The story of Willa, the transgender eight-year-old who stole the hearts of everyone, opened our eyes to the challenges that transgender children face in our society. Joanna Demarco traced Willa’s journey as she discovers herself.

A card from Bex to Willa.A card from Bex to Willa.

Willa in her uniform after school. Willa transitioned between Year 1 and 2, starting off Year 2 being allowed to be who she feels she truly is and wearing a girl’s uniform.Willa in her uniform after school. Willa transitioned between Year 1 and 2, starting off Year 2 being allowed to be who she feels she truly is and wearing a girl’s uniform.

Part of Willa’s speech for Transgender Europe’s campaign to depathologise gender diversity in childhood. Gender diversity in childhood is pathologised by the World Health Organisation. The words of the speech are Willa’s, written out here clearly by her mother.Part of Willa’s speech for Transgender Europe’s campaign to depathologise gender diversity in childhood. Gender diversity in childhood is pathologised by the World Health Organisation. The words of the speech are Willa’s, written out here clearly by her mother.

Willa’s pair of pink bunny slippers are significant. They were the first pair of girly shoes Willa started to wear at home when she was still living a double life. Having not yet transitioned out of home, her girl shoes could only be indoor shoes. After school she would come home, strip off the boy costume, put on these shoes and breathe. These slippers represent the beginning of a transition, a time of both struggle and hope.Willa’s pair of pink bunny slippers are significant. They were the first pair of girly shoes Willa started to wear at home when she was still living a double life. Having not yet transitioned out of home, her girl shoes could only be indoor shoes. After school she would come home, strip off the boy costume, put on these shoes and breathe. These slippers represent the beginning of a transition, a time of both struggle and hope.

Willa’s first pair of girly shoes once she was allowed to be a girl out of the house. Willa, Bex and James get emotional remembering the day when they received the news that Willa was allowed to be a girl at school and, therefore, fully a girl outside her home.Willa’s first pair of girly shoes once she was allowed to be a girl out of the house. Willa, Bex and James get emotional remembering the day when they received the news that Willa was allowed to be a girl at school and, therefore, fully a girl outside her home.

Decorations in Willa’s classroom. Willa’s headmaster explains: “Whenever I see her she seems content and always smiles at me. It feels like she has a good relationship with us.” The school is following the policies which were approved last year, which aim to promote safety, learning and inclusion on all levels.Decorations in Willa’s classroom. Willa’s headmaster explains: “Whenever I see her she seems content and always smiles at me. It feels like she has a good relationship with us.” The school is following the policies which were approved last year, which aim to promote safety, learning and inclusion on all levels.

Willa plays with a friend whom she meets at the park. Willa socialises with other children at the park near her house, where she meets many children from her school. Willa explains how the children in her class “accepted it, and always saw it, even if they didn’t really understand before”.Willa plays with a friend whom she meets at the park. Willa socialises with other children at the park near her house, where she meets many children from her school. Willa explains how the children in her class “accepted it, and always saw it, even if they didn’t really understand before”.

Willa puts on her hat as she leaves her house.Willa puts on her hat as she leaves her house.

Willa at the beach in summer. Bex explains how wearing a bikini is “one of those milestones for Willa and other trans-girls, not because they necessarily believe in a stereotype image of what it is to be a girl, but because those things mean they’ve done it, it’s happening around others and being seen by others just as any other girl, the girl they feel they’ve always been but they can now fit the mould of one”.Willa at the beach in summer. Bex explains how wearing a bikini is “one of those milestones for Willa and other trans-girls, not because they necessarily believe in a stereotype image of what it is to be a girl, but because those things mean they’ve done it, it’s happening around others and being seen by others just as any other girl, the girl they feel they’ve always been but they can now fit the mould of one”.

“Before Willa transitioned, I had to cut her hair myself, with James (Willa’s father), holding her down, because she’d always scream, as though someone was pouring hot oil on her.” – Bex, Willa’s mother.“Before Willa transitioned, I had to cut her hair myself, with James (Willa’s father), holding her down, because she’d always scream, as though someone was pouring hot oil on her.” – Bex, Willa’s mother.

Willa’s door to her bedroom is adorned with stickers of butterflies. Butterflies are symbolic to transgender individuals because of the transition butterflies must go through from caterpillars to become who they truly are.Willa’s door to her bedroom is adorned with stickers of butterflies. Butterflies are symbolic to transgender individuals because of the transition butterflies must go through from caterpillars to become who they truly are.

Bex and James and Willa talk to girl guides at a conference about diversity.Bex and James and Willa talk to girl guides at a conference about diversity.

Willa socialises with other children at the park near her house, where she meets many children from her school. Willa explains how the children in her class “accepted it and always saw it even if they didn’t really understand before, whereas, now they do”.Willa socialises with other children at the park near her house, where she meets many children from her school. Willa explains how the children in her class “accepted it and always saw it even if they didn’t really understand before, whereas, now they do”.

Willa stands tall on her father’s shoulders during her first Pride March post-transitioning. The bill, which was approved a few weeks earlier, was dedicated to Willa. “That day was the day I saw we could really help people,” he said, recalling the Pride March.Willa stands tall on her father’s shoulders during her first Pride March post-transitioning. The bill, which was approved a few weeks earlier, was dedicated to Willa. “That day was the day I saw we could really help people,” he said, recalling the Pride March.

Mother does Willa’s hair before going out.Mother does Willa’s hair before going out.

Willa doing her advocacy work on the Maltese programme Dak Li Jgħodd, hoping to help other children who may be going through a similar situation to her.Willa doing her advocacy work on the Maltese programme Dak Li Jgħodd, hoping to help other children who may be going through a similar situation to her.

Bex, James and Willa go for a stroll as a family. “If your parents can’t love you, you do ask yourself, who will? They need to be the first ones to show you love. Without that, there would be a hole formed in that person, that would never be filled and it would end up leaving them empty. You don’t have to have a transgender child to know that. Society is hard enough on them. Family support will keep transgender children alive.” – BexBex, James and Willa go for a stroll as a family. “If your parents can’t love you, you do ask yourself, who will? They need to be the first ones to show you love. Without that, there would be a hole formed in that person, that would never be filled and it would end up leaving them empty. You don’t have to have a transgender child to know that. Society is hard enough on them. Family support will keep transgender children alive.” – Bex

Willa and her mother Bex walk home. “Tell your child you love her, whatever the packaging. The child needs to see that. Showing love and support is the most important thing”.Willa and her mother Bex walk home. “Tell your child you love her, whatever the packaging. The child needs to see that. Showing love and support is the most important thing”.

Willa plays in her bedroom.Willa plays in her bedroom.

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