Tell C.J. to draw a cat and this is what you get.
One workshop that I was really looking forward to attending at this summer’s Gender Spectrum conference was titled “Helping Your Gender Variant Child With Teasing” and presented by Darlene Tando, LCSW. Darlene had to cancel her presentation at the last minute due to a family emergency; which left me and many other conference attendees feeling bummed. To make us feel better, Tando outlined and summarized her presentation and posted it here.
Thanks, Darlene! Hope you and your family are okay and that we get to see you next year at Gender Spectrum.
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Twirl, C.J.’s Brother and C.J.
If you read Part I of the adventures of C.J. and his BFF Twirl last month, check out the second and final installment. It features pancakes, a sunny day in Laguna Beach and a teary, hug-filled goodbye. So, basically, you’re not going to want to miss it.
Also, you know how some little boys have a mind for sports stats? Twirl has a mind for all things Project Runway. Hear what he has to say here.
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Last weekend I experienced two big firsts. I attended my first pride and gave my first book reading. Thanks, OC Pride for having me. And, thank you to everybody who came out to support me and get a sneak peek inside my book. The room was packed – which made me feel so humbled and honored.
After the reading, C.J.’s Dad and I experienced our first pride festival. Where he got several looks and waves and I got a new HRC t-shirt.
Pre-order the Raising My Rainbow book!
Raising My Rainbow 
Thank you for sharing, I too am a mother of a gender non conforming 8 year old son. Having been born gay in the 60s, I saw many mistakes my parents made raising me and chose to take another route with my son. good to know there are other parents out there willing to support children and not break them down! thank you
Sorry to tell you but hrc has a history of being unsupportive to the trans* community. They are trying to change their image though…
Alex, thanks for commenting. I have been wrestling with myself as to whether to comment……. HRC has some negative reviews relative to bisexual, and racial issues, as well as trans….. I hope this changes….
Lori, please let us know if you want recommendations for bookstores for readings…. Or whatever else ??
I finally went to my first Pride Parade: the Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade in Israel. FYI, Tel Aviv was voted the most gay-friendly city in the Middle East and that French gay couple who were the first to get married in France went there on their honeymoon. Twirl is so intelligent and articulate; I enjoyed his commentary even though I don’t watch Project Runway. Keep up the good work. May we all find peace in the New Year next month.
Hi
I went to a workshop on Saturday about Suicide in the LGBTI community and why ist so high. It all boiled down to the fact that LGTBI/Queer peeps deal with the same shit as everyone else and coming out. Sometimes coming out is seen as not a big deal, but through our collective experience we know that it is hard, and there is a constant worry that an attack or rejection could happen after you reveal yourself to the people around you.
While talking about ways to imrpove the situation, like having tighter community networks and such, I made it a point to mention people like you (and Amelia, the blogger from the Huffington post). The wonderful blogging Mums and dads whoes children tell them at an early age that they are gay or gender defiant and you resond with ‘okay.’ I think having a generation of straight people who are okay with it (not only okay, but welcoming) and teacher their children (cis, straight and LGBTI) that everything is okay is what is going to change the world!
LOVE that cat! CJ is one talented artist 🙂
I don’t think CJ is going to have a problem with teasing. Differentness is only really a problem when we’re ashamed of it. I was teased while there was speculation over my sexual orientation. Is he this? I think he’s that…
The day I started saying; “yes, I’m gay, and unless you’re also gay and interested in me it doesn’t really matter to you, does it?”— it all stopped.
Reblogged this on schmizo.
Book reading in NYC?? Please!!!