An Ohio mother has thrown a gender reveal party for her 17-year-old teen, Grey Schoolcraft.
“We wanted to announce that we got it wrong 17 years ago when we told the world we were having a little girl,” Love Gwaltney wrote in a Facebook post last week (shared with Schoolcraft's permission).
“So, we’d like to introduce you to our SON: Grey," she continued. "He’s much like any other 17-year-old nerdy boy, stays up way [too] late gaming, hates showering, and eats too much junk food. We will be referring to Grey with he/him pronouns from here on out, but he told us to tell you that he also doesn’t mind if you use they/them.”
The mother added: "No, we're not buying him a lifted truck. Yes, we will be buying him some new clothes."
According to CNN, the Gwaltneys decided to hold the event in celebration of their son coming out as trans non-binary, subverting the generic baby 'gender reveal' with a giant box releasing balloons that weren't pink or blue, but yellow, white, purple, and black - the colours featured on the non-binary flag.
In an Instagram post, Grey shared a photo with a slice of 'gender reveal cake', which was decorated in pink, blue, and white, the colors of the trans Pride flag.
“I wanted the transgender flag in there because I still feel that going from whatever you are originally to non-binary is also a transition, and it doesn’t just have to be straight female to male,” Grey said of the cake.
He also took an opportunity to come out to his followers.
"Hi. I go by Grey and have been doing such for the past couple of months, longer than that I've going by they/them or he/him pronouns and it's something that I've struggled to fight against others about," he wrote.
"But I think it's about time that I be honest with myself. Hi, I'm Grey- if you have any questions feel free to ask."
Comments on the original Facebook post, which has since gone viral with over 52,000 shares, have been overwhelmingly supportive.
Grey with his parents. Photos by Sarah McBride. Source: Facebook, Sarah McBride
"These photos moved me to tears!" one social media user wrote. "What a wonderful family and what a strong and resilient son you’ve raised."
Another commented: "I don't know you and I didn't know your story when I looked at the pictures. What I saw was a beautiful display of love in a family. All the best wishes to each of you!"
