Reading to the kids of Nickerson Gardens
Last week I flew to Los Angeles for an American Federation of Teachers media event on August 19th. As a child, unions were a natural part of life to me. I grew up with talk of Cesar Chavez, as well as shop talk about the electric union my father belonged to. So I was honored to be included in supporting the union that supports some of my favorite and most respected fellows: educators.
The event took place at the Head Start Center, deep in the Nickerson Gardens Projects in Watts, Los Angeles. The outside walls were covered with fading, but powerful renditions of Martin Luther King Jr. and inspirational words. The images reminded me Continue reading »
Filed under Events, Maya in the Classroom | Tags: children, event, family, neighborhood, outreach, school visit | Comment (0)Fabulous Femmes love Gender Now!
What a weekend!! Two very full days of connecting and talking with lots of fabulous femmes and allies at the Femme Conference in Oakland.
Not only was it the debut of our Gender Now coloring book but we sold out of every copy! We even met Kate Bornstein, author of My Gender Workbook
which is referenced in the coloring book. Kate bought a copy and graciously signed our copy as well, even posed for a photo.
Maya had some of her new jewelry available which, from what we could tell, was a big hit. Zai helped us vend on Sunday and even set up her own stand. She was a great helper! 
After the awesome response to the coloring book, we’re even more looking forward to Gender Spectrum coming up in Berkeley September 3-6th! We just found out today that Maya will be presenting her workshop on Saturday at 9:40am. We are definitely looking forward to connecting with even more fabulously creative folks!!
Filed under Conferences, LGBTQI Families | Tags: conference, expression, femme, gender, identity, lgbt | Comment (0)August Newsletter: Gender Now Release and Conference Updates
Another new school year is almost here and with it brings exciting new things: Our Gender Now coloring book, Reflection Press’ 1 year anniversary AND the chance to meet and connect with new (and old friends) at upcoming conferences and school and library visits! We look forward to new adventures and fantastic art. Read the full newsletter by clicking on the image below. Hope you enjoy the last bits of summer!
Gender Now Coloring Book: A Learning Adventure for Children and Adults
When we received the very first copy of GENDER NOW we couldn’t have been more pleased! After several years of hard work and dedication in creating the art and text for the book, it was finally here. And yet even as we held the first copy, looking at the kids playing and dancing throughout the pages of the book, it felt like it had always been. It’s funny how that happens. It’s as if the images of the children had made their personalities known as we worked with them, telling us who they were, and how they wanted to share their message with other children.
We can only hope that this book will reach all the children who are desperately seeking reflection in their world. We know that it is the children who will change the world and instilling messages of equality and acceptance can only serve to further the goal of positive change. We hope that whether you are transgender or not, whether you know someone who is transgender or not, you will take a moment to connect with the child within, open the coloring book, get out your crayons and let the kids of the gender team open your mind to all the many ways to be in this world.
| Read more about the Coloring Book>>> | Read the Press Release>>> |
| View inside and buy>>> |
Proposition 8 Overturned!
What a fabulous day, not only did we send off our Gender Now coloring book to be printed today but also a Federal Judge overturned Proposition 8 which had taken away the right to marry for same-sex couples in California. All over California LGBT people are celebrating, marching, and dancing in the streets. Maya and I were interviewed in the Castro about our thoughts on the court decision. I didn’t know what to say at first and then I remembered….what would have it been like if my dads could have been married? How would that have legitimized my family and my experience and provided much needed reflection? It’s hard to say but I imagine that it would have spoken volumes in more ways than I could imagine. While California joins other states in beginning to recognize the rights of ALL, there’s still a ways to go until full equality. But in the meantime let’s celebrate the small victories and dance in the streets!!!
To read the full ruling click here.
Filed under LGBTQI Families | Tags: acceptance, celebration, empowerment, family, lgbt, reflection | Comment (0)
