have amazing skin .

I keep thinking of that sketch from Little Britain! David Walliams and the other chap dressed up as “ladies” with their frilly dresses and parasols! Think they might have been in Brighton!

It’s a funny old world. We accept lesbian and gay’s but a man dressed as a women, no.?! My husband of twenty years crossdresses, but only does when indoors and when we go to Brighton. Where incidentally no one bats an eyelid. We have a normal heterosexual relationship, he just feels comfortable wearing women’s clothes, which satisfies his feminine side, which I believe all men deep down have.Why is cross dressing not acceptable as being gay