I’m tired.
On Wednesday morning, I appeared on Fox’s Good Day L.A., the top local morning show in Southern California. Here’s my interview. Please take a moment to admire my shoes, which were C.J.-picked-and-approved.
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My Good Day L.A. appearance came on the heels of a five-day-long trip to Atlanta to present at the Salon LGBTQ Conference — the first national LGBTQ social media conference.
I had a special travel buddy with me on this trip. I took C.J. and he got some quality playtime with his BFF Twirl, who is the son of fellow Salon LGBTQ panelist Kelly who blogs at It’s a Bold Life.
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Next up on my appearance schedule is Palm Springs Pride. Who’s going? I’ll be in the Author’s Village on Sunday, November 3, at 1 p.m., to talk about my family’s experiences and sign books.
It’s my first Palm Springs Pride and only my second pride ever….so stop by and make me feel welcome. My brother has informed me that many people may not be sober at 1 p.m. on Sunday. That’s okay, you can stop by and say “hi” even if you are under the influence. Just promise not to puke or otherwise soil me in any way.
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A reader sent me the link to an article about “New York-based photographer Leland Bobbé, (who) has put together a fascinating series of portraits that examine the idea of gender fluidity by showing New York City drag queens in half-drag.”
C.J. has asked to look the photos every night before bed. He is completely enthralled. He looks at each picture as a whole, then takes a piece of paper and covers up the queen side to see the man side first. Then, he slides the paper to cover the man side and stare at the queen side. Then, he looks at the photo as a whole again. He notices all of the detail….and he wants colored contact lenses for Christmas.
“With these images my intention is to capture both the male and the alter ego female side of these subjects in one image in order to explore the cross over between males and females and to break down the physical barriers that separate them.
This in turn questions the normative ideas about gender and gender fluidity. Through the power of hair and makeup these men are able to completely transform themselves and find their female side while showing their male side simultaneously. These are composed in camera and are not two separate images digitally composed.” — Leland Bobbé
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This week Mamalode published a BEAUTIFUL piece written by a mother of a gender nonconforming girl. Read it. I mean it.
“My feral girl steps across gender lines and has become to me her own species. Out on our farm in summer, she runs shirtless in little boy boxer briefs, climbs to the top of our rusty swing set and, to me, she is just Eliza. But when I see her in a room full of other six-year-old girls, I realize, again, she’s different. This is no news flash to her. Eliza cultivates this difference without meaning to…”
Read the full piece here: http://mamalode.com/story/detail/half-half
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Raising My Rainbow 
The model in the photo for the drag photo series goes by Miss Fame, and you can find her on Facebook & Instagram. Just thought that if C.J. enjoyed the series, that he might enjoy seeing all of the glamorous things Miss Fame does on a daily basis.
My 1st grade son came home the other day from school informing me that one of his (male) school friends has his own “box full of makeup”! He is soooo jealous. He’ll love the Leland Bobbe photos, too. And I really appreciate the Mamalode article. I’m discovering that finding green for girls is just about as hard as pink for boys (okay, granted, I’ve given up on finding ‘boy’ clothes for my son anymore).
Will you be at the Palm Springs Pride Festival on Saturday also? Are you going to be in the parade? My husband and I just read your book for our book club and really enjoyed it! I am hoping we have the chance to come by and say “Hi”.
CJ nailed it on the shoes, knew he would. I loved hearing that he got a chance to hang out with Twirl again. They just seem like two tiny little kindred spirits.
I really appreciate you speaking out and just sharing your story. I feel like my daughter is still too young to be one or the other, but she gravitates towards trucks and dinosaurs and all things boys. We give her a choice between either ‘gender’ and she tends to go for the ‘boy’ things. I am so glad, as a new mom to only one child, to have a role model in you that I can follow your journey. Punky may grow out of it and she may not, in the end, I want to nurture her and give her a safe place to be just too she is!
Great interview, Lori! Thank you for being a brave parent and standing up for all of us with gender non-conforming kids! Interviews like yours are helping to pave the way for a better future for all our children. Kudos to you.
If CJ likes those photos maybe the two of you will be interested in these? http://www.boredpanda.org/switcharoo-couples-switch-outfits-hana-pesut/
You may have been tired, Lori, but your message of letting each child’s light shine came through loud and clear as always.
A very informative interview Lori! You’re sincerity and articulation enables others to open their minds and quell their fears. This allows them to better understand and accept these gender issues. Time and education are the tools that will make our world a safer and happy place to live!
Excellent shoe choice! 🙂
Hey i dont know if you remember me but i discovered your blog very early … at the very beginning .. im a single gay dad raising 3 incredible boys .. they are now 11 14 17 and they regularly read Raising my Rainbow….they have asked me countless times if they could meet you and CJ and be big brothers to your sweet CJ …. just found out about your book and saw your appearance on the Fox Morning Show … was great to actually see a pic of CJ and see how beautiful you are .. both inside and out …..we are proud of you and your husband and CJ’s older brother…. and love your whole family … UNCLE UNCLE especially … bless you and your family
Great interview! My daughter gets really excited to see you on tv because we met you in person! Thanks for sharing different links; I really enjoy all of your posts! Go team CJ! CJ has great taste in shoes!
The half/half portrait reminded me of a similar photographic series my son did with the drag queens in Wash DC. , half finished, half started., never complete, Find them here in within his BoysBeGood art consortium website
http://www.boysbegood.com/jason-edward-tucker#/i/39