The Dwayne McDuffy Award for Diversity In Comics

I just learned about this award, and am excited to share it here:

"The winner of 3 EISNER AWARDS for his work in comic books, 11 PARENTS’ CHOICE AWARDS, 6 “BEST EDITOR” awards, the 2009 INKPOT AWARD presented by Comic-Con International, and a GOLDEN APPLE AWARD from his alma mater for his “use of popular art to promote and enhance human dignity,” Dwayne McDuffie’s life’s work exemplified both diversity and excellence.

He led by example while presciently stating, “From invisible to inevitable” now the motto of the “Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics.”

At this year's awards...

The 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics honored five finalists following in Dwayne’s footsteps and announced the winner, LEON Protector of the Playground by Jamar Nicholas.

As explained in this post by Heidi MacDonald announcing the nominees, "the award not only honors Dwayne’s memory but spotlights comics work that promotes a diverse view of the world – both behind the page and on it."

An awesome new resource to find lauded, diverse comics!

A Quick And Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns - A queer language reference comic

A Quick And Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns by Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson

Archie, a snarky genderqueer artist, is tired of people not understanding gender neutral pronouns. Tristan, a cisgender dude, is looking for an easy way to introduce gender neutral pronouns to his increasingly diverse workplace. The longtime best friends team up in this short and fun comic guide that explains what pronouns are, why they matter, and how to use them. They also include what to do if you make a mistake, and some tips-and-tricks for those who identify outside of the binary to keep themselves safe in this binary-centric world. A quick and easy resource for people who use they/them pronouns, and people who want to learn more!

This guide is simple and really useful.

Covering how it feels to be misgendered, how we're all going to make mistakes occasionally, and offering some examples of how to integrate this pronoun knowledge into regular life, this guide is a great introduction for cis-gendered folks, and also, I imagine, really affiriming for those who use gender-neutral pronouns, and identify as gender queer, gender fluid, trans, or queer.

Some interior panels, from the review copy supplied to me by Oni Press:

Add your review of "A Quick And Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns" in comments!

"Making Gay History" Podcast - my new podcast obsession

Author and historian Eric Marcus conducted over a hundred audio interviews with key figures in the LGBTQ movement. He used portions of those interviews in his books, and now he's created a podcast series called Making Gay History, where we get to hear these icons in their own voices.

We get to hear Jeanne & her son Morty Manford. Jeanne talks about starting PFLAG, and about what happened when she marched with her gay son in the gay pride parade, holding a sign that proclaimed her love and pride in him.

We get to hear Dr. Evelyn Hooker, telling us about her gay friend Sam, and how Sam urged her to take on the study of healthy gay men that would eventually lead to a complete shift in how being Gay or Lesbian was understood.

We get to hear Sylvia Rivera (the transgender icon) tell us about being at Stonewall.

It's a treasure trove! We're only six episodes in and I'm already obsessed with how amazing it is to hear these people speak through time.

Go listen - Eric and his team have done a great job with this podcast!

"It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health" For Ages 10 and Up - an excellent resource for ages 10 and up

"It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health" by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley


I checked out this "New Edition: 20th Anniversary" from the library because the book was among the top 10 most challenged books in 2014 in the USA, as cited by the American Library Association's Banned Books Week.

While I wish there was more acknowledgement of gender variety (the presentation of gender is very binary, "Gender is another word for whether a person is male or female.") I applaud the clear, non-judgmental approach, especially in the "Who You Are: Straight, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender" chapter on pages 8-11.

Chapters (about four or so pages each) cover a wide range of topics, including sexual desire, sexual intercourse, puberty, masturbation, genes and chromosomes, the many ways to have a baby and family, birth control, abortion, cyber safety, sexual abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and making responsible choices.

Throughout are illustrations of three kinds. The first are a cartoon bird and bee character who banter and comment on the content, the bird more interested, the bee more reluctant to talk about sex. It's a touch of humor that is reassuringly there across some difficult topics. The second kind of illustration is frank and very diverse watercolor and pencil drawings of people: young, old, gay, straight, asian, black, white, latino/a, abled, disabled, thin, fat, tall, short, naked and clothed... The third are cartoon pages that reinforce and re-state the text's explanation of topics like puberty for boys and girls and "The Further Adventures of the Egg and Sperm: Pregnancy."

As author Robie H. Harris (a parent herself) explained, she wrote the book because she realized,

"How difficult but necessary it is to talk with children and teenagers about sex and answer questions about this complicated topic. I wanted my kids to stay healthy, so I had to give them accurate information."

I think that is absolutely true. And as a parent of a pre-teen myself, I just ordered a copy from our local indie bookstore to give them, so we can read and discuss together.

Add your review of "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health" in comments!

College Guide For Current and Prospective LGBT Students - a web resource

This College Guide For Current and Prospective LGBT Students seems like a good place to start, with a lot of good links (especially their scholarship section. Besides the Point Foundation, these were all new to me.)

If it seems useful to you, check it out.

Resources If You Were At My #CASC15 Session "Interventions for LGBTQ Youth" (and even if you weren't!)

I want to thank my co-presenter at this weekend's California Association of School Counselors 2015 Conference, Palisades Charter High School Counselor Jill Barker, and the more than 60 school counselors from all over California who attended and participated with so much engagement and good energy!

Again, my apologies for not having enough handouts to go around, but the reason for the problem (more counselors than we expected showing up who wanted to learn how to better help and support the LGBTQ youth in their schools) was wonderful!

As to the two handouts, 

here's a link to the Gender Unicorn.

For the Shakespeare and Sappho handout, just pop me a quick email at leewind (at) roadrunner (dot) com and I'll send you that pdf. (Or, leave your email address in the comments section, below.)

The resources Jill, myself and your fellow counselors shared:

The article by Mitali Perkins discussing how books can be mirrors and doors is here.

And here's the wonderful piece by Lisa Egan that I read the first part of, I'm Not A "Person With A Disability": I'm a Disabled Person, that discusses the social model of disability.

The American Library Association's Rainbow List website, listing the best books each year for kids and teens with LGBTQ characters and themes is here.

And the handful of books I brought to illustrate the power of books to spark conversations and be those mirrors and doors were:

Board Book:

Mommy, Mama, and Me
by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Carol Thompson
(An essential, simple board book - there's also a Daddy, Papa and Me one.)

Picture Books:

And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, illustrated by Henry Cole
(This is the book that's been in the top 10 of the most challenged books in American for years and years!)

This Day In June
by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
(A Pride parade book with an extensive readers guide, won the ALA's 2015 Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award!)

Snutt the Ift 
by Helen Ward
This is the Intergalactic, Gender-Free Love Story, and it's the one published by Little Pickle Press, where I now work!

Middle Grade Books:

Drama
by Raina Telgemeier
(A graphic novel, super-sweet)

Better Nate Than Ever
by Tim Federle
(Funny and brave and VERY Broadway)

Young Adult (older-skewing)

Tricks
by Ellen Hopkins
Tough-hitting novel in verse, brilliant.

I'll Give You The Sun
by Jandy Nelson
Gorgeous writing and twins (one gay, one not) struggling to deal with grief and life and... they'll stay with you long after you've read it!


Organizations mentioned that offer additional great resources and opportunities to engage with young people about LGBTQ equality to help shift the culture at your school:

GLSEN - The Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network

GSA Network - The Gay-Straight Alliance Network (with a lot of resources and advice on starting a GSA at your school)

PFLAG - Parents, Families and Friends and Allies United with LGBTQ People to move equality forward!

Trans Student Educational Resources

Genderfork

No Name-Calling Week

National Coming Out Day - October 11

Ally Week 

Day of Silence

Harvey Milk Day here in California

The Trevor Project and their TrevorSpace online community for young people. They also have a crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ Youth: 866-488-7386

GSA Monday posts here at this blog with conversation prompts (including some curated youtube videos that are really thought-provoking and/or just amazing!)

LGBTQ Pride Month is June

October is LGBTQ History Month

While compiling this list, I realized there were three organizations that didn't get mentioned but that are well-worth checking out:

The Human Rights Campaign,

Gender Spectrum

and

Trans Youth Family Allies.


There it is! Glad you stopped by, and if you have any further questions, email me or leave a comment.

Thanks again!
Lee

This Is A Book For Parents Of Gay Kids - A New Resource

This Is A Book For Parents Of Gay Kids: A Question & Answer Guide To Everyday Life by Dannielle Owens-Reid and Kristin Russo

From the authors (and lip-syncers!) behind the everyoneisgay.com blog (and advice videos), this book aims to be a

"go-to resource for fostering understanding and effective communication during an unfamiliar time. Filled with real-life experiences, first-hand stories from parents and kids, and straightforward advice, all presented in an easy-to-browse-question-and-answer format, this book breaks down the issues that many families face when their child comes out."

Here's the book trailer:



I'll share one glowing review that really stood out for me: Jody Huckaby, executive director, PFLAG National, wrote:

"In our forty-plus years of work with parents, families, friends and allies, PFLAG has seen how critical family acceptance is to the health and well-being of their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender loved ones. This book, focused mainly on sexual orientation, is a great companion to PFLAG's work, providing parents information on how to best support a loved one in a manner that is sometimes funny, often frank, and always easy to access."

Add your review of "This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids" in comments!

Two Spirits, One Heart: A Mother's Day Gift For Us All

Mother's Day is Sunday, so this is the perfect time to share about:

Two Spirits, One Heart by Marsha Aizumi with Aiden Aizumi

Mother, educator, and LGBT activist Marsha Aizumi shares her story of parenting a young woman who came out as a lesbian, then transitioned to male. Marsha's personal journey was from fear, uncertainty, and sadness to eventual unconditional love, acceptance, and support of her child who struggled to reconcile his gender identity.

Two quotes from Marsha's introduction in the book need to be shared:

"May the thoughts I am sharing encourage you to continue to love your child no matter what and may this book serve to inspire you to release the fear and embrace the love you have for your child."

and

"This journey with Aiden has made my life so much richer. It has deepened my appreciation for my husband and brought me closer to my younger son, Stefen. I am living the life I dream, and I am living it because Aiden had the courage to say, "This is who I am."

Marsha Aizumi and her son, Aiden

I interviewed Marsha last year, and you can watch that video here. Add your review of "Two Spirits, One Heart" in comments!

It's Asexual Awareness Week!

Okay, I admit it. I knew very little about the Asexual community (and Asexuality) prior to this week.

But thanks to Shelby and Tiny Dinosaur and the information over at the Asexual Awareness Week website, I feel better equipped to stand up as an ally for people who identify as Asexual.

Check out this video:

Asexuality Awareness Week's "Asexuality 101" is a great resource

Tiny Dinosaur did a tumblr slideshow about Asexuality. Here's a taste:

And I think what Tiny Dinosaur is pointing out above is true of everyone. If you are aware of who you are and that there is a community of others like you, you're less sad, feel less alone, you know you're not broken and you're not confused.

You're just free to be your authentic self.  And isn't that what we're all working towards? A world where each of us can be our authentic selves?


Check out the Asexual Awareness Week website, and stand up as an ally to the Asexual community!

Namaste,
Lee

Transforming Practice: A Transgender Resource for Health Care Providers (You May Want To Suggest It To Yours)

Transforming Practice: Life Stories of Transgender Men That Change How Health Providers Work by Marcus Greatheart, MSW

As the publisher writes,

In our experience our trans friends frequently have to educate their healthcare providers and therapists- not to mention the general public- about trans issues, so hopefully this book can grease the wheels for many of them so there's a peer reviewed book/study they can point to that dispels the myth that trans men and people anywhere on the gender spectrum are prone to mental illness and unhappiness. This book has first hand interviews of trans men talking about positive experiences and even describing their transition process as enjoyable.

Add your review of "Transforming Practice" in comments!

Resources: The Sylvia Rivera Law Project's "Toilet Training" Video - The Challenge People Who Don't Conform To Gender Norms Face In Just Needing To Use The Bathroom

This excerpt from a longer video is thought-provoking!

The video addresses the persistent discrimination, harassment, and violence that people who transgress gender norms face in gender segregated bathrooms.  Using the stories of people who have been harassed, arrested or beaten for trying to use bathrooms, Toilet Training focuses on bathroom access in public space, in schools, and at work.

Find out more at the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

The Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration helps LGBTI refugees worldwide

Refugees fleeing persecution due to sexual orientation or gender identity have an organization advocating for them!

The Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) is the only organization focused exclusively on helping vulnerable LGBTI refugees worldwide find safety and rebuild their lives in welcoming communities. ORAM increases global support for refugees and asylum seekers through advocacy and education, as well as technical assistance to people and groups interested in working with refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers.

They've also put together a publication, Rainbow Bridges

which is a "Community Guide to Rebuilding the Lives of LGBTI Refugees and Asylees," designed for US LGBT and accepting communities to support increasing numbers of LGBT refugees.


I was really happy to learn about ORAM so I could share it with all of you.

Namaste,
Lee

Gendercast: Our Transmasculine Genderqueery - A Fantastic Podcast About Gender

Gendercast is a podcast exploration of gender and what is means to live in, challenge and exist beyond the binary. It is a conversation between all those who identify along the transmasculine spectrum and our allies and supporters. It is a commentary on our culture and a reflection on where we have come from and where we are headed. 

I listened to podcast #34 and as an ally to the trans and gender non-conforming community found it fascinating and very informative.

You can download Gendercast via itunes...just go to the itunes store and search Gendercast. Or you can download directly from their gendercast.libsyn.com site.

Enjoy!

Lee

Rainbow Family Collections: Selecting And Using Children's Books with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Content - A New Resource!

"Rainbow Family Collections: Selecting And Using Children's Books with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Content" by Jaime Campbell Naidoo

From the back cover:

Research shows that an estimated 2 million children are being raised in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families in the United States; that the number of same-sex couples adopting children is at an all-time high; and that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) couples raising children live in 96 percent of all counties in the United States.  Today's educators and youth librarians therefore need guidance in choosing, evaluating, and selecting high-quality children's books with LGBTQ content.

Highlighting titles for children from infancy to age 11, Rainbow Family Collections examines over 250 children's picture books, informational books, and chapter books with LGBTQ content from around the world.  Each entry in Rainbow Family Collections supplies a synopsis of the title's content, lists awards it has received, cites professional reviews, and provides suggestions for librarians considering acquisition.

The book also provides a brief historical overview of LGBTQ children's literature along with the major book awards for this genre, tips on planning welcoming spaces and offering effective library service to this population, and a list of criteria for selecting the best book with this content.  Interviews with authors and key individuals in LGBTQ children's book publishing are also featured.

I know I've found some titles new to me in this - look for a blog post on "Gender Now Coloring Book: A Learning Adventure for Children and Adults" by Maya Christina Gonzalez soon!

Have you used this book as a resource?  Add your take on it in comments.

Namaste,
Lee

PS - my thanks to Yapha and Robin, two awesome librarians, who both made sure I knew about this one!

Gender Lesson for K-5

A blog reader shared this Gender Lesson from Darlene Tando's Gender Blog with me, and it's awesome!

I especially like the list of rules teachers can post in their classrooms:

In Our Classroom…

We are kind to each other.

All toys are for all children.

Colors are for everyone.

Everyone gets to pick their own style.

Being different is OK.

We stand up for others.

Namaste,
Lee

From The Dress Up Corner To The Senior Prom: Navigating Gender and Sexuality Diversity in Pre-K - 12 Schools

Psychologist and educational consultant Jennifer Bryan, Ph.D. tells us about her book...

• Kindergarteners wonder how come the classmate with two moms doesn't have a dad and so they ask their teacher for an explanation.
• Second graders struggle with gender role expectations and begin to learn the "rules" about what is okay for boys and what is okay for girls. Whose "rules" should they follow anyway?
• Fourth graders use "That's so gay" to label anything they think is weird or dumb. Or they use "gay" as a personal put-down, a slur, a taunt.
• Sixth graders step toward adolescence carrying conflicting messages and inaccurate information about sexuality. What should they believe?
• An increasing number of middle school students express a range of Sexual Identities - straight, gay, bisexual, queer - and are looking for guidance and acceptance from their families and school community.
• The small percentage of elementary, middle and high school students who are Gender Variant and/or Transgender are at particular risk in terms of safety, understanding and acceptance in school by both peers and adults
• ALL pre-adolescent and adolescent students need comprehensive sexuality education in order to make healthy, responsible choices and to learn about people different from themselves.

As a culture, we are in the midst of a profound social, legal, political and religious transformation with regard to Gender and Sexuality. Yet it is in Education, in our Pre K- 12 schools, that questions about and reactions to these aspects of Human Identity are manifest on a daily basis in the classroom, in the hallways, or on the playground.

Jennifer sets out in her book to address these and more...check out her website for additional information.

Today is the start of No Name-Calling Week!

Inspired by James Howe's awesome MG novel THE MISFITS, No Name-Calling Week is a wonderful real-world event.

With lesson plans (for elementary, middle and high school), resources, and even art lessons - No Name-Calling Week is a great event to know about - and to integrate into your life and school.

Imagine our world being one where no one said "gay" or "lame" or "bitch" as a negative. 

Think about the names you're heard - and maybe even the ones you've said.  We have the opportunity to recognize that our words are powerful... and we can use that power for good!  And we can start right now!

Namaste,
Lee