The Internet has fallen in love with a transgender woman who had the perfect response to a child's question about her gender identity.
While working at her restaurant in Minneapolis, waitress Liv Hnilicka experienced something that can be a common experience for trans or gender-nonconforming individuals -- a child wanted to know whether Hnilicka was a boy or a girl.
According to a post on Hnilicka's Facebook, the girl's father asked the waitress if she wanted to answer his child's question, as he "didn't want to speak for [Hnilicka]" -- the perfect response a father could have in this situation.
Her answer to the child's question -- and the child's subsequent response -- are heartwarming, the say the least:
"I heard you asked if I was a boy or girl. I think the important thing to remember is that everyone can be anything they want to be in this world. And it's also important to try to be the best selves we can be for our family and friends. And even to strangers. So to answer your question, I was told that I was a boy when I was little and now I live my adult life as a girl. It sounds complicated but it's actually pretty simple. Do you have any questions for me?"
While it may seem like a simple answer and ignore some of the nuances of the spectrum of trans experience, its simplicity exhibits an amazing way to talk about being transgender to a child.
She explained on Facebook:
Bravo, Liv! We could all learn a thing or two from you.
Hnilicka wanted to include that if readers feel inspired by her story, you can support transgender individuals by donating to Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Transformative Justice Law Program, Minnesota Trans Health Coalition or Broadway Youth Center at Howard Brown.
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