It’s time for me to come out. My name is Lori and for nearly two and a half years now you’ve known me as the blogger C.J.’s Mom. And, now I’m an author. Or, I will be on September 3, 2013.
I’m coming out in a big way and you, my loyal readers, have had a hand in it.
You shared my writings with people through social media, emails, conversations and, sometimes, during whispered interactions when you knew the other person would benefit from reading about my sparkly son. Because of your support I caught the attention of some pretty important people. Now, in less than five months, I’ll be sharing our lives with a broader audience when the Random House’s Broadway imprint releases Raising My Rainbow — my book based on my blog.
It was with a massive amount of thought and consideration that I agreed to write the book. Should we risk our anonymity? In doing so, would we risk our safety? Did I even have the time to write a book while maintaining my career, our home and our children’s sense of normalcy? Did I want to be the face of a cause? What would C.J. and his brother Chase think of the book now? What would they think of it in 10 years? 20 years?
In the end, C.J.’s Dad Matt and I were and continue to be certain that a book like Raising My Rainbow is needed to encourage the world to change for the sake of gender nonconforming and LGBTQ kids. We have to try. We have to try educating as many people as we can about children like C.J. so that hopefully, growing up and thriving from childhood to adolescence and beyond is the least painful experience possible.
The book is a lot like the blog. It gives people a glimpse into our lives in hopes that they will see that we are not weird – we are just different. And, different isn’t bad. Different can and does happen to anybody. Your neighbor. Your coworker. Your friend. Your enemy. You.
The book is about expectations. You don’t always get what you expect when you are expecting. When your child is born you expect that their sex and gender will align. Sometimes they don’t. You expect that your male child will like traditionally male things and that he’ll be physically and emotionally attracted to a woman. Sometimes that doesn’t happen. There is comfort found in expectations, but when those expectations are squashed when your child is three, four or five years old you start to question why they exist at all. You build new expectations and try not to be jaded when people around you hold tight to the old ones.
The book is about empathy. It took us a while to realize that what we want most from other people is empathy. You don’t have to fully understand gender, sex and sexuality; we just ask that you have an open heart and an open mind. Imagine for a minute what our child and we have to go through on a daily basis. What would you do if you had a child like C.J.? Judge less and imagine more. Treat others how you want to be treated. Period.
The book is about the evolution of a family. When our son grabbed that first Barbie, we set out on a journey of evolution – though we didn’t know it at first. The evolution was slow and, at times, didn’t feel like it was moving forward or felt like we were fighting it. But, it happened; no one in our family is the same person that they were three years ago. Now, I wouldn’t change this experience for anything in the world. I couldn’t always say that.
Finally, the book is about equality. There’s a new civil right movement happening in our country. It astonishes me that in 2013 we need a civil rights movement at all. It should be a given that all people are created equal and should be treated as such – whether it’s on the playground or in the nation’s capitol. The book is my way of taking a firm stand in the movement. It is my way of publicly saying that my son and brother deserve the same human rights and human decency taken for granted by the majority of the country’s population. I want my son to be treated like a human being. If you can’t tell if he is a boy or a girl, then just treat him like a person.
As I move toward September 3 with excitement and fear, I hope that you will accompany me. You will never know how much you mean to my family and me. You all have taught me the difference between sex and gender; you have taught me how to parent an LGBTQ child; you have taught me how to get lipgloss out of my son’s hair when one particular makeover went awry; and the list goes on and on.
The blog will continue to exist as an outlet for me. Will I only be Lori now? No, I’m also C.J.’s Mom. Which names will I use? I’m not sure. I have to see what feels comfortable. Will there be identifying photos of our family on the blog now? Nope. I’ll continue to amaze you with my nondescript iPhone photography skills. Will I keep you updated on book news from now on? You betcha.
For us, life continues to be an adventure. I’m glad that you are along for the ride. I hope that you continue to be. Wish me luck and buy my book and thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a rad blogosphere family.
xoxo,
Lori Duron/C.J’s Mom/Blogger/Author/Candlestick Maker
Raising My Rainbow 
I had the wonderful opportunity of listening to you today on the wusf NPR radio show. The stories hit home and I found myself in tears. I finally got some answers, resources, and for once did not feel alone.
How brave of you and your family to share this part of your lives with the world.
I have two boys of my own, 7 and 3. My 3 yr old is attracted to beautiful sparkly pink toys, mermaids, hello kitty and loves dressing up in anything that’s a dress.
I cannot wait to read your book. I look forward to learning more, alongside my son, about ourselves.
I was one of the lucky ones on LibraryThing to win an Advance Reader Copy of your book, Lori. It arrived this morning. I finished it this evening. What a wonderful book! I don’t have a gender creative son, but I do have a gay son (he is the younger of my two boys – maybe there is something to the gender birth order theory!). I fully connected with your feelings of not wanting your child to be gay – not because it’s a bad thing, but because you hurt for the difficult path it may lead them down. Hopefully, the more we talk about it, the less difficult the path will become. My son came out to me when he was 12. They know – and they know young. Anyway, just wanted to let you know how much I loved the book – please keep giving us updates on your family!
Congratulations, Lori. This is so inspiring to me. Lately I’ve been mired in the ugliness of education politics and worried that we are all little more than pawns to a corporate machine, and then I read that not only are you being published, but the publisher CAME TO YOU. It speaks worlds about how far we’ve come, that a publisher believes the public ready for your story… and worlds about the distance we will travel as your story and others like yours make their way into the hands of people questioning their own preconceived notions about gender and anyone else’s. Thank you for your courage and commitment.
Jan C.
Oh , so proud and how life changing this will be! My son is gay but wasn’t gender varient…but his partner is! I am buying this for Gabe, whose Mom loved him and bought him Barbie dolls and let him cook and be fabulous when he was little. Oh, he suffered, though and was bullied. But at home he could be himself. You will always be C.J.’s Mom forever. Thanks to all of your family for walking this road together-uncharted. I walked it myself and felt so alone raising a gay son in a conservative town. But my family-my PFLAG family and gay sisters and brothers helped me!
You are so brave, and you and your family-so wonderful! I can not wait for September 3rd!!
Best news ever…..cannot wait!
Congratulations on the book. I hope to add a copy to my personal library and to the LGBT library a friend and I are trying to start.
I just have one question: Do you really make candlesticks?
Good to meet you by name at last, Lori. Congrats on the book, I’ll be looking forward to it 🙂
It’s funny how the seeming simplest things, like just loving and accepting your children like one should, can seem like the bravest most powerful acts.
You are one set of amazing parents. There are many out there who will learn from you in this day and age and I wish you all the success in helping to educate people who are or may have similar experiences or for people who read your story to be able to share it with someone who may have not yet read it. Kudos and Contratulations!
Lori/CJ’s Mom – I don’t comment a lot, but I look forward to reading your blog posts all the time. I want to say thank you – thank you for your blog, for being a fantastic mom to your boys, for teaching me how to be a better mom and a better person. You said you didn’t know if you wanted to be a spokesperson for the cause, but you already are. And not just to the gender nonconforming and LGBTQ kids – you are a spokesperson to many who don’t have a voice. My son is not gender non-conforming or LGBTQ. But he is on the autistic spectrum, and we face many of the same challenges in dealing with acceptance, equality, and rights. We are also on a non-traditional religious path which is also a big no no in our society. Reading your blog, seeing how you deal with it helps me constantly to keep fighting for my son, and for our rights. So, the ripples spread out. Know that you are an inspiration to many and your book will inspire even more people, not only those who are fighting, but those who need to open their eyes and understand, and accept. Thank you and I look forward to buying your book when it comes out.
Lori/CJ’s mom – I don’t comment often on your posts – but I look forward to them always. And I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for your blog, for your dedication to your kids, for helping me be a better parent, and a better person. I have learned and grown through your blog even though my son is not gender non-conforming. You have taught me so much, My son is on the autistic spectrum, and you have shown me so much in dealing with him, and with others who don’t understand I wish I could give back to you. I look forward to getting your book when it comes out. You had said it is sad that people are fighting for equal rights in this day and age. But it’s not just a battle for gender nonconforming and LGBTQ people. There are others out there fighting for their rights too. You are not just a fighting this fight for who you think you are. You are showing the way to many about how everyone should be treated – regardless of how different they may be.
Whoops, one more thing (hope I’m not hogging the comments too much)
Here are videos of men in kilts square dancing:
(Searching for “kilts” gets many good results at both youtube and flickr!)
Hi CJ’s mom (Lori), This comment has nothing to do with the post I’m adding it to — other than that today is the day that I looked up this stuff that I wanted to send you to share with CJ, because I think he would so enjoy it. And, since I think some of your other readers may also enjoy, I thought I’d put this in comments instead of emailing you.
So…. here are some FLICKR groups that I think CJ would enjoy. If you don’t know FLICKR, you are missing out — but you’ll see what it is all about from these examples. (If you make an account you can also save a list of groups you like.)
Hair extensions
Very long hair
pink flowers
pink and green
Hair braids
Nail art (super fancy nails)
Dudes with nail polish (I didn’t name it — photos of “masculine looking guys with painted nails”)
Toes with nail polish (first page is fingernails, scroll down for toe nails. Group is supposed to be for toe nail photos.)
Men with nail polish on toes weathering women’s sandals (Some great pics — I think CJ will LOVE this one — some very fancy shoes!)
“sissy salon” (sorry, I didn’t name this, it is photos of men and boys in dresses and frills — includes some underwear photos)
cross dressing (photos of men in dresses…. – WARNING some nudity)
Boy meets curl (men with hair in curlers and/or feminine hair)
Men with long hair (OMG — some really amazing photos here!)
I looked for stuff like “boys in skirts” and really didn’t find what I was looking for. I did find a couple of groups with ADULT men in dresses / nail polish / etc (above) — but really struck out on young kids. I’m a little surprised.
Also, you can search for additional groups. For example there are ZILLIONS of photo groups about nail polish, such as one for only GREEN nail polish…….. another just for PURPLE nail polish…. it goes on and on
I was trying to resist posting links to individual photos, but this one is JUST TOO AMAZING, check it out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25697729@N08/8237391279/in/pool-11576123@N00/
Enjoy!
Well, I just pre-ordered 2 copies. One for me and one for my little bookstore in the middle of nowhere Missouri. (I’ll try to always keep a copy in stock. And that’s saying something because we deal primarily in used books, so new ones are rare for us to have.)
I want to do what I can to help you and yours out.
You have entertained me and, at times, brought me to tears (good and sad ones) so many times over the last couple of years that this is the least I can do.
Hmmmm I’m in the US when this comes out… may have to pick it up whilst I’m there 🙂
Lori, you’re an inspiration to all of us who want to enter the realm of parenthood and a welcome refreshing change to those of us who have never fitted within gender binaries and always wanted our biological family to accept that. Good luck with the book and of course, I’ll still be checking weekly for updates 🙂
I am so proud to say I electronically know you! That counts right!!! Because I want to know you in real life so bad!
You are courageous and smart and at the heart of it all a mama who loves her sons. As Auntie Mip to a boy who dove elbow deep into his sister’s dress up box and came out with opera length gloves and a feather boa, I applaud all you have done for this civil rights movement!
We shall overcome!!!
Congratulations Lori! I’ve been following your blog from the very beginning and couldnt be happier for you. Hope this opportunity gives you yet another outlet to make this world a better place.
good luck and congratulations! it’a great great news!
congratulations! I think that’s amazing. You have a fantastic ‘voice’ so I’m sure the book will be a big hit!! I look forward to seeing it when it comes out.
Congratulations, Lori!! This is such terrific news! Your compassionate and thoughtful blog voice has already done so much to make more space for our sparkly little guys, and I know that your book will help open even more hearts and minds. I can’t wait to read it and share it with everyone I know. Woot!
You are my hero! I hope if I ever become a mother I handle all the troubles of it with as much strength and dignity as you do. You are taking a stand, and I really, really admire that. I can’t wait for your book!
Atta girl! Congratulations and may only wonderful, happy, loving responses come from the publication of your book!
You are braver than me, I still hide a huge part of my “past life” in order to protect my son. I would love to have photos of him as a child in my house but do not want to answer questions about “the cute little girl” in the picture. My son now lives 4500 miles away I miss him every day & being able to look at his photos would be a great comfort to me but I am afraid of the questions. Maybe your book will help me become stronger!
that is really sad to me Katie. I think what I’ve gained from this blog, as well as other readings, is that every person on this planet has the one inalienable right to be happy in what they choose to be, do or express, and that everyone has the right to be loved and accepted unconditionally for only one reason-that they have lived.
Thank you!
You are an amazing mom. Good luck with your book, the world will be a better place because of people like you.
I look forward to reading your book! Thanks for writing it, and for this blog; reading this blog has helped me to become more aware/challenge the gender norms and stereotypes I hold in my own head. I am gay, came from a family that didn’t follow strict gender roles, and consider myself pretty openminded, so I have been surprised at how often thoughts/comments pop up, especially concerning my young nieces and nephews. But being aware means I can change my behavior, so I am working on it!
My wife and I both read your blog, and reading your blog often leads us to have heartfelt , in-depth discussions about teaching (both have worked in schools), parenting (future!), and just being human. Thank you for helping to make me a better person.
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Bravo Lori! Through your blog and your future book, you are changing the world for the better. Peace.
Fantastic news! I always pray that people who have something positive to say will be heard, and this is definitely an answer to that prayer.
I’ll be first in line to buy it for myself and as gifts for friends.
I hope this sells a brazillion copies! Will it be available as an e-book? Sorry if that questions was already asked. Congrats!
Congratulations! Your family has been an inspiration and though my daughter is gender conforming, you helped me do a lot of self-examination and opened my eyes to a challenge I’d never considered before. All the best to you and yours!
Congratulations on the book. Your blog is already so helpful to many as a resource; thank you for making the hard decision to sacrifice your anonymity to help that many more. You and you family continue to be an inspiration.
I am so excited for you! I can not wait to read your book! Thank you for choosing to put yourself and your family out there.
Congrats, you and your family deserve the best!
This is wonderful news. Thank you for sharing your story, and for your courage and insight as well as dedication to making things better. Congratulations and good luck! We’ll all be along with you!
Congratulations! I can’t wait until we can buy the book! As always, I’ll be donating a copy or two to my neighborhood library.
Congratulations! I am fairly new to your Blog but I adore the way you write with so much love about your son. I can only imagine the torture of knowing the reality of the ignorance that exists within our unaccepting and bigoted world and wondering everyday how to shield your son from it. Your son is a very lucky child and with you as his advocate will grow to be resilient and proud of himself.
This is great news…your blog has been prime reading for this old fart of a teacher in Thailand (American)… you are the parents that all kids need…not just gender-nonconforming, gender conforming or genderless…all kids. Your insights have informed my own observations and knowledge of the special kids in my classes… and I was one of the special ones many years ago.
The book will be a success, life will be easier and harder and CJ and his brother, you and your loving husband will be the change that the great Mahatma talked of.
Thank you all
Andy in Thailand
Congratulations! I look forward to reading it – I’m not a parent, but you remain a great inspiration to me for when we do start trying for kids. Raising any child has its complications, and I hope that I can raise my future children with the same degree of care, and understanding that you do with your two.
Good luck for the future! xxxx
Congratulations! I look forward to buying and reading your book. I love your blog and tales of CJ’s family.
Go you! Much love.
Oh, wow, this is fantastic. Congratulations!
I love you, Lori Duron, and your amazing family & everything you have taught me. Can’t wait to see the book come out!
Big congratulations! Can’t wait to buy a copy of your book!
Added it to my Amazon cart. I can’t wait until September!
Added your book to my Amazon shopping cart — looking forward to September when I can actually buy it!
I like that your photos do not have any identifying features because this can be anybody’s child. So we’ve got a name, and that’s enough. I’ve got what I think is your “voice” when I read the posts. It will be interesting to see how it matches up to your real voice once you start doing interviews. 🙂 Blessings to you and your family. Keep that message of open-mindedness and non-judgement up. xo
Wow, Congratulations! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of your book!
As a future pastor in the church, I’m overjoyed at this knowledge! I feel that the way you write is inviting and incredibly informative for anyone, whether they have gender non-conforming children or are just interested in learning more about others. I might have to buy a few copies so I can share some as the need arises or curiosity is piqued in others. Thank you for your blog, your upcoming book, your love of your family, and your overall amazing and courageous self!
Peace,
Paul
I am really excited to hear this! I use your blog as a teaching tool in my sociology courses. Your writing has done so much to help me educate many students about gender creativity. Congrats!!
FANTASTIC!
Will definitely buy your book. Good luck!
Hi Lori! Nice to learn your real name! I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now but I almost never leave a comment, but today I wanted to say congrats on your beautiful family and on your book! It’s been a pleasure reading you for all those months and I can’t wait to read your book. You’re such a great writer and an even better mom!
What a gift to all the CJ’s of the world.
Truely I think the issues you address are unique….. and are issues many of us need help with.
May your voice reach many people – including parents and teachers and babysitters and big brothers.
May pink and nail polish be safely celebrated by little boys across the world.
May the book inspire LGBTQAI organizations across the land to broaden their reach and find new ways to be in dialog with those who would bully and demean us.
I hope that in 10 or 20 years, as they look back, your boys will think of the many people the book has helped, and be pleased as punch.
I think y’all know that if you can help just ONE child have more acceptance, it is huge. And I have no doubt that your support of CJ will and does inspire other adults to support gender creative kids.
May support of gender creative kids spread. And may the knowledge of HOW to support them spread and grow and become commonplace.
I bet your family will make a ton of friends, too!
I am so happy and I will most definitely get the book and share it with others. Your blog has meant a lot to me over the last year as my husband and I grapple with issues of having a son in kindergarten that does not conform to the gender norms (- a Monster High, Barbie, fairy-loving- American Girl Doll obsessed child). I know you are strong and have had the courage to stand up for your son and brother in times and places when I wonder if I would have had the same courage and strength; but I am still so worried about you as you become a public persona. I am worried that the book will get talked about and criticized and therefore you, and the decisions you have made as a parent will be talked about and criticized. I am so glad you wrote it, but I can’t help but worry for you as this all goes down – or comes out..! I hope you still do blog often, and get some positive feedback from your many fans here. Much love to your whole family!
You are amazing and I cannot wait to buy your book. In bulk. Because I plan on shamelessly pushing your endless love and acceptance propaganda onto everyone I know. These will make for perfect gifts to all my friends who still struggle with their sexuality and for all their parents. And for my mom who never batted an eyelash, no matter what sex, gender or color person I chose to date – I really want her to know she’s not alone and what a great supportive thing that was to do. Can’t wait for your book. Many congrats. This is great news.
Congratulations Lori on the courage to come out and take personal risks for the sake of educating the many! Best of luck with your book launch.
Blessings!
Thank you! I have a gender creative daughter and the more we can do to create a world of tolerance the better. Congratulations!
Thank you so much. I have shared your writings exactly as you described. A book will be an amazing resource for families who discover they have gender non-conforming children.
Reblogged this on kylerandlife and commented:
I can’t wait to read this book! This woman is a role model for any parents of LGBTQQIAA or nonconforming kids, AKA children who are different and amazing.
Congrats!! This is awesome! I cannot wait to read it!
Congratulations on the book. I believe in my heart that it will prove to be such a blessing to others, a needed educational tool for the world, and a treasure to share. I hope one day to be in line for an autograph. While I know that your family all have real names to accompany the real life that you so bravely and honestly share with the readers of your blog, to me, you will always be CJ’s Mom. The adventures will continue with CJ, CJ’s Dad, CJ’s brother, Uncle Uncle and the rest of the family, just as they do now, and the names of the characters that I have grown to love and respect will remain the same. Bravo CJ’s Mom, and job well done!
Congratulations and best wishes! I cannot wait to read it.
I’m very excited to finally have a paper copy of your story I can hand my friends to explain why I’m crying into my cell phone after reading one of your new blog posts… Having a paper book will make this process much easier!
I’ve been watching your blog for quite some time, but have never commented – but I’m so happy for you and our family and I hope your story, through wider distribution, will help more people. I’ve pre-ordered five copies on Amazon (and if you’d prefer we buy copies elsewhere, where you or your family might get more reimbursement, I’m sure most of us would certainly do so – just let us know!) for my friends and plan to make sure all of the local schools and libraries have copies as well… Congratulations!
BIG BIG BIG congrats on your book (and your coming out, of course)! Big choices, and one that will impact the world for the better. Your boys will learn a lot from your courage, as will so many other families. This will certainly be added to my recommended books for clients. Can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations Lori, on your courageous choices! And thank you for your dedication to assure basic civil rights for CJ, your brother, and all of us who are not allowed safety, equality, and equal legal status because we may not marry the person we love. I eagerly await the posts about the next part of this adventure.
You have been a huge inspiration to me, and I have followed your blog for months. I am really looking forward to the book, you are an amazing mum, and huge source of inspiration and comfort. Thank you!
Dear Lori ,You just have to do this great and wonderful thing… The world needs you,,,,more than you know…Congratulations…
Good luck to you, Lori, in the release of your book. I can hardly wait to read it. Your blog, sharing your experiences and your family’s life with me, has made me a better teacher. I believe that the changes in my classroom are helping children to become more accepting of differences in others. I hope that they carry that with them in the years to come. Thank your for your courage and for teaching me things I never even knew I needed to learn.
congrats, its still mind boggling to think that we have come this far in such a short time. i am 62 years of age and to see sooooo many positive things for all LGBTQ people is beautiful and heartwarming. i have enjoyed reading your blog for a couple of years now and know that your book will be as interesting and funny and informative as your blog has been. the best to C.J and his older brother and to their wonnerful and loving parents and family.
Wonderful news! I eagerly await it’s release 🙂
Awesome! What a wonderful resource and inspiration you are and will continue to be for so many! Well done, you!
You’re a wonderfully brave woman to open yourself so completely to the world. You and your family.
You are a natural writer and I’ve hoped for a long time that this would lead to a book. Congratulations!! I cannot wait to read it. If anyone can open people’s hearts a little more, you can with your words and CJ can with his amazing smile. Now I’m hoping for the move…..
Thank you from the parent of a gender creative 5 year old. I also “want my son to be treated like a human being”. Thanks for helping make the world a better place for my child. I am preordering several copies of your book from amazon cause i already know i love your writing!
WOOHOO, as an individual who identifies as non-binary (among other identifications) I am thrilled you and your family made the tough decision to bring your family into a more public light.
“Coincidentally”, your book comes out very close to me getting some school money so you bet I’ll be buying it. I’m presuming that it’s more of a “memoir” and less of a “how-to”, or is it none and all of the above at the same time? (I personally like this last one.)
Fabulous! Keep up the great work … I hope this venture works out for you and your family – I’m sure it will … it’s certainly helping the plight of trans and gender non-conformity, and the world will become a better place for it. Thank you!
Like everyone else, congratulations for taking this step. I agree that god makes no accidents, and you are part of the plan to show the world about another perfect creation of His or Her’s making. It’s all meant to be.
You will no doubt in all probability be hounded on both sides of the issue, based on stories like jenna Lyons and Storm, the child of unannounced sex and their siblings, but fear not, stand tall and with confidence that you’ve thought long and hard about this, and you know in your heart it’s not only the right thing, but part of the reason you were placed here, at this particular moment. God-speed, CJ’s mom and family. You all have lots of friends.
Such exciting news! Congrats!
I look forward to buying it!
…assuming it’ll be available in Australia? Or on Amazon?
Don’t worry – found it! 🙂
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/221727/raising-my-rainbow-by-lori-duron
I will definitely be buying your book! Congratulations and thank you for being such a warm open family. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
I am so excited for the book to come out. I plan on buying several to give out to my extended family and to the teachers I know. So happy for you . Keep up the amazing writings!! You are truly and inspiration.
Bravo!!! That’s one book I will buy and savor. 🙂
I am so excited to get this book, hoping its Available in the UK, if not I shall get it imported, that’s for sure!! CONGRATULATION CJ’S MOM
This is awesome! I am really proud of you and for you—congratulations!
You have my support!!
I can’t wait to buy your book! This is so awesome! Congratulations!
Exciting exciting exciting!! I will buy it definitely. Please let me know the best way (for you financially) for me to do so. Whoop whoop! *happy sparkly dance*
Thank you Lori for being the wonderful person and loving mother that you are. C.J. is so lucky to have you and his father and brother in his life. Too many children are cast off and end up in bad situations and worse. C.J. will never have that problem. I look forward to the book and plan to add it to our local GLBT Center’s library.
Congratulations and much love. I will buy five copies and donate four of them to people who couldn’t otherwise get one.
congratulations and very well deserved!!!!! I look forward to buying and reading 😉
Congratulations. I hope your book will sell well and that people will become more understanding after reading it. You’re doing a great job raising your kids. Keep it up!
I’ve been following your blog for almost two year now, and I’d like to say that I am really happy for you, and your family. I know it’s a big sacrifice, but you’ll be helping a lot of families!
Thank you for being so brave!
(And I’m sorry for my English…)
Congratulations!!! How amazingly exciting (and scary) for you and your family. You go girl!!! I recently found out why I hadn’t hear about any boyfriends in my niece’s life (she’s 20 and in college): I just learned that she has her first love- a girlfriend! Such a cute couple.
A HUGE congratulations to you!! I think you are so brave and wonderful for sharing your story and CJ’s story with the world.
I will so buy your book the minute it is available. I am so excited and proud for you and your family! Your story is too important to live in the “dark”, so I am glad that it will out in the light of day where it belongs! You and your husband might be normal people, but you are two of the exceptionally kind, compassionate, and important ones!
Wow Lori, I’m so happy and proud of you. This is amazeballs. Not only are you the bestest mommy, but now you get to school the masses. Many of those will be ignorant and I’m sure you expect some backlash. You’re right, a civil rights movement in today’s world seems ridiculous but at the same time, it’s an exciting time, you will be amongst the many who are shaping the equality for all movement. CJ is one lucky little boy, not many can have what he has, and that is extremely sad……………I am super happy for you and I hope your book makes the Top Seller’s on its release date.
Be well………….S~
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m buying the book. Congratulations and blessings on this next uncertainty. ~Rev. B.
Like many here, I’m a long time reader, but have commented very infrequently. Just wanted to say congrats on your book and I hope it is warmly received. I’m sure it will be a light in the darkness to many parents out there with gender-creative kids! As a parents of fairly gender-typical kids, I have loved hearing your story and I think it has really helped me to pay more attention to kids out there who may be less typical and need someone to have their backs! I want to be that kind of an ally. Thanks for inspiring me!
Congratulations! And all the best to you and your family…what you have to say and share is so important on soooo many levels. Thank you again for your love of the human race.
Congratulations.
After your blog was freshly pressed I shared it with members of the LGBT Community I thought would appreciate your writings, and also use it to help others with gender non-conforming kids.
I look forward to your book, and I will purchase it as well as let organizations such as Pridelines and Safe Schools be aware of it.
Victor
I’m from the Uk will I be able to buy your book? I’ve never commented on your blog before, but I read it all the time.
Lori….I have been following you for some time through…oh, let’s call her your bff KC 😉 I was so disappointed that we didn’t get to meet CJ on Easter Sunday. You know who was more disappointed? My kiddos. My son is 11, and exemplifies Christ’s love. We read your blog together, and have laughed, cried and prayed for you. Though I cannot relate (my kids are very gender typical) all I can do is promise that beginning with my 2 children I will do everything in my power to help the next generation be one of love and acceptance. I know i am in the Christian minority here, but there are those of us who believe God does not make mistakes, and he made CJ perfect…..No, not just perfect…fabulous.
Honestly….if I take a hard, honest look at myself I don’t know if I would be so accepting if it wasn’t for my time dancing for Disney…it seems that most of the people who hate gays haven’t had their life changed by a gay person. I have and continue to be loved unconditionally by gay friends…but not by all of my straight ones…..
Best of luck crusading for your perfect boy. My hope is that when our kids become adults this conversation will be silly…like blacks and whites getting married 🙂
xoxo
Thank you Lori for sharing your family’s journey with the rest of the world.
For the children to come, who don’t fit into the square boxes that society expects, I thank you. I was one of those children and not having the understanding parents CJ has affected my whole life. I hope the book goes well. I look forward to reading
Yay!!!! I cannot WAIT to get my hands on a copy. Congratulations!!
Just added it to my amazon wishlist 🙂
Thrilled for you as you embark on another amazing journey-as a published author! Just pre-ordered my copy on Amazon! 🙂
Thank you C.J’s mom. I am proud of you and appreciate the courage and love it took for you to create this very important book! May it help many learn to be understanding and loving. I look forward to purchasing the book.
Congrats, such wonderful news! Keep up the great work you are doing, I love reading about CJ!
I have been reading this blog for a couple of years and I really enjoy following CJ’s saga and the amazing job you and his father are doing raising him to be himself. I will totally share this book with my friends as I am sure it will be as eye opening, heartwarming and delightful as the blog has been. Rock on, Lori CJ’s Mom!
Beautiful. Sic ’em Lori, Go get ’em CJ’s Mom. Let the world know you got something to say and they need to listen.
Although I only know you through your blog (as opposed to organically) I feel as though I’ve gone through this journey with you. I think your book will be marvelous and I’m looking forward to September!
WOW! I am so proud of you as a parent, blogger and now… AUTHOR! Congratulations to you for being the most awesome Mom, Family and of course CJ you beautiful authentic angel. You are all helping so mane people with your honesty and love. Now to get it on the NY Times Best Seller List. Woot! Woot!
I will definitely be buying this as I did not get the chance to follow you from the beginning of your journey. I was wondering if you could take a look at my first eBook, it’s the first in a series. Blogging has definitely opened up a lot of new adventures for everyone. http://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Young-Life-Princesses-ebook/dp/B00C1EY7MK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365535364&sr=8-1&keywords=Becoming+a+young+mum
I am proud of you and the whole family. I may not know you in person, but I can’t WAIT to buy your book and read it! Your blog has helped me, too! Congrats on your publication – I can’t wait to tell everyone about your book!
Awesome news! Congratulations! Can’t wait to read it.
Ooh, a book! That’s fantastic: I’ll definitely buy it! I want to read it, obviously, but even more importantly I want to have it around just in case someone I know needs to read it too. It’ll be great to lend to those people to whom it may be relevant.
Yes please do keep us updated on books news! And more blogging would be fantastic too (well, duh).
I’m very excited about the book news! That’s just wonderful! Thank you so much.
I continue to be impressed and amazed at you and your family! I have laughed with you, cried with you, been angry for you…….I so love you and CJ and all of your family! If you are ever in the Santa Barbara area – I would love an opportunity to meet you all!! I look forward to being able to buy your book – and seeing all the updates and being able to be a small part of your amazing family via the blogosphere – I am blessed………
Nice to meet you Lori! Thank you for taking time to email me back long ago. I love this blog. Thank you, thank you, for writing this blog!
In a word. Or two
*Fu**in A”
I may not be gender non conforming. But I’m by no means a boys boy nor was I ever. I’ve silently been reading your blog for ages.
I wish I woulda had a mom like you when I was a wee lil one!! I’m almost 30 and for the first time the other day my mom saw me kiss my BF and I felt like it was earth shattering.
You rock. Simply rock.
Well done. I don’t have children yet, but my husband and I are planning to start a family soon, and I love what you point out about expectations. I love your blog and congratulations on your book!
Dear Lori,
Thank you 🙂
From Helen in South Africa
I’ve only been following Raising My Rainbow for a few months, but I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the book this fall! Congratulations!
Congrats!! I can’t wait to buy multiple copies of the book for all my friends and family raising young kids of their own. (Fwiw, I love the pseudonyms and hope you keep using them!) Best wishes for ALL you and your family’s future endeavors. You certainly deserve all the happiness you and your blog are bringing to others around the globe. Mazel Tov!!
How wonderful! Thank you, Lori, and Matt and the boys, for being so brave and willing to share your journey. I just preordered the Kindle version of your book, so I’m already looking forward to waking up Sept. 3 and turning on my Kindle and finding it waiting there for me! You have done so much more than you will ever realize to help people grow and learn, all just by sharing your life. I know the book is going to be a huge success!
Congratulations and also, thank you! As for names to use on your blog, can I just say that I would be terribly confused by given names at this point. Plus, I love the nicknames like Uncle Uncle! But maybe you could post a score card with names and nicknames…heh
Congratulations! It has taken immense courage on your part, and it will continue to take even more courage on everyone else’s part to move our society to equality and justice for all! I admire you!
Congratulations!!! You blog certainly is an inspiration and I have enjoyed ready every single post. I will certainly be reading your book when it comes out!
EEEEEEE!!!! We love you all, and are thrilled to hear this :-). Sending a ton of love from down the street :-). Xoxoxo!!!
What an amazing opportunity! Congratulations and kudos to you and the whole family for embarking on such an endeavor. A friend of mine started the first gay-straight alliance club at the local college and has been adamant about the inclusion of transgender issues in the program. I will personally make sure they have a copy of your book when it’s released!
This is how change happens. Your courage, insight, and love are going to make a huge difference to a lot of people. I don’t know you, but I do love you.
Yay Lori! Can’t wait to get a copy.
Congratulations!! I’m so thrilled for you & can hardly wait for September too!
Best, Michele (Graham’s mom)
I’m so proud of you. I just pre-ordered a copy for $10.20 at Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Lori+duron.
This great news! It seems that a number of bloggers end up publishing books after starting out with a blog. Yours will be so much more than many of those entertaining books. This book has the potential to help change the world, and it will definitely change many small people’s worlds. Thank you to you and your family for your generosity, your vulnerability in doing this and your willingness to share. You are good people.
You have been an inspiration to many people and now you are taking it to the next step – congratulations! As someone who lived through some very dark days for our community, I take great comfort for the future with people like you, C.J. and Uncle Uncle in the world and making a difference!
Good for you! I hope and wish the next step in your journey is as rewarding as the first! Go get em! As a mother to my own CJ, I am rooting for you in a huge way!
Wow, this is such exciting news and I can’t wait to Buy Your Book!! I personally am a conservative, but I believe in Commitments – no matter the sex of the couple. Reading your blog has helped me to refine my position and define my belief in gender equality. I truly believe that education and the ability to personally influence others will go a long way to change the climate of our culture.
Congratulations!! I’ll be spreading the word, for sure!
I AM so over the moon about your decision…. and when I read the comment today about sometimes you do not get what you expected it reminded me of the night I listened to a speech a friend made at a conference we were attending regarding our special needs children…. she said its like planning a trip when you expect to arrive in Italy and after all of the planning, packing and travel plans only to arrive in Norway… Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with Norway but its not what you’d expected and perhaps once getting over the shock, surprise and perhaps momentary disappointment: You might just find: NORWAY WAS MORE THAN YOU COULD HAVE IMAGINED!!!!
So looking forward to your book I think the world not only needs it ~ but I think the world is finally READY!!!!!! SO pleased for you all and those of us whose Lives you touch via your blog and now your book!
The speech you’re referencing is indeed beautiful. Your friend got it from the original 1987 work Welcome to Holland, which you can see in its entirety here: http://www.our-kids.org/Archives/Holland.html
Congratulations, CJ’s Mom / Lori! This will be a huge value to so many people. I imagine the book as a wonderful gift for people who are new to having a gender creative kid in their lives.
I will pre-order as soon as it is an option! I will buy it in real world, paper book style so I can share it with everyone who will listen to me when I ramble on about it!!
Hi Lori! Nice to have a name to go with the writing. But, even better, congratulations on your book!
Congratulations! Your love for your children is something to emulate.
So exciting! I hope that people use your book as a source of inspiration on a subject that is only just starting to come to light.
I’m eagerly waiting to get my copy of this book! Thank you so much for sharing your story!
-Connie
Congratulations! What fantastic news – I can’t think of a more worthy blogger (or message)!
I’m so looking forward to reading your book! Congrats and keep up the amazing work you are doing
I’m so glad and excited to hear about this. I look forward to hearing more about the book and to reading it. I think you and your family are pretty darn awesome and I respect what you’re doing. Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Though I do not have kids and likely never will, I fully support dropping expectations and treating all people with compassion and as equals.
I follow your blog for over a year, from Brazil. As soon as your book comes out on Kindle, I’ll be buying it. More people need to know about gender non-conforming. I tell people about your blog all the time.
I am so happy for you. I do hope you keep writing here, and doing what you do here. This is important and healing for me. As a sissy boy who is now a man, I appreciate your love and support of CJ. Congrats and keep on changing the world Lori no matter what “moniker” you are and always will be CJ’s Mom
Awesome! Can’t wait to read it. We need more more more out there for people to try to understand our kids!
I am excited for you! And really looking forward to buying/reading your book when it does come out. I don’t have any children of my own, but I am a teacher. I also know some transgender people (both male and female), so I enjoy reading your blog and learning from your journey. Thanks for sharing your family with your readers!
So excited for you! I eagerly await the book, and I think it will reach even more audiences than your wonderful blog already does. Thanks for allowing us all to be a part of your and your family’s great journey.
Congratulations!!!!! This will be another inspirational piece of literature for the LGBTQ community!
I will buy a copy if I can somehow find the money.