Parents reveal BOTH of their children are transgender after they decided to transition aged five and seven - and insist they're happier than ever
- Ben and Sara Kaplan, from Berkeley, California, spoke about their children
- James, 11, who was born a biological girl, transitioned at the age of eight
- Olivia, seven, born a biological boy, realized she was a girl at age four
- She then began transitioning when she was five
By
Jessica Rach For Mailonline
Published: 06:16 EDT, 29 July 2019 | Updated: 05:19 EDT, 30 July 2019
The parents of two transgender children have told how they supported their kids unconditionally, after both revealed that they wanted to transition at an early age.
Ben and Sara Kaplan, from Berkeley,
California, welcomed a biological daughter and then a biological son, to their family.
But at the age of eight, James Kaplan, now 11, who was born a biological girl, realized he had to transition from female to male.
And just a few years later a then-four-year-old Olivia Kaplan, now seven, who was born a biological boy, realized she wanted to transition from male to female. Their names at birth have not been revealed.
The family are now sharing their story in the hopes of breaking the taboo around trans children, after statistics revealed an alarming number of suicide among young transgender people whose families are not supportive.
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Ben and Sara Kaplan, from Berkeley, California, have told how they supported James, now 11, second from right, and Olivia, now seven, second left, through their transition
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The parents welcomed a biological daughter and then a biological son, to their family. James, left, and Olivia, right, are pictured with their mother Sara before they transitioned
Sara told Barcroft TV: 'The reaction when people hear that we have two trans kids is shock and awe.
'A lot of people think that it must be a copycat situation where the younger one is just mimicking the older one.'
James was eight years old when he told his parents he wanted to transition from female to male – he was in second grade.
Olivia was four when she said she was transgender – but didn't begin socially transitioning and using female pronouns until she was five years old and entering kindergarten.
In reference to Olivia's transition, Sara said: 'It was less shocking because we had just had a child transition – we had educated ourselves about gender.
'We were far more experienced in how to move through the transition as parents,' added Ben.
When James was eight, he began socially transitioning. He had a haircut, shopped for boy's clothes and asked his peers to use male pronouns.
Last year, he changed his name to James legally.
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Olivia, now seven, was biologically born a boy but she realized at age four, pictured, that she wanted to transition from male to female
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Olivia, now seven, is seen after she transitioned with the support of her parents and brother
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James (left) and Olivia (right) are pictured before they transitioned
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James (left) and Olivia (right) are pictured after they began their transitions
'I have always been a boy,' James said. 'Before I transitioned, I had a piece missing and it didn't feel right.
'I was nervous to tell my parents, but when I did, they said they accepted me. I was happy because I know a lot of trans kids don't have that, and that's sad.'
Olivia added: 'Being trans means you were born in the gender that you don't feel in your heart – anyone can be whoever they want to be, and it doesn't matter what your opinion is.'
When Olivia told James about her transition, he was very proud of how brave she had been.
However, like with most siblings, he admits there was the usual competitiveness.
'I reacted to Olivia transitioning like most older siblings would – even though I'm trans,' James explained. 'I was a little confused at first and got a little defensive because I thought it was my thing.
'But after like a day of that, I saw that Olivia is a girl and she always will be.'
For Olivia, having her big brother understand was key: 'He was my first supporter and it made me feel very confident that I would have many more.'
A month ago, James started hormone blockers – an implant which prevents him beginning puberty, notably his menstruation cycle and breast development, which would be distressing.
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The family, seen before the kids transitioned, are now sharing their story with the hope of breaking the taboo around trans children