Mum-of-two: “I put my girl on hormones at 10 to become a boy”
Rachel Windsor’s daughter was just nine years old when she decided she wanted to be a boy – now she’s happier than ever after transitioning
rowing up, Rachel G Windsor’s daughter Kiah was adamant she’d been born in the wrong body.
She hated wearing dresses and wanted her hair cut short. Kiah became so unhappy that Rachel, 39, made the controversial decision to let her transition aged nine.
She now lives as a boy called Kai and has been taking hormone blockers to stop puberty.
DISTRESSED
Rachel – who runs a health business and lives in Brighton with Kai, now 11 – explains: “Some people might say Kai was too young to transition, but his desire to live as a boy was so strong I didn’t feel there was any other option.
“Kiah cut her hair short herself when she was five and hated wearing dresses.
“Living life as a girl would have been horrific for Kai – now he’s so much happier.
“The hormone blockers stop him having periods and developing breasts further, which he’d have found traumatic. If he decides to undergo gender reassignment surgery when he’s older then I’ll support him.”
Single mum Rachel – who has another daughter Jasmine, 17, and is not in touch with Kiah’s dad – first noticed Kiah was unhappy aged five.
She says: “Kiah wanted to wear trousers and play with boys’ toys.
“I’d been a tomboy when I was younger, so I thought it was just a phase. But as time went on, Kiah’s desire to be a boy grew stronger.
“Kiah’s mannerisms were very masculine – walking, talking and even sitting like a boy. Luckily, there wasn’t any bullying at school, but Kiah had tantrums about wearing girls’ clothes. It hurt to see her so distressed.” Things came to a head when Kiah turned nine and told her mum she wanted to live as a boy called Kai.
Rachel says: “I hugged her and burst into tears. It was a relief she’d finally told me about her feelings.
“I spoke to Kiah’s school and they were really supportive. They organised workshops so the other children would understand; they were so accepting.
“Jasmine, then 13, took the news really well and gave Kiah a big hug when I told her.”
But as puberty approached, Kai grew increasingly distressed.
Rachel says: “He started developing breasts and had periods too, which he found distressing. I hated seeing Kai so upset so I got in touch with the Tavistock Centre, which is a gender identity disorder clinic that treats young children.
TRANSITION
“After nine months of appointments to check he was ready, Kai had hormone blocking injections to stop puberty. It might seem like an extreme step, but the hormone blockers are reversible, so if he changes his mind in the future he can come off them and his body will go back to normal.
“Within six weeks, his periods had ceased and his breasts stopped growing – Kai was so much happier.”
He is now in secondary school and enjoying life after his transition.
Rachel says: “He’s got lots of friends and is doing well at school. Kai wants to have male hormone treatment at 16 and his breasts removed at 18, which I’m saving up for as I know it’ll make him happy – and it’s his choice after all.
“I don’t feel sad about letting go of my little girl, because I know how much happier Kai is now. Sometimes I worry about his future, but I know he’s meant to be living as a boy and I’ll do everything I can to support him.”