On These Shoulders We Stand
Wow! Maya and I went to a free movie screening at the LGBT center in San Francisco yesterday for an absolutely awesome documentary called On These Shoulders We Stand. Lots of people know about Stonewall and Harvey Milk, but this film focused on the movement for LGBT equal rights that was growing in Los Angeles even before Stonewall. The film focused on 11 people who discussed their experiences during that time. It was amazing to hear not just about the discrimination, violence, and stress of the time, especially at the hands of police, but also about the incredible resilience, determination and undying pride that all of them possessed in overcoming such extreme and often what seemed liked hopeless situations. They truly are the people on whose shoulders we stand! They paved the way for others just by refusing to accept that they could not be themselves and love who they loved.
The film dealt a lot with the 1897 law that was adopted in response to Continue reading »
Filed under From the Life, LGBTQI Families | Tags: acceptance, courage, empowerment, films, history, lgbt, neighborhood | 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)Our new CafePress Online Store:
Cool Gear to Empower
So one day we were thinking, wouldn’t it be great if we had t-shirts to wear at conferences or events and to have stickers available with our motto or The 3 Rules. And then we thought, maybe others might also enjoy such fun things. And thus our CafePress store was born. We’ve been busy playing and having fun designing cool graphics for t-shirts, stickers, and more. You can check out some of our offerings in our store including our Claiming Face journal where you can claim your self and your life on every page and remember that YOU are an Artist! A great compliment to our Claiming Face Ed Guide. More designs sure to come too including art from some of Maya’s children’s books! Enjoy!
Tales from “Our Community, Ourselves” Diversity Conference
Spring is here and we’ve been all over the place. I’m one of those terribly homey people. I LOVE home. But I also LOVE to travel. India, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, New York, Philadelphia, South Carolina, Vallejo, Alameda County… The world fascinates me with its beauty and variation, from the far away and vastly different to the close to home and still different! In San Francisco, we live in what I jokingly refer to as an “adjacent reality,” similar to the rest of the country, but noticeably unique. Ahhh, San Francisco, she’s an island unto herself in some ways. So even when we only travel a county or two away, I feel like we’re on an adventure…away from our familiar little village of the Castro and Mission Districts, away from the public trains and rolling fog, our local markets and favorite strolls.
This last Friday, April 23rd, we were up before the sun and off to the Newark Hilton for the Diversity Conference sponsored by Child, Family and Community Services, Inc. of Alameda County. I love doing these things with Matthew. He drives and I navigate. Usually I’ve been alone, so I drive and I have no idea who’s navigating. We got there nice and early and set up our table. It was the first public event for Claiming Face, the Educator’s Guide, and Continue reading »
