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Watch: ‘My Transgender Kid’ kicks off tonight on Channel 4

By Will Stroude

A new three-part series following the lives of some of Britain’s youngest transgender children kicks off on Channel 4 tonight (October 6), and we’ve got a preview to share with you ahead of transmission.

Directed by Nicholas Sweeney, My Transgender Kid follows two ordinary families as they attempt to navigate the challenges of having a 7-year old-child who is changing gender. The programme shows parents facing decision few others could comprehend, like having to switch pronouns and deciding whether to allow their kids go to school as their true gender and risk bullying and judgment.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Will Young meets fans and signs copies of his book 'Funny Peculiar' at Selfridges on October 11, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Paddy McGuire was born a boy, but from the age of two, began to wear skirts, played with dolls and read books aimed at girls. Now aged eight, Paddy says she is and always has been a girl, but is still forced to present as a boy at school to avoid bullying.

In the touching preview below, her mother Lorraine – who admits she sometimes struggles to deal with ‘losing’ her youngest son – reads her daughter a poem she wrote about her transition, in which she compares her to a caterpillar turning into a beautiful butterfly.

The family also appeared on Good Morning Britain this morning, where they discussed Paddy’s development as a transgender child, and what they hoped the show could teach people about trans acceptance – you can watch the interview here.

My Transgender Kid begins on tonight (October 6) at 10pm on Channel 4.

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