Well, my little dragon v. bee dilemma got nothin’ on this adorable, brave, and wonderfully-supported-by-his-mama five-year-old little boy from Kansas City who decided he wanted to be Daphne from Scooby Doo for Halloween. Heartfelt kudos to that mama, who defended his — and her — choice at her blog, Nerdy Apple Bottom, and on CNN. The photo she took of her soon went viral, generating at least a million hits and more than 26,000 comments. Tara Parker-Pope wrote about it all yesterday in the NYTimes (“When Boys Dress Like Girls”).
Some spot-on, fierce words from the boy’s mama, to the moms who gave her — and him — trouble:
If you think that me allowing my son to be a female character for Halloween is somehow going to ‘make’ him gay then you are an idiot. Firstly, what a ridiculous concept. Secondly, if my son is gay, O.K., I will love him no less. Thirdly, I am not worried that your son will grow up to be an actual ninja so back off.
Back off indeed.
Comments
Gretchen Seefried — November 20, 2010
I am so happy that you brought up your Halloween experience and shared this one. I started dealing with the judgment of my oldest son around 18 years ago (he is now 20), and have learned a lot about speaking up for my younger son (11) as he's faced the same idiotic ignorance.
It is clearly up to us to educate people and empower our kids by speaking up. Kudos to you and "Daphne's" mom!