Call Me Helen

Is This My Son No matter how often Tobias Wilke poses this question theres always only one answer Yes Tobias cant believe his eyes when he comes to the airport to pick up his 17yearold son Finn and learns that Finn is now calling herself Helen and wearing girls clothes FinnHelen reveals that shes always was a girl and that she used her year abroad in San Francisco to pass the everyday life test This is required by law for everyone preparing for the sex reassignment surgery they will undergo upon reaching majority Reactions from Helens friends acquaintances and schoolmates cover the entire gamut from derision to solidarity Especially Helens father a wellknown chef finds it difficult to accept a situation he cannot understand But Helen nearly always finds the right words and humor to counterbalance the ignorance and jeers of those around her It is the beginning of a long winding road towards the sexual identity she is convinced is hers