6 Kids who schooled the world on gender stereotypes
These tiny, outspoken humans have got a thing or two to say about the gender binary and they’re not afraid to give the world a piece of their minds.
From toy marketing to clothing brands, these pint-sized heroes are taking down gender stereotypes and challenging huge brands one Youtube rant at a time.
1. Down with pink
Tiny campaigner Riley was only four when she made headlines across the world with her attack on the companies that ‘try to trick girls into liking the pink stuff.’
The rant made it onto the news and even bagged the superhero-loving kid an interview with TV legend Diane Sawyer.
Riley on Marketing
Uploaded by dbarry1917 on 2011-05-06.
2. Gifts for boys
If looks could kill, Maggie Cole might have annihilated everyone in the Tesco in Dorset, Poole where she found a ‘Fun gifts for boys’ sign next to a superhero alarm clock.
The superhero-loving kid was insulted by the suggestion that only boys could enjoy the Marvel alarm clock, and her death stare caused Tesco to withdraw the signs from their store.
3. Speaking Out
When conservative Christian family the Whittingdons gave birth to their daughter Ryland, they decorated a pink nursery and spent their money on pretty dresses for their new arrival.
A couple of years later, Ryland would begin speaking and tell her family unequivocally that she was a boy. After Googling ‘transgender’, Ryland’s mother was horrified by the suicide stats and chose to raise Ryland as a boy, in line with his wishes.
Ryland has since gone on to be a role model for trans kids everywhere and made a powerful speech at the Harvey Milk Foundation’s annual diversity breakfast event, one he refused to let anyone edit or assist him with.
He told the audience:
“My name is Ryland Michael Whittington. I’m a transgender kid. I am six. I am a cool kid. And I am the happiest I have ever been in my whole life.”
The Whittington Family: Ryland’s Story
Our new book, RAISING RYLAND, is on sale February 23, 2016. See more here: https://goo.gl/GxF8oC Visit us on Facebook: Facebook.com/RaisingRylandBook
4. Sexist kids’ clothes
Daisy Edmonds was only eight years old when she took on supermarket giant Tesco for their ‘sexist’ children’s clothes.
Outraged that the boys’ clothing range had T-shirts that said ‘Hero’ and ‘Adventure awaits’ while the girls’ line was reduced to vapid statements like ‘Hey!’ and ‘Beautiful’, Daisy gave an impassioned speech in a video later posted on Youtube by her mother.
“It’s unfair because everyone thinks girls should just be pretty and boys should just be adventurous,” said Daisy in the clip, which has been viewed over 62,000 times on Youtube alone. “I think that’s wrong because why should boys and girls clothes even be separate because we’re just as good as each other.”
You tell them Daisy. Full clip below.
Eight-Year-Old Girl Calls Tesco Out Over ‘Sexist’ Kids Clothes
This is the moment an eight-year-old girl burst into an impassioned rant – after spotting ‘sexist’ children’s clothes on sale at her local Tesco. In a video filmed by her mum, Daisy Edmonds blasts the supermarket giant for having contrasting slogans on their t-shirts for boys and girls.
5. “Just for Girls”
Amid the political battle over the HB 2 bathroom bill in North Carolina, one mother suggested she would be fearful to take her gender non-conforming son to clothing store Justice because the brand claimed it was ‘just for girls’.
Although Martie Todd Sirois feared her son would be denied entry to the female dressing room and possibly discriminated against, the store staff couldn’t have been more accommodating.
Justice went out of their way to help the young boy pick out some awesome ‘just for girls’ ensembles and his mother claims: “My son dropped his frequent doom and gloom look and suddenly sprang to life in these clothes. There was no denying he became a different, more confident, and happier child when wearing pretty things.”
6. The Youtube Star
Jazz Jennings is a trans teen celebrity who has helped educate millions of people, young and old, on gender issues.
Now the star of her own TV show and a Youtube sensation, Jazz was only six when she was interviewed by Barbara Walters for a special 20/20 on transgender children. She has gone on to be a public spokesperson and teenage transgender star.
7yr. old girl Jazz ~ thoughts on being a Transgender Child
For More on Jazz Go to: https://www.transkidspurplerainbow.org Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation…please help us, and donate $5 today! There needs to be more research, education and studies about Transgender children. Thanks.
Have we missed any wonderful, outspoken kid campaigners from the list? Let us know in the comments section.
