You know what they often say about silence, right?
It can speak volumes.
And, in the case of Kody Brown at the moment?
Most social media users think his ongoing quietness about a significant family issue doesn’t say anything positive at all.
Late on Monday, one of Kody’s kids came out as transgender.
In a brave Instagram post, the woman formerly known as Mariah Brown revealed a new name and the new pronouns THEY would prefer to be known by.
“someone recently told me that i didn’t have to have all of my shit figured out in order for me to share myself with the world,” wrote the Sister Wives star, adding:
“so here’s me, definitely not having almost any of my shit figured out, to let you know that i am trans. my name is Leon or Leo (i love both) and my pronouns are they/them.”
In response to this announcement, Meri Brown simply re-shared Leon’s post and wrote: “You are my sunshine.”
Perfect, no?
Says it all.
Conversely, however, Kody hasn’t said a word in public about Leon going on in detail about their new identity and preference.
“It’s heartwarming to know that Meri is supportive,” one fan shared via an online discussion board this week.
“God knows Kody likely isn’t. Leon deserves everyone in their corner.”
Added someone else in the wake of this bombshell:
“I often wonder how Kody really feels knowing his history, background, upbringing, and constant need to prove he is a man.”
To be fair, it’s worth noting that Leon revealed their sexuality to family members on a Sister Wives episode in 2017 — and Kody actually took it well.
“I thought about this years ago, and I made a decision,” Kody told People Magazine after his daughter said she was a lesbian.
“My job as a dad is to love and respect and not to judge.”
We make fun of Kody a lot on this website — like, A LOT, the guy is extremely selfish and insensitive — but that’s the perfect response in this sort of situation.
Just before Thanksgiving in 2016, Leon sat down with their five parents — father, Kody, biological mother, Meri, and their mothers through polygamy, Janelle, Christine and Robyn — and told them that they was gay.
“My reaction was just I am really glad she was born to us,” said Kody afterward.
“I made my peace with God on this and he gave you to me because he knows that I am going to love you.
“Total acceptance.”
On Monday, meanwhile, Leon concluded as follows:
i remember the first time that i knew i wasn’t a girl. i was pretty young & unfortunately i grew up in a context that was incredibly gendered & restrictive.
so i continued to be socialized as a girl & later a woman. and here’s the thing, i’m finally ready to share my favorite self with the world. and that self is incredibly genderqueer, trans, and unapologetic.
being queer & trans are definitely some of my favorite parts of myself.
and yet, there are so many things that i am learning to love about myself through this process.
here’s to me getting to know myself, share myself, and continually evolve to be the person i am, to be my favorite self in all contexts.
i
