A father has described why he is refusing to assign his children a gender and has explained that some members of his family didn't take too kindly to the news.
Christian, a 30-year-old father of three from Connecticut, had known from a very young age that he wasn't female - the gender he was assigned at birth.
Despite it being a difficult time, Christian came out as transgender in his early 20s and began taking testosterone in 2018.
Speaking to News.com.au, the 30-year-old said: "The first time I came out I was six years old. I told my best friend at the time, ‘I was supposed to be born a boy but something went wrong when I was in my mum’s tummy’."
Christian continued: "I didn’t know the word transgender yet. I called myself a tomboy and at recess when we played boys versus girls, I always asked to be included with the boys.
"It was not a light decision for me to medically transition. I worried a lot about the difficulties I’d face and what others in my life would think, especially those I was not out to yet.
"I knew this would not be an easy path, but I was depressed due to my gender dysphoria and couldn’t live life not being my true self anymore."
Christian knew firsthand the trials of growing up with the pressure of having to conform to gender norms and he didn't want to put his children through the same pain.
The 30-year-old is now the father of seven-year-old Liam, five-year-old Laura, and two-year-old Teddy and is referring to them by they/them pronouns until they are old enough to decide how they identify.
Christian encourages his children to play with toys that are often seen as intended for boys or girls, as well as dressing them in gender-neutral clothing.
"Your sex and your gender identity are two different things," Christian said. "It seemed wrong to say my child is a boy or a girl based on their genitalia. That’s not what makes you a boy or a girl.
"Gender is much more about how you feel inside yourself. I use they/them pronouns and a gender-neutral nickname for my baby."
The father of three explained that research into genders has revealed that children by the age of two become gender aware and that his children identified their gender around the ages of three or four.
Christian's good intentions have been met with backlash from those closest to him. He explained: "Most of the mean comments have actually come from transphobic family members.
"In public with strangers, I let them assume whatever gender they think my child is and I don’t correct them. Strangers don’t need to know what is in my child’s pants and I don’t have time to educate them on the matter. If I’m never going to see them again they can think what they want."
Concluding, Christian said: "They don’t have to feel dysphoria caused by being raised as the wrong gender. They have so much freedom and develop a great sense of self.
"They are secure in their own identity and don’t let any gender roles society put on them stop them from doing what they enjoy in life.
"They are very happy, healthy, and self-confident children who are growing up in a loving and supportive home."