(Picture: Simon Jacobs/Caters News) A schoolgirl transformed into a boy overnight after leaving a note for his parents to say he’s now to be known as Josh.

14-year-old Josh Parsons, formally known as Sarah, told his mum, Lisa, and step-dad, Darren Nickolson, both 41, in a note that he had changed his name and gender.

Though his family were initially shocked, they supported his decision and helped Josh get rid of all of his female clothes.

Josh shaved his head and changed his bedroom, and is much happier as a boy.


Josh as Sarah (Picture: Simon Jacobs/Caters News) His mum, Lisa, couldn’t be more proud of her son and claims she always thought he was different to his three older sisters.



The family have embraced Josh’s physical change and have stated they will pay for surgery when he’s 16 years old.

Josh – who has been transitioning since April this year – is now on the waiting list for NHS hormone treatments.

Lisa, a logistics driver, from Orpington, London, said: ‘I accepted that my daughter wanted to be a boy straight away.

(Picture: Caters News)

‘Josh who was then called Sarah left us a note saying that loved us but wanted to be known as Josh from now on.

‘And from that moment his life as Sarah ended and ever since April we have been addressing Josh as a male.

‘He has shaved his head and is happier than I’ve ever seen him.

‘Josh also told his school that he wanted to change his gender and we’ve supported him ever since.

‘I think it’s important for children to be able to discuss their issues and Josh was always different to his older sisters.

(Picture: Simon Jacobs/Caters News) ‘We’ve since changed his bedroom into a graffiti art wall instead of it being purple and girly and have since got rid of all of his dresses.’

Josh now dresses as a boy for school and is exciting to start his hormone treatment.

Lisa added: ‘There’s a 14 month waiting list before hormone treatment can start.

‘It’s a long waiting list and Josh is already hating the changes in his body.

‘He has quite big boobs which is something that embarrasses him and he hates having boobs.

(Picture: Simon Jacobs/Caters News) ‘In two years he will be eligible to have a mastectomy if he wants to and if he can’t have it on the NHS, I will pay for it myself.

‘Josh has always been more into boys toys than girls and even when I was pregnant I felt different with him than my other girls.

‘As long as Josh is happy being male then we’re happy to support him every step of the way.’

Despite now adopting a male appearance by shaving his head and wearing male clothes, Josh has been subjected to some cruel taunts.



Lisa added: ‘He was told on the bus by a group of kids that he looked like a girl still which upset him but he soon gets over it.

‘It makes him over the moon when someone refers to him as ‘young lad’ or ‘sir’ when we’re eating out.

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‘Also, now that he looks male, he’s able to use the men’s toilets without being questioned.

‘At the moment Josh seems keen to have surgery to lose his feminine features but as he’s only young we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

‘It’s strange because he already looks like he has an Adams apple.

‘I hope other parents read our story and realise that despite it being a shock when your child says they’re transgender that the most important thing is to support them.’

Josh said: ‘I feel much happier now everyone knows that I’m transgender.

‘I will be looking at getting a binder to shrink my chest and to start hormones in the next few months.’

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