24 Hudson Valley Parent
n
July 2019
forging her identity. "The best thing
parents can do to support their child is to
provide a supportive family environment,
have open and honest communication
with their child, talk to extended family
and friends about the importance of
supporting their child and use their
preferred name and pronouns."
Typically, it's the kids who
approach the parent and come out
to them, Brenner says. "Many youths
would love to hear a parent leave
gender assignment open for them...
Our children need parents to come
from a position of support and open
mindedness."
Olivia L. Lawrence is an editor with
a news organization. She's currently
looking forward to kayak season and
getting out on the water.
"Using they/them
for a baby is
frankly pretty
ridiculous, in
my opinion. I
say 'ridiculous'
because, well, first of all
a baby won't care one
way or the other.
Secondly, choosing they/
them for your baby is
still choosing for them,
and that's what you're
trying to avoid."
KAITLYN O'CONNOR
Poughkeepsie
THEYBIE
(Continued from Page 23)
We polled
our audience.
Here's what they
had to say about
the "theybie"
debate:
Is it possible to raise a
child without assigning gen-
der at birth?
17% said yes
83% said no
Only 11% of the parents
polled had heard of using
the term "theybie" to de-
scribe a newborn.
