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A message from Dave Parker, TNET President:
During July, you received a request for nominations for the Board of Directors of PFLAG Transgender Network (TNET). As noted there, this is my last term as President - and my last President's Message.
I want to thank all the members of our Board of Directors who have helped us build TNET and share our message with both our PFLAG friends and the entire LGBT community. I feel we have made a real difference. I am sure the new Board will continue to do great things, too.
I especially want to thank Mary Boenke, the founder of TNET, for introducing Joan and I to this community. We have been richly rewarded for our participation - and we are not going away. We will continue to work with the new TNET board, with TransFamily, and with PFLAG. There is still work to be done.
There are some links to great articles this month. I particularly suggest reading Stunning, written by PFLAG's own Steve Ralls, and Affirming Gender Diana Lynn's article about helping your families during transition.
We have two book reports this month. Everyone who deals with a transgender child - of any age - should have a copy of The Transgender Child by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper. I know of no better manual than this for all concerned parents and caregivers.
Dragonfly Stories is an excellent compilation of stories celebrating love in the LGBTQ community. It is all-inclusive, rather than strictly transgender, but the messages apply to all of us. Please note that you can select your favorite charity (PFLAG of course) to receive a portion of the purchase price as a donation.
Sincerely,
Dave Parker
TNET President
PFLAG and the eTransParent newsletter are moving to a new virtual home! And, we need each of you to join PFLAG's new online community, so we don't lose contact with you! Be sure to click here and register if you haven't already done so. You can create a new username and password, and then set your email preferences - and be sure to include the eTransParent!
| TNET Book Review: "The Transgender Child" |
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The Transgender Child
by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper
Cleis Press, June 2008
ISBN 978-1-57344-318-0
This is a wonderful book - I highly recommend it!
The Transgender Child is the first of its kind - a thoughtful manual for parents and caregivers of transgender children, written by one of our country's most respected gender therapists and an experienced researcher and author of books related to the LGBT community. Detailed, up-to-date and easy to read, this book should be the prime resource for parents of transgender children, teens and anyone who deals with them.
The Transgender Child includes a foreword by Dr. Norman Spack, our country's leading expert on the care and treatment of transgender children and youth. It is followed by a series of chapters addressing all aspects of how to deal with the child, their family and friends, their schools, school administrators and staff. Also included are excellent chapters on medical care and legal issues unique to these children.
Everyone who deals with a transgender child should have and read a copy of this book. It is especially valuable when dealing with those unfamiliar with the transgender experience - whether they are family members, neighbors, teachers, or the local Department of Family Services. The Transgender Child adds the authority of leading professionals to any discussion of the child's care and treatment.
Order directly from www.genderspectrum.org $16.95 |
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| TNET Book Review: "Dragonfly Stories" |
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Dragonfly Stories
by J. Cascio, Catherine Brown and Beatrice Gordon
Rainbow Legends, Kearny, MO
I love this book! And that's appropriate. This is a book about love - loving relationships. It is a compilation of stories celebrating love in the LGBTQ community. There are stories of mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, and gay, lesbian, and transgender couples, as told in their own words. Sections include self-love, as well - probably better called self-acceptance and realization. But the highlights for me are in the transgender stories, since they relate directly to my family. One of them expresses the challenge very well: "Eventually, I realized that I needed to decide whither I was in love with the gender or with the person." This is a challenge faced by many LGBTQ families, and each must work it out for themselves.
Several stories deal with overcoming typical obstacles beyond the closet door. Fear of physical threat or violence. Bigotry, especially in the name of religion. Loss of employment, family, and friends. All lead toward a new awareness of self and new opportunities. All show that life can be satisfying and full of love.
Such stories seem to have more impact when they involve people you know. I have been privileged to meet the authors of the book's final story. It is a coming out tale of two lovely people, their growing affection for each other and their resulting relationship. There is truly no end to the wonderful stories of happy, successful, relationships amongst the LGBTQ community, whether as full participants or loving, supportive allies. I look forward to reading more of them.
Available online from Rainbow Legends - www.rainbowlegends.com |
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| Trans Stories in the News... |
Trangender issues and causes are making news all across the country! Here is a selection of recent stories important to our members:
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| Upcoming Events |
Join TNET for these upcoming events!
Presented by Family Equality Council:
Other Upcoming Events...
- Gender Odyssey
August 30 - September 1
Washington State Convention and Trade Center,
Seattle, WA.
- Riverside Pride
September 13
Jeffery Owens Community Center,
Riverside, CA
- Boulder Pride Block Party
September 13
Boulder, CO
- South Carolina Pride
September 20
Harriet Hancock Community Center
Columbia, SC
- Northern CA Conference on Transgender
October 10-11
Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, CA
- Creating Change
January 28 - February 1, 2009
Sheraton Denver Hotel,
Denver, CO
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PFLAG National / TNET
Phone: (202) 467-8180
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