Misc
Brad and Angelina Support Shiloh Jolie-Pitt’s Decision to Go By the Name “John” (REPORT)
Editor’s Note: Out of respect to gender identity, we, like many other publications, referred to the eight-year-old using gender-neutral “they” pronouns.
Angelina Jolia and Brad Pitt definitely go down as two of the coolest parents in our book!
In 2008, the 51-year-old father told Oprah Winfrey his now eight-year-old Shiloh preferred the name John. And earlier this month, the couple supported their child's decision to wear a suit at the LA premiere of mom's film, 'Unbroken' [see lead image].
In a new interview with 'The Telegraph,' child psychologist Linda Blair has commended the parents for showing their support for their child. Blair used John as an opportunity to educate adults about how to address a child’s gender exploration, rather than dismissing it as “just a phase,” while praising Brad and Angelina for encouraging their children.
RELATED: Angelina Jolie Confesses — “I’m Not the Perfect Wife”
Brad and Angie’s fourth-born was not even three-years-old in 2008, when the actor told the talk show host they would only reply to “John” within their home.
In 2010, Angelina opened up to ‘Vanity Fair’ about John’s gender identity — which they have expressed freely since they were a toddler.
“She wants to be a boy,” Angie said. “So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boys’ everything. She thinks she’s one of the brothers.”
LGBT-interest magazine ‘The Advocate’ applauded Brad and Angelina’s support of John’s exploration and expression, citing their recent decision to wear a suit on the red carpet premiere of Angie’s flick as an example.
“To explore what it means to be both genders is also totally normal,” Blair said. “But the problem is we have suppressed it for so many generations, that people are sill uncomfortable with it.”
