Have to do a little personal crowing . . .

[enlightenment]

My son has been working on his MA project (Applied Anth & Community Art) and is nearing completion.

The project revolves around his work with LGBT - particularly transgender young people - as a community development officer. He has collected drawings, mostly from the kids but some from parents of very young trans* kids, that express how they feel about the future and their place in it. Some are very upbeat, some very sad. Some are very well done, but most are just average . . . but they are all telling a story and they are all telling us how important it is for us all to hold out our hand to help these kids as they navigate the often rocky road to becoming the people they are meant to be.

I'm very happy to see the project nearing fruition - and proud of the spectacular man that I am fortunate enough to be able to call my son.

Perhaps some of you would like to take a look?

http://www.octavianstarr.com/future-matters/

[AuntPatsy]

1. Very interesting, enjoyed the artwork, you should be proud of your son,

[enlightenment]

2. What my son has accomplished

he has done by dint of his own effort. I can't take credit for his accomplishments - but I am proud to know him! Thanks.

[nightscanner59]

3. I wish my ex husband was alive to see this day

We had to live so closeted 20 years ago. Most of our neighbors with obvious homophobic tendencies were led to believe we were cousins. Eldon would be shouting from the rooftops to see LGBT finally gaining acceptance and being allowed to live as something more than second-class citizens. We were, by common law, married. Now, we'd actually be able to file those joint tax returns too.
Exception of his mother, neither of us knew much of unconditional love. Both with a past of running away to San Francisco to live normal lives, but moved away together to start our business.
Even just 5 years ago both I and a transgender colleague were dismissed from our jobs on trumped up bullshit, but everyone there knew it was just plain old-fashioned bigotry from the new management that announced at our first meeting her intent to run our department within her uptight so called "christian" beliefs.
There are those in heaven rejoicing that homophobia, transphobia and just plain all around bigotry are finally getting the bloody nose they've dished to anyone "different" for far too long. I hope, pray and dispense all the psychic energy I can muster that backwards countries and states finally come to the realization that all forms of bigotry are wrong no matter the superstitious justifying they can prop up hatred with.
And all this "religious freedom" to practice bigotry needs to have it's sheep's clothing ripped from it's life-crippling wolf fangs.

[enlightenment]

4. I agree, utterly and absolutely, and

ache for the pain that you and your husband have had to face in your lives. Please accept a virtual hug from me.

My son is trans* but he didn't begin his transition until he was 19. Now, at 35, he is happy, healthy, and whole - and so am I, because my child can live as the person he is in truth. He is an activist and shares his work and life with me. We both get so angry, depressed, and sad over the slow pace of change, and furious with parents who throw their children away like so much garbage because they don't fit their notion of normal.

[uriel1972]

5. Very happy for you and your son...

but a little sad too, knowing how hard it will be for these kids, even if the family is supportive.

[enlightenment]

6. It doesn't have to be that way

and hopefully sooner, rather than later, it will change for the better.