During the graduation ceremony, my son arrived wearing a puffy red gown. The room…

“I know why you’re laughing,” he said, his voice soft but steady, carrying across the vast auditorium. “You see a boy in a dress and you find it funny, unusual, or even strange.

But tonight, I want to talk about something far more important—being true to oneself.” The room fell into an unexpected hush.

Students, teachers, and parents alike shifted in their seats, caught between surprise, curiosity, and the realization that something significant was unfolding. There was a palpable tension in the air, a moment pregnant with anticipation. And there, at the center of the stage, stood Liam, my son, radiant and unwavering, wearing a dress that shimmered softly under the stage lights.