A Mother Thanks Tween Fashion Store for Helping Her Son Try On ‘Feminine’ Clothing

Martie Sirois is the mother of a 10-year-old boy who does not conform to gender norms.

He had always been interested in shopping for the feminine clothes at Justice, a store for tween girls that sells clothes in all shades of pink and orange, in every texture from feathers to sequins.

"My son doesn't identify as a girl, at least he hasn't for as long as he has been able to communicate, although he has always acted like a stereotypical girl, played exclusively with stereotypical girls toys, and has almost exclusively female friends," she said in the open letter she shared on Facebook.

She says that he may one day go on to become LGBTQ+ or not, and that their family is "open to whatever, as long as he's happy, true to himself, and not hurting anyone."

Sirois and her son live in Raleigh, North Carolina. After years of shopping for her unhappy son in the boys' section, and then weeks of research after the anti-trans House Bill 2 was passed, Sirois was finally ready to take her son shopping at Justice. Despite the transphobic legislature, they easily found allies in the staff at their local Justice store.

Stephnie, the store manager on duty, was happy to help for long after her shift at Justice ended. She spent the evening helping Sirois's son pick out sequined skirts, tops, and slim jeggings.

The mother was so grateful for Stephnie's judgment-free expertise that she took to Facebook to share the story and included some truly adorable pictures of her son in his brand-new clothes.

Read Martie Sirois's Facebook letter below.