"I am a mother, and I will do anything and everything in my power to protect and support [my child]."

A New York woman has launched a petition after a judge reportedly ruled she must not allow her child to identify as transgender, including a prohibition referring to the child with female pronouns or allowing her to wear girls’ clothes—even in private.

Lauren Wisser of Geneseo, New York, writes that her six-year-old child, “S,” identifies as female.

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I thought at first it was a phase and was happy to indulge his childhood exploration. He picked out a name he preferred, clothing he felt more comfortable in and demanded that I call him my daughter. As I supported these choices, ‘S’ thrived and, as time passed, I realized this was no phase. Now my child tells me that in his heart, he is a girl. Although this world is not always easy for those who are a little different, I am a mother, and I will do anything and everything in my power to protect and support him.

But on October 30, Wisser received a temporary court order barring her from supporting S’s desire to present as female.

I am now not allowed to refer to ‘S’ as a she, or by the name ‘S’ has chosen. I am not to allow my child to dress in clothing that is anything but gender neutral or boy clothing. Not even in the privacy of our own home—the one place where I had promised a safe haven — can I allow my child’s free self-expression. As a mother, this is breaking my heart.

While Wisser (understandably) leaves some details out, it’s possible she’s involved in a custody battle with S’s father, who does not support their child’ transition.

I know what is best for my child. The state has no right to impose this invasive court order on us. Please join me and ask the court to drop this order and allow my child to be himself. This is a parent’s choice, not the court’s.

Wisser has launched a Change.org petition to protect S’s civil liberties.

She is hoping to get at least 10,000 signatures, after which she’ll present it to New York Supreme Court Judge Tom Moran.