Pop singer Pink has always been an advocate for queer rights and has long been vocal about raising her kids in a gender-neutral way. But after opening up to the U.K. tabloid the Mirror, Pink is going viral all over again for creating a label-less household where her kids can thrive.
While chatting with Mirror, Pink talked about her six-year-old daughter, Willow, who regularly skirts gender norms when she appears with her mom. Instead of questioning Willow’s feelings or pushing her daughter to change her values to fit more rigid gender roles, Pink embraces Willow’s daydreams and encourages her to be whoever she wants to be.
“We are a very label-less household,” Pink explained to Mirror’s the People. “Last week, Willow told me she is going to marry an African woman. I was like: ‘Great, can you teach me how to make African food?’ And she’s like: ‘Sure, mama, and we are going to live with you while our house is getting ready.'”
Of course, by gender-neutral parenting, Pink means that she doesn’t force them to engage in traditionally masculine or feminine activities. Her daughter and son can both dress up, play make-believe, and identify however they choose. And if that means Willow wants to marry a woman when she’s older, Pink is embracing that.
“I was in a school and the bathroom outside the kindergarten said: ‘Gender Neutral—anybody,’ and it was a drawing of many different shapes,” Pink explained to Mirror. “I took a picture of it and I wrote: ‘Progress.’ I thought that was awesome. I love that kids are having this conversation.”
Of course, it didn’t take long for the internet to comment on Pink’s parenting, with many offering praise.
https://twitter.com/ghostridermav/status/937545033716260865
https://twitter.com/spidhrboy/status/937353415520325632
https://twitter.com/AliJaneHolland/status/937355100292558848
I want Pink be my mom too!! (〒︿〒) pic.twitter.com/5iaYlth9sF
— Klaus J. B. 🌈 (@KlausJB7) December 3, 2017
This is the future
— butera bitch (@creationofgodga) December 3, 2017
After Pink’s parenting style was targeted on Breitbart, however, the online reaction from “alt-right” and conservative naysayers began to sour the fun. Luckily, Twitter users clarified that Pink isn’t forcing her kids to embrace transgressive gender roles. She’s just foregoing labels and normative thinking.
https://twitter.com/emilygmonster/status/937807630076170240
https://twitter.com/charli_couraud/status/938091762127585280
https://twitter.com/brinirescueme/status/937358473553211392
We are forced into gender roles based off society's want for procreation. I'd be the same way. Also wouldn't speak of religion. That's something they can decide on their own.
— 🌊𝓢𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓞𝓪𝓼𝓲𝓼🌊 (@ArtisticWhit_) December 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/JoanneDiamandis/status/937363753607286789
Plus, it’s her kids anyway.
Who cares it's her children.
— Gg (@Ggsinfor) December 5, 2017
Shoot, in Victorian Era boys wore dresses and pink n girls wore soft blue
https://twitter.com/56Buttercup_/status/937906220454756352
This isn’t the first time Pink stood up for inclusivity, or that she publicly praised her daughter, for that matter. During her acceptance speech for MTV’s Video Vanguard Award this summer, Pink spoke about Willow’s self-esteem struggles and the need to grow and help others feel enriched.
“We don’t change,” Pink told Willow. “We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl, and we help other people to change so that they can see more kinds of beauty.”
H/T the Mirror