Butterfly

We took him to a child psychologist when he was five.

because he seemed to be identifying as a girl.

I don't want, like, special treatment.

I want to be, you know, normal.

- Who's that in the car? - That is Gemma.

Hiya.

Oh, my god. Lily, call an ambulance!

She was going out on a date.

- Were you upset about that? - Oh, yeah, that's right, blame me!

- What do you want? - I wanna keep Max safe.

You agree, then, you're letting me back?

It doesn't mean I'm forgiving you.

I've got to be there for him.

What aren't you telling me, Stephen?

Going into business, are you?

- I'm not gay. - What else could you be?

Max wants to go to school like this from now on,

and he wants to change his name to Maxine.

Then I'm going to lose my little boy.

Why can't he stop this?

Why can't he just stop it?!

It's... Vicky and Stephen Duffy.

If you just sign your names there, and I'll just get your name badges for you.

- Great. - There we go. First time?

Yeah.

Let me take you through to meet Alice.

Alice? So sorry...

Um, this is Vicky and Stephen.

We spoke on the phone. Lovely to meet in person.

Good to meet you, too.

And don't worry, I know exactly how you're feeling.

The dads don't always come.

My daughter experienced hate crimes...

Being...

..Beaten up... by grown men.

Being... constantly and deliberately called "Him" or "He"

by one of her own teachers.

Until...

we made a complaint to the police.

This was Sam, aged eight.

And this is Samantha.

Aged 23.

Doesn't she look happy?

Same person, just the realisation of who she always was.

And now, living and working in Rome, dating a gorgeous Italian.

Stay, please.

OK, any questions?

Hi, we're new.

Our 12-year-old child wants to start going to school as a girl.

She wants to be called Maxine, not Max, she, not he,

and... well, we don't know what to do.

Listen to your child.

If she's convinced...

Then so should we be.

And you need to speak to your school.

Talk to your head teacher, and get them involved,

before your child starts dressing as a girl.

If you want any support with it...

That's what we're here for.

- Thank you. Thanks. - Yeah?

- Thanks. - OK.

Thank you, nice to meet... nice to meet you.

I found that really encouraging, didn't you? It was like...

They made you feel like everything was gonna be OK.

How did you feel?

You were very quiet in there.

Max asked me to stay, to be a better dad, so, I'm here.

I found it difficult, if I'm being honest.

But at least we saw the place.

- Right? - Right.

All right, gay boy?

Is that you rubbing yourself up against me?

That's harassment, that is.

Get smacked for it.

Do you sit when you piss, or what?

Move!

Your mum's setting up her own business...

So I'm multi-tasking.

Watch your feet.

A bit of role reversal, eh?

But I look good, yeah?

Max?

Is it the uniform thing? The...

changing your name thing, the, you know...

..Pronoun?

No, none of that.

Ok.

School?

All right.

Tell me about it.

I wish I had... like... superpowers, you know.

A punch that could send kids flying.

Adnan's doing so well, aren't you?

He's putting his hand up in class, and he's asking questions in English.

You should be very proud of him. I am.

Um, would you excuse me, please?

You see him? That's my son.

I'll tell you what, you go near him again, you say anything to him again,

I will put my hand so far down your throat, I will rip out your heart.

Do you understand?

Can't hit kids, mate.

It's against the law.

- What? - It's assault.

I'll just tell them that I was defending him against a hate crime.

You know what sort of hate I'm talking about, don't you?

So, unless you boys wanna get on board

with peace, love, and understanding, you will see me again, so, go on, piss off!

What the hell do you think you were doing?

I'm trying! They've been bullying him.

They could make a complaint, or worse still, you could get a police caution.

They don't like what I am.

I'm just trying to make life easier and better for him, OK?

That is not the way to do it. You don't threaten kids.

I'm doing what I can.

I'm trying. I'm trying.

He threatened to beat up some children, Paula.

How is that supposed to help Max?

Yeah, I know it's a big deal, but...

- But what? - It's gorgeous!

Oh, that's orange and ylang-ylang.

- What are you called? - Lathered.

I'll take two of those, and two of the apricot.

Look, I know Stephen messed up, but...

You can't keep Max in limbo.

I know.

Right, we're here to celebrate...

The launch of our new business.

To Lathered!

Lily's got some. Can I have some?

You're bubbly enough.

Yeah, but he could be even bubblier, couldn't you?

Today is about your mother.

I always thought you were capable of more, you know.

The potential you've got in you.

Thank you, Peter.

- Him, he's just a coaster, isn't he? - Yeah.

You, you're a pusher, a go-getter.

Er, and me.

You, yes, congratulations. To the ladies.

Female sex!

- Hey, all right, that's enough. - Right, Max?

What? Come on, I'm dead proud.

My wife, the entrepreneur, hey?

Can't give up work yet, son. Wait till the money starts rolling in.

Well, it was supposed to be a celebration.

To paper over the cracks.

What cracks?

Well, that... child psychologist you all had to go to.

What do they call it? Family therapy?

We're as good as any other parents, Barbara.

Are you?

I mean, you've still not given him what he wants.

That's enough.

All right, Nigella.

Max, hurry up, your dad's signature dish is on the pass.

OK, what should we toast, then?

You and me?

We're not exactly happily ever after, are we?

But, um...

We're getting somewhere.

Me and you?

Look, I know he is what he is, but Max has been in that bathroom so long

that my bladder's about to explode.

- How long's he been in there for? - Like half an hour, why?

- Really? - Yeah.

Has he locked the door?

- I think so. - Max!

Max.

Max!

- Max. - Darling, unlock the door.

Max, it's Lily!

Max!

- I don't want it! - Max!

Leave it! It's disgusting!

- Stand back. - I wanna get rid of it!

I don't want it!

Max!

Oh, my god!

Max, what are you doing?

It's changing, it's changing all the time!

- It makes me feel sick! - Give me the glass.

- I want to get rid of it! - There's glass in the bath.

It's getting bigger. I wanna get rid of it!

OK!

Right... Listen to me... Come on.

I can't stand it.

It's OK, it's OK.

They said this would happen, didn't they?

They said this is how you're gonna feel.

Now we've got to listen to you, we've got to do something. Come on!

We will. We will, son, we will.

- We will, Maxine! - OK, Maxine.

Ok.

Maxine, you do realise this isn't just a matter of...

swapping one colour pencil case for another, or opting for netball?

The choice you wanna make now, it...

Do you have any idea how hard it's gonna be?

Sheila, he's started puberty, and he's not handling it.

He tried to take a broken glass to his erection.

Mom!