Actress and TV host Coleen Garcia strongly addressed a netizen who attempted to label her son’s gender and sexuality based on his interests, after comments circulated online about her child’s fondness for flowers.
The issue began when a netizen—who allegedly claimed to be a psychology graduate—commented on Coleen’s son Amari, suggesting that the child showed “effeminate tendencies” simply because he enjoys flowers and plants.
In response, Coleen took to Facebook to shut down the assumptions and defend her child, stressing that interests should never be used to define a child’s identity.
“Let’s stop assuming a child’s gender or sexuality based on their interests. A boy liking flowers doesn’t mean anything beyond the fact that he likes flowers,” Coleen wrote. “Amari has loved plants since he was little, and that should be celebrated, not labeled. Kids deserve the freedom to be themselves, gently, fully, and without assumptions.”
She followed this up with a longer explanation addressing what she described as a common and harmful misconception.
“I don’t understand why some people assume a child’s gender identity or sexuality just because of their interests,” she said. “Liking flowers doesn’t define who a child is. Amari has loved flowers and plants since he was little, and that’s simply part of who he is—curious, gentle, and appreciative of nature.”
Coleen also urged netizens to be more mindful when commenting about children online.
“Let’s be more mindful and stop labeling children based on stereotypes. Interests don’t determine gender or sexuality. Kids should be free to enjoy things—gentle things, creative things, and beautiful things, like flowers—without being boxed into assumptions,” she added.
In the comments section of her post, Coleen included a screenshot of a remark claiming that boys who like flowers are likely to become gay, even stating that Amari supposedly had “the highest probability” of being one. Coleen firmly rejected the statement, reiterating that such conclusions are baseless and inappropriate.
Her response was met with widespread support, particularly from fellow parents who said they could relate to her experience and praised her for speaking up as a mother.
Coleen is married to Billy Crawford. The couple tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed Amari in 2020. They welcomed their second child, Austin, in 2024.
