The mother of an 11-year-old drag queen has spoken out about criticism she faced when she first let her young son dress in women's clothing and wear makeup.
Lauren Noakes and her son Leo appeared on UK reality show Loose Women this week, where Leo revealed his alter ego Violet Vixen to the cheering audience.
Leo told the show's hosts that he was inspired by hit TV show RuPaul's Drag Race, in which 14 drag queens compete for the title of America's Next Drag Superstar and US$100,000.
"Just because I've got a penis doesn't mean I can't wear a dress," Leo said.
"It just gives you more confidence; you just feel more like yourself."
However, Lauren confessed that when Leo was younger she tried to get him interested in "something a bit more boyish", and voiced her fears that a lack of father-figure in Leo's life might have been a factor in his interest in makeup.
In an essay she wrote for the Mirror, Lauren says she noticed a "gradual change" in Leo's behaviour, starting when he was eight-years-old.
"I'd find him jumping and doing the splits, something I put down to the dance classes he'd been to," she wrote.
"In conversation, he'd throw his arms around, practically 'vogueing'! And I noticed a subtle cheekiness or 'sass' in the way he spoke to me."
Leo started experimenting with makeup and wearing dresses to school, ignoring any teasing he received along the way.
When he was aged nine, he launched his Instagram, 'violetvixen official', where he describes himself as "the best drag kid unicorn". The account has almost 4000 followers.
Lauren says she received a lot of questioning from friends and family over why Leo was wearing 'girl's clothes', to which she firmly replied "because he wants to".
While Lauren and Leo have discussed transitioning in the past, Leo says it's not want he wants.
"From my ignorance I assumed that was what he wanted, but he really clearly says 'I'm a boy and I like being a boy'," Lauren says.
"When I think back on the journey Leo and I've been on, I can hardly believe it. I'm so proud to have a son who breaks the mould."
Newshub.
