Charlize Theron says she is raising her child as a girl: 'It is not for me to decide'

'I have two beautiful daughters who, just like any parent, I want to protect and I want to see thrive'

Charlize Theron has said she is raising her first child, who was born male, as a girl.

The Oscar-winning actor discussed the identity of seven-year-old Jackson, who is one of her two adopted children recently, acknowledging that she used to think Jackson “was a boy”.

“Yes, I thought she was a boy, too. Until she looked at me when she was three years old and said, ‘I am not a boy!’” Theron told the Daily Mail.

The Mad Max and Monster star went on to say: “So there you go! I have two beautiful daughters who, just like any parent, I want to protect and I want to see thrive.

“They were born who they are and exactly where in the world both of them get to find themselves as they grow up, and who they want to be, is not for me to decide.”

Theron adopted Jackson in 2012 followed by her other daughter, August, three years later.

Charlize Theron’s comments have been received positively, with several transgender activists expressing their support on social media.

American lawyer and transgender activist Chase Strangio said: “Thank you Charlize for being the type of parent all kids deserve.”

Transgender broadcaster India Willoughby posted several messages for Theron, saying she is “setting a fantastic example”.

Willoughby also said: “Go Charlize! LOVE this attitude ... this is the future. Beautiful. FANTASTIC PARENT.”

During the interview, the 43-year-old actress added: “My job as a parent is to celebrate them and to love them and to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be what they want to be.

“And I will do everything in my power for my kids to have that right and to be protected within that.”