'We got it wrong': Mum throws belated gender reveal for teenage son

Heidi Krause

Photo: Sarah McBride Photography soured from Facebook / Love Gwaltney

A mum from Ohio in the US has thrown her teenage transgender son a belated gender reveal - and the beautiful photo shoot has gone viral.

Taking to Facebook to share their story, Love and Brendan Gwaltney admitted that they "got it wrong" the first time.

"We wanted to announce that we got it wrong 17 years ago when we told the world we were having a little girl, and named that child McKenzie, " wrote mum Love. "So, we'd like to introduce you to our SON: Grey."

Love went on to share more of the the journey her son Grey and the family have been on since his birth.

"Sometimes, we force these expected characteristics based off biological sex, and *gasp* we've gotten it wrong. Normally, it's just off, but other times, that child you labelled a girl, doesn't actually feel like a girl.

"Sometimes that child disassociates who they are with the body they possess, and it can come across as body dysphoria or self-esteem issues and that's as far as it goes (to your knowledge). Other times, that child grows up feeling like a completely different person, and if you're really lucky, they open up and tell you the truth, no matter how scary or daunting that could be."

Love and Brendan decided to throw the gender reveal for the son - which started much like any other. The couple were both wearing blue and pink, and there was a cake with a question mark and a large box filled with balloons.

However, instead of blue or pink balloons, the box was opened to reveal balloons that were yellow, white, purple and black, followed by Grey himself.

"The colours of the balloons we chose for Grey match the Non-binary pride flag, and the cake layers are those that represent Transgender bodies," Love said.

Speaking to CNN, Grey said he helped organise the party and while he only came out to his stepdad and mum a couple of months ago, it's been a long journey for him to discover his new identity as nonbinary.

"I wanted the transgender flag in there because I still feel that going from whatever you are originally to nonbinary is also a transition and it doesn't just have to be straight female to male," Grey Schoolcraft told CNN.

"You've been going by one name all your life and to suddenly go by a new name, especially when your parents call you by it, it's weird and has to register in your brain. But it's definitely 100% worth it and I'm glad we had (the reveal party)."

As Love wrote in the post which has now garnered over 14,000 comments and 52,000 shares: "This was not a sudden decision, and there were months/years that built up to where we are now (binder use, haircuts, clothing changes, etc. Etc.),"

Photo: Sarah McBride Photography from Facebook / Love Gwaltney

Love admits that her Facebook post, featuring photos by Sarah McBride, was initially meant only to share Grey's transition with his friends and family. The post has has received an outpouring of positive comments, particularly from the transgender community.

"Winning at parenting! How amazing! All I see is love and happiness! ❤️", said one commenter.

"I see all the messages I am getting from the trans community, and am trying my hardest to respond to them," Love wrote in an update.

"Just know your stories touch my heart, and that I am responding as quickly as my overly emotional, pregnant, mama bear self will let me. I hate that so many of you in the trans community were not given the love and acceptance you all deserve. I see you. I hear you. I am your new mum now!"