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)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)Happy Pride: Forty and Fabulous!
Here in San Francisco pride weekend has finally arrived! The glitter and sequins and boas…the rainbow flags flying high along Market Street from the Embarcardero all the way up to the Castro…the giant pink triangle adorning the top of Twin Peaks. Yup, it’s Pride in San Francisco and the culmination of an entire month of Pride! This year’s theme: “Forty and Fabulous”
We are marching in the parade this morning with Zai as usual waving to the crowds of people lined along the street to watch the 40th annual Pride celebration. Many other cities across the country have been celebrating their own Pride events and we too have been attending many events in our own neighborhood, attending lots of really superb films and performances, like Frameline 34 and Fresh Meat, and just generally being and feeling proud.
It is the festivities of Pride that often make us appreciate the value and importance of reflection in our world. For a whole month the world has a few more rainbows in it! Be Out! Be Proud! Be Fabulous!
Filed under From the Life, LGBTQI Families | Tags: celebration, family, festive, fun, holiday, lgbt, pride | Comment (0)For the Love of Harvey…Unspeakable Joy!
Ghandi/October 2
Martin Luther King Jr./January 15
Cesar Chavez/March 31
Harvey Milk/May 22
These are special days. They are dedicated first to honor these individuals, their lives and their contribution to our world and our lives. Second, these days represent a call to learn and align ourselves with the spirit and intent of their work. We are each challenged to come forward and live it in our own way.
Ever since I was a child and well into adulthood, through stories my father told about Cesar, through the unforgettable words of Martin, and films about Ghandi and Harvey, I learned that while we may be disenfranchised within the dominant paradigm, we can be a peaceful, powerful and an undeniable presence for change. We are here. We belong. And yes! We, absolutely all of us, are powerful, beautiful, wise and worthy.
I have come to know this for myself in part because of the mere existence of these four people and the impact of their thought and work in the world. But how do I know about them? It is because of the specific attention given to them, the honor, the respect. I have learned their words and come to recognize their images in schools and libraries, public spaces and media. Through example they have taught me some of my most valuable lessons for being committed to my own true nature while living on this planet. They have honored me first. They have valued and reflected me in my worth. In my own much simpler way, I try to thank them and continue the flow of their beautiful intentions through my work, my life, my thoughts and words. They stand as my models.
This weekend, Matthew and I attended some of the events in our neighborhood for the first ever Harvey Milk Day. I say all the time how much Continue reading »
Filed under LGBTQI Families, Power of Reflection | Tags: celebration, courage, family, festive, fun, lgbt, reflection | Comment (0)
