May 08 - G3 Magazine

114
Of all my life experiences so far, the most profound has been that
of parenting my daughter. When I get old and look back on my
life, I know I will also be proud of my professional experiences,
the books I have written, the travels I have taken and the loves
and friendships I have been lucky enough to have had. But I
know that the integrity of my parenting experience and the joy
of watching my daughter bloom and grow into the person she is
meant to become, will be what I feel most strongly about.
But what of the parents for whom the experience of raising a
child is nothing like what they expected it to be? What if their
son’s first words are that he believes he is actually a girl? What if
a teenage daughter suddenly announces that she is to be called
by a male name, and has secretly always identified as a boy?
I don’t have a transgender child, but I have long had empathy
for transgender children and teenagers. Working at Yale University
as the Coordinator of LGBT Studies, I have met many wonderful
young adults who have transitioned before my eyes, and my
friendships with them have made a deep impression on me.
My book, The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families
and Professionals, is just out from Cleis Press in the US. It was a
last word
from Rachel Pepper
collaboration between myself and author/educator Stephanie Brill.
There has never been a book like this one, which explains
gender variant children (for example, young boys who like to
wear dresses, but who may not be actually transgender) and
transgender children (children who know they are not the same
gender as the biological sex they were born) and offers advice
on parenting them. We want all families who are grappling with
this (many of whom are deeply conflicted about allowing their
children to fully express their true gender especially outside the
home) to know they are not alone. And to know that they did
nothing to cause this in their children, and nor can they make
the ‘problem’ or ‘phase’ go away by punitive actions. Instead,
what we urge is understanding, acceptance and love.
Transgender children know who they are. They are often
extremely sensitive, artistic and intelligent children who are
willing to take a stand and show their true selves for the world
to see. By writing this
book, my co-author and
I hope that we will help
people to know that
these children are not to
be scorned, but are
wonderful human
beings who deserve,
as all children do,
unconditional love and
support,
Rachel Pepper is the US-based author of several books including
The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians, and newly released
The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals.
great lesbian inventions!
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A lot of people think that the Mafia
(also known as Cosa Nostra) is a
Sicilian criminal secret society. In
fact, in1922, the mafia was created by
two lesbians in Leyton. Lisa ‘Big Lips’
Linguini, and her partner Donna ‘The
Don’ Diangelo set up business in their
local pub, where they commanded
respect and loyalty from everyone in
London – and eventually the world.
They used terrifying methods of
torture to ensure that everyone let
them play on the pool table whenever
they wanted, even if they didn’t put a
pound on the table’s edge
beforehand. They slowly took over
every drinking establishment and
news publication, as well as secretly
planting members of their gang into
high governmental positions, insisting
they disguised themselves as men.
Even today, if you look closely at
certain figures of authority from the
back, you may well see the betraying
proof of a rather large bra strap under
their shirt. The term ‘sleeping with the
fishes’ has never been so selfexplanatory.
WORDS AND ARTWORK BY LEA ANDREWS