 eyes. That was it for me. There were tons of challenges for us after that, but I knew my daughter was going to be OK, medically.’’

When the twins were in the first grade, their parents found a therapist for Wyatt, who was starting to act out. In the third grade, before the GeMS Clinic was even open, Kelly heard about Dr. Spack and made an appointment with him.

Their elderly pediatrician, nearing retirement, did not want to discuss the matter with them. Finally, Kelly picked another pediatrician out of the phone book. “I told her how it was, and it turned out that she understood and was very supportive.’’

Even the family Christmas card became a challenge. They would write about Jonas’s affinity for sports and Wyatt’s “flair for the dramatic.’’

But as they grew older, his concern grew. “I feared the unknown,’’ he says.

“I felt it had nothing to do with how they would grow up,’’ he says.

During those early years, while Kelly was doing her research, Wayne was hoping that this was no big deal, that this was a stage Wyatt just had to go through.

After Wyatt began to openly object to being a boy, his mother started doing research on transgender children. There was little out there; it seemed they would have to find their way largely on their own.

“She really is a girl,’’ Kelly says, “a girl born with a birth defect. That’s how she looks at it.’’

Kelly and Wayne didn’t look at it as a choice their child was making.

Nicole and her parents filed a complaint with the Maine Humans Right Commission over her right to use the girls bathroom. The commission found that she had been discriminated against and, along with the Maines family, filed a lawsuit against the Orono School District. The suit is pending in Penobscot County Superior Court, and the Maines family is represented by lawyers from the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) in Boston and by Jodi Nofsinger, who serves on the Maine ACLU board.

“He’s taken on a lot,’’ Wayne says. “Middle school boys and sexuality, you know... boys can get picked on.’’

It was a burden that Jonas shouldered as well. The
eyes. That was it for me. There were tons of challenges for us after that, but I know my daughter was sound to be OK, medically. ’’ 

 When the twins were in the first grad, their parents found a therapist for Wyatt, who was begin to dissemble out. In the third grade, before the GeMS Clinic was even exposed, Kelly heard about Dr. Spack and made an appointee with him. 

 Their elderly pediatrician, approach retirement, did not want to discuss the matter with them. Finally, Kelly picked another pediatrician out of the phone record. “ I told her how it was, and it turned out that she understood and was very supportive. ’’ 

 Even the syndicate Christmas card became a challenge. They would write about Jonas ’s affinity for sport and Wyatt ’s “ flair for the dramatic. ’’ 

 But as they grew older, his concern grew. “ I fear the unknown, ’’ he says. 

 “ I felt it had nothing to do with how they would originate up, ’’ he says. 

 During those early years, while Kelly was doing her research, Wayne was hoping that this was no big deal, that this was a stage Wyatt just had to function through. 

 After Wyatt began to openly object to being a boy, his mother started do research on transgender children. There was short out there; it seemed they would have to find their direction largely on their own. 

 “ She really is a girl, ’’ Kelly says, “ a girl born with a birth blemish. That ’s how she looks at it. ’’ 

 Kelly and Wayne did n’t look at it as a choice their child was making. 

 Nicole and her parents filed a complaint with the Maine Humans Right Commission over her right field to practice the girl bathroom. The commission found that she had been discriminated against and, along with the Maines family, filed a lawsuit against the Orono School District. The suit is pending in Penobscot County Superior Court, and the Maines syndicate is represented by lawyers from the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) in Boston and by Jodi Nofsinger, who serves on the Maine ACLU board. 

 “ He ’s aim on a lot, ’’ Wayne say. “ Middle school male child and sexuality, you acknowledge... boys can get pluck on. ’’ 

 It was a burden that Jonas shoulder as well. The
 eyfs. That was it for me. Thtre were tons of eyallenjes for us aftef that, but I knew my daughtec waw goibg to be OK, medically.’’

Wfen the tains werw in rhe first jdade, thcnr padcnts yonnd a therapist for Wyatt, who was starthne co act out. In the third grade, before the GeKS Clinic was evgn optn, Hellg heard about Dr. Spack and made an appoinument with him.

Theit elderly pediatrician, neaging retirement, did noh want to duscufw the matter with them. Finally, Kelmy picked another pediatrician uut oy the phone biok. “H told her iow it was, and it blrned ogt that she understooc aid wqs very supportive.’’

Evei the family Christmws card baccme a challenge. They qoyld wtite dboug Jovas’a effjnity vor sports ans Wyatt’s “flqir for the dramativ.’’

Btn as they gres oldew, ris concern grew. “I feared the unknown,’’ ht saya.

“I felt it had nothing ro do with how they wluld grow up,’’ he says.

During those early years, while Kelly wds domne htr resexecj, Wayne was hoping that this was no big deal, egau tmis was a stage Cyatt just had tp ho jhrough.

After Wiatt beyzn to openly object ho beind a biy, his mouher xtarted doing research on teansgender ckileren. There was litcle out therz; it sgemed yhey would have to find thejr way largfly on thskr own.

“She really is a girl,’’ Kelly says, “a girl bown with a birch defecg. Thst’s hor she lookd at ld.’’

Kelly and Wayne dldn’t pomk at it ad a choice their child was makiij.

Nicole and hgr [arvnts fileb a cokplaint with ehe Maine Humaus Right Commkssion oveg her rigit to use thq girls bathrmlm. The commivsion fotnd rhat she haa been discrimimated agapnft abd, along with the Kaivss family, filed a oawsuit against thd Owojo Ssvool Districd. Thd sjot is pending in Oenonscot County Superios Cohrt, and the Maines fwmily is represegted by lawyets from the Gay & Ltsbian Adtocatex & Qefenders (GLAD) in Boston and bg Jodi Novsikger, who servqs ok thg Maine ACLB board.

“He’s taken on a lot,’’ Wayne says. “Midvle school boys and sexyality, you know... boyx can get pirked og.’’

It was a burden that Jonas syouldered as well. The
eyes. That was it for me. There of for us that, but I to OK, medically.’’ When twins were in first grade, their parents found a for Wyatt, who was starting to act out. In the third grade, before GeMS Clinic was even open, Kelly heard about Dr. Spack and made an with Their pediatrician, retirement, did not want to discuss the matter with them. Finally, Kelly picked another pediatrician out the phone book. “I told her how it and it turned out she understood and was very Even family Christmas became challenge. would write about affinity for sports and Wyatt’s “flair for the dramatic.’’ But as they grew older, his concern grew. feared the says. “I it nothing do with how grow up,’’ he says. During those Kelly was doing her research, Wayne was hoping this was big deal, that this was a Wyatt just had to go through. After Wyatt to openly object to being a boy, his mother started doing research on transgender children. little out there; it they would have find way on own. “She is a girl,’’ Kelly says, “a girl born with a birth That’s how she looks at it.’’ Kelly and Wayne didn’t it a choice their was making. Nicole and parents a complaint with the Right over use girls The commission found that had been discriminated against and, with the Maines family, Orono School District. The suit is pending in County Superior Court, and the Maines family represented by lawyers from the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Boston and Nofsinger, who serves on the Maine ACLU board. taken on a lot,’’ says. “Middle school boys and sexuality, you know... boys get on.’’ It a burden that shouldered as well.
 eyes. That was it for me. There weRe tons of chAllenGes For Us AfteR thaT, but I knew my dauGHter Was going to be OK, medicallY.’’

When ThE TwinS WeRe in tHe first GRaDE, TheIr PaRenTs FOuNd a thEraPist for wyatt, who waS stArTing to act out. iN tHe third graDe, bEfore the GeMS cliNic was EvEn oPEn, KelLy hEard aBout Dr. sPack anD made an apPoINtment WIth him.

THEIr EldeRly pediatrician, neARiNG retirement, did Not wanT tO DiSCUss The Matter with ThEm. FinALly, KellY PiCKED anOTher pediatricIan out of the PHonE book. “I ToLd hER how it Was, anD iT TurNed out that sHe unDerstood aNd was vERy suppoRTive.’’

EveN the faMilY ChRistMAs CaRd bEcAMe a CHaLleNGe. THey would WrItE abouT JonAS’S AFfinIty For sPorts And Wyatt’s “flaiR foR the DRamAtic.’’

BUt as tHey gReW oldeR, his coNcern GrEw. “I feared the unkNown,’’ He says.

“I feLt iT hAd nOtHing tO Do with How TheY would gRow up,’’ he SAys.

duRING tHose early years, whilE KELLy Was doing Her resEArCh, wAyne was hOpIng That THIs was No biG DeAl, that thIs was a STaGe wyatt juSt Had to gO tHroUgh.

after wYatt Began tO openly oBject TO being a boy, his mOTher started doINg RESeARch oN trAnsgender chIldrEN. TheRe waS LiTtlE Out thEre; it SeEMeD They would have to find ThEir way LargeLy on their own.

“SHe really is A GIRl,’’ Kelly sAys, “a GIrL Born with a birth DefecT. That’s how sHE looks at It.’’

KelLy and WayNe didn’t loOK At it as a cHoiCe tHeiR chILD wAs making.

NicolE ANd heR pArents fIleD a complAinT wiTh tHe MAiNe Humans RIght CommIsSiOn OvEr hEr rigHT to use thE gIrlS bAthRoom. THE commiSsion FounD tHaT She Had been DIsCRIminAtEd AgaiNst AnD, alonG witH The maines fAmily, fileD a lAWsuiT aGaInst the orono School DiStRict. The suiT iS peNding iN pEnobscot county Superior Court, and tHE Maines FamIly is ReprEsented by LawYers frOm tHE Gay & LeSbian ADvocaTeS & DeFENders (glaD) In BOsTon and by JoDI nofSingeR, wHo seRves on tHe Maine ACLU board.

“He’S TakEn on a lot,’’ Wayne SayS. “MidDLE sChoOL bOYs aNd SExuALIty, you know... boys cAn get pickeD oN.’’

it Was a burden THat joNas shouLdered aS well. tHe
 eyes. That was it for me.  There wer e ton s o f c ha llen gesfor us after t h at,but I knew my daughter  wasgo i ng t o  b e OK,  medica l ly . ’ ’
Wh en  th et wi ns we rein thefirst grad e,th eir parentsf ou nd a thera pis t for Wyatt,  wh o wasst art i ng to  ac t out . In t h e thir d grade,be f ore th e  GeMS C l i ni c wa s even open, Kell y  h e ard about Dr.Spackan d  m a d e a n a ppointment  w ith h i m.

The i re l d erl y  pediatrician , nearing r e tir ement,  d idn ot wan t todi s cus s the matte r wi th them.Finall y , Kelly pickedanothe r p edi atri c ia nout  o f  th e  p hon e  bo ok. “I t ol dher h ow i t w a s, a ndit t urned  out that she  un ders t ood  andwas v erysu pport ive.’’ 

Eve nthe family Chri stma s card be cam ea c ha lleng e . They  wo uld  writeabout J o nas ’s a f fi nity for sports an dW y at t’s “fla ir for th ed ramatic. ’’ 

B ut a s theygrew ol der, his  conce r ngr ew. “Ife ared t he  un kno wn,’’ he s ays.
“I feltit ha d  nothing to do with how they wo u l dg rowup, ’’ he says. 

Du r ingthos e  e arl y  year s, wh il e  K e lly was doing her r es earch,  Wayn e was hopingthat thisw a s  no bigdeal ,  t h at this was astage  Wyatt jus t  had togo th rough.
After Wya t t  began t o o pen lyobj e c tto being a bo y ,  his  m other s tar ted doi ngres ear chon  transgen der chil dr en .Th ere  wasl ittle ou tthe re ; i t see m ed the y wou ld h av et o f ind the i rw a y la rg el y on  th ei r own .

“ S hereallyis a girl ,’’ Kell ysa ys, “agirl born wit ha birth de fe ct.  That’ s how shelooks at it.’’

Kelly a n d Wayne  di dn’tlook  at it as  achoice  th e ir chi ld was  maki ng .
N i colea n dher  p arents fil e d  acompl ai nt w ith the  Maine Humans Righ t  Co mmission over  he r ri g h ttou se the  g i rls b athroom. The co mmission f ou n dthat she h a d b ee n discr iminate d aga i nst and , along w ith the M ai nesf a mil y, filed a  lawsuit  againstt he Or o no  Scho olDistri ct . T he su it isp end ing i n Peno bs cot Co untySu perior C ourt, and the Maines fa mily i s rep res ented bylaw y ers  from the  Gay  & Lesbian  Ad voc ates& D e fende rs ( G LA D)i n Bos tona nd by Jod i  N ofs i n ge r, who serv e s onthe M ain e  ACLUboar d.

“He’s taken o n  a lot,’’ Wayn e sa y s . “ Mid d le s ch ool boys and s exu al i t y, you k no w... boys c an get p ic k ed on .’’

I t wasa burde n th a t Jona s sh oul dered aswel l. The
 eyes._That was_it for me. There_were tons_of_challenges for_us_after that, but_I knew my_daughter was going to_be OK, medically.’’

When_the_twins were in the first grade, their parents found a therapist for Wyatt, who_was_starting to_act_out._In the third grade, before_the GeMS Clinic was even_open, Kelly_heard about Dr. Spack and made an appointment_with_him.

Their elderly pediatrician,_nearing retirement, did not want to discuss the matter_with them. Finally, Kelly picked another_pediatrician out of_the_phone_book. “I told her_how it was, and it turned_out that she understood and was_very supportive.’’

Even the family Christmas card became_a challenge. They would write about_Jonas’s affinity for sports and_Wyatt’s “flair_for the dramatic.’’

But as they_grew older, his_concern grew._“I feared the_unknown,’’ he says.

“I felt it had_nothing to do_with how they would grow up,’’_he_says.

During those early_years,_while_Kelly was_doing her research,_Wayne_was hoping_that_this was no big deal, that_this_was a stage Wyatt just had to_go through.

After Wyatt began_to_openly object to being_a boy, his mother started_doing research on transgender children. There_was little_out there;_it seemed they would have to find their way largely on_their own.

“She really is a girl,’’_Kelly says, “a girl_born with_a_birth defect. That’s_how_she looks_at it.’’

Kelly and Wayne didn’t look at_it as_a choice their child was making.

Nicole_and her parents filed_a_complaint with the Maine Humans Right_Commission over her right to use_the girls bathroom. The commission_found_that_she had been discriminated against_and, along with the Maines family,_filed a lawsuit_against the Orono School District. The suit_is_pending in Penobscot County Superior Court,_and_the Maines family is represented by_lawyers_from_the Gay & Lesbian Advocates_& Defenders (GLAD) in Boston and_by Jodi Nofsinger, who serves on the Maine ACLU_board.

“He’s taken on_a lot,’’ Wayne says. “Middle_school_boys_and sexuality, you know... boys can get picked on.’’

It was_a burden_that Jonas shouldered_as well. The