I have a son who’s been struggling with his gender identity. He claims that “he’s always known” that he is a girl. The rest of us are more than skeptical. My son is an awkward kid — albeit bright, compassionate, and sensitive. He’s also always been a boy – he was unambiguously born that way. As far as stereotypical behaviors go, he fits the profile of a boy as well <…> there were no signs of gender dysphoria at all.

He’s also never seemed confused about his sexuality. He’s been chasing girls since puberty, sending them texts, surprising them at their lockers with flowers and a Homecoming invite. He’s always been open about wanting a girlfriend and he always shared his crushes with me and his dad. Sadly, his crushes have been unrequited, and he’s been consistently relegated to friendzone status, even though all of his girl friends just “adore” him.

So, what’s a passionate, sweet, awkward boy to do? Try whatever it takes to get out of the friendzone and to get those girl friends’ attention! It started with one text to one of his closest girl friends; “I think I might have gender dysphoria”. At first, she ignored him - no reaction. So, he upped the ante, following up with a request to take him shopping for some dresses. Bingo! He had her attention. Teen girls just love a project! She applauded his choice and convinced him that he really was a girl.

<…>

Now we, his family, are left to help sort out this discarded young man’s distress. <…> And, now, having tasted the poison, my son wants more. Furthering the abusive pattern, he jumped back in, this time with a new cheerleader. Still in search of what started all of this…the attention of a girl.

Meanwhile, my son clings to this new approach, believing that being a girl is the only way to relate to the girls he’d love to attract. <…> Leading him to believe he’s something he can never become, and making him believe that a dress and a bra transitions him to become a female.