letter to the editor

A mother teaches her third-gender child about God’s gifts

Tue, 05/16/2017 - 8:00am

Dear Editor:

Around the world many cultures celebrate Mother’s Day. Even when Mom is no longer with us we remember her. Every mother is excited when she is expecting the next generation, but in some countries and in some minds there is never the expectation or knowledge about third gender/intersex birth. Sometimes these births have been known to be dangerous for the child as they are often killed by hospital staff when they arrive. As a result, many mothers began giving births in their homes.

Throughout the world one in 2,000 births is a third-gender/intersex child. These children are not only loved by their mothers, but the mothers must take extreme caution in raising their child who is subject to bullying and ridicule by those without knowledge these are human beings whose physical gender is unknown until later in life when puberty begins. The mother in this story had no family history preparing her for the birth. She relied on her religious faith and her natural love for her son.

Mom has to choose a gender, but does not know if the choice is right or wrong. In Kenya and other countries a birth certificate is not provided without a standard male-female gender. Surgical intervention is offered, but it carries risk and can be wrong so mom protects and loves her gift from God making sure the child sees themselves in a loving light.

Because so much is denied to a child without a birth certificate, Kenya is looking into making room for use of a third gender in the birth law and the loved and protected son is among those who are advocating for its consideration. He also advocates for intersex children who were not protected as human beings. Not every mother is able to guard exposure of her son until gender is revealed.

The power of a loving mom is great. Moms have been known to stop wars and to protect many children. I am grateful for all of the moms who accept children of different cultures and raises them with love, strength, and wisdom.

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb