Momma Pride

Happy Thanksgiving. And Thank YOU!

Thank you for reading my blog and my book, for supporting my work. In doing so you are helping me make a positive change in the world. Since He’s Always Been My Son was released I have been traveling about to promote my book, share my experiences of raising a transgender child, and educate about gender. During my travels, I have had the pleasure of meeting the most wonderful people.

One family drove an hour to my book talk at Book Passage in Corte Madera. They had heard about the book and wanted to meet me. They sat in the front row, and when it was time for the signing they were among the first in line. The young man of the family was beaming his bright blue eyes and wide smile toward me as I signed his book and chatted with his mom. When I looked up at him he looked me right in the eye and said “I’m transgender!”

He said this with such pride! I thanked him for telling me, and his mom and I shared a glance, a "momma pride" glance, that made my eyes well up. (If the family I am talking about is reading this please contact me, I’d love to share a photo that someone took of us together at the book signing.)

This is why I do my work. I hope that sharing our story and educating about gender will lead to greater understanding and acceptance among us. And I hope that one day all transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people can feel as comfortable and proud of their gender ID as my young friend with the big smile and bright eyes.