Children identifying to feel special

That reminds me of the Gires penguins where the little penguin realises he is a girl penguin (or vice versa) and they all celebrate and have a big cake.

Yup.
Arguably, they help make it cool and fashionable for the kids who are a little goofy, a little nerdy, awkward and traditionally lower in the social pecking order, to join a new and special community.

It would be interesting to know how many of the 'ROGD' epidemic fit that description - or that other group liable to be derided rather than celebrated by their peers, lesbian girls. I can't say I blame them too much if they adopt the trendier labels of 'queer' , 'pan' or whatever, or 'nonbinary' which at least may avoid the path to medicalisation and mutilation.

It's an interesting read.

It's not a popular view I'm sure, but I can't help think there are definitely a number of cases where children (and adults) find "specialness" through gender identity.

My own observations of some fairly prominent trans activists (naming no names) would suggest this is particularly true of people choosing to be either non binary or trans but in terms of the latter making no attempt to transition beyond names, pronouns and clothing.

In short claiming the identity without having any skin in the game.

Yet it still provides a platform to be "noticed" and "supported" (especially "lauded") on social media and in some cases provides access to opportunities they would not otherwise had been considered for (or indeed had the prior experience/qualities/sex).