To celebrate Blogging for LGBT Families this year, I’m blogging with/about gratitude.
This occasion crept up on me, as I’m not quite ready for June. And, it reminded me about how neglected this blog is. It’s been complicated, thinking about what to share here, what to write, what to keep private. As Q gets older, he continues to navigate the world in complicated ways. And, at the same time, he is so purely himself — a true stereotype breaker. The identity he grabbed onto with such zeal at 4, and the one that still sticks with him today, at 9.
For a kiddo like him, it can be hard to be in the world. Heck, it’s not always easy to be in the world as a queer family (connecting back here, to the purpose of this post). So finding places where it is easy to be? Well…it fills me with gratitude. We are so lucky to live in a community among many other queer families. To have allies around us.
As I thought about this post, though, I thought about how lucky Q is for the school he attends. I’ve been in a bit of a muddle about Q and school lately for a number of reasons. But at the end of the day, my kiddo is known there. He is loved for who he is. And he can shine.
Beyond that, our family is known, loved, and not alone. And that is rare. All too rare. For queer families, queer kids, gender non-conforming kids. Every year, Q takes the stage as co-MC at his school in order to lead the annual LGBT pride celebration assembly. I see his chest swell with pride. He plans his outfit with care (this year it included a rainbow ribbon braided into his hair), and he proclaims it, every year “one of the best days of my life.”
How can I not be grateful for that? As an educator, I think that schools need to take the best in every child and bring that out. Celebrate it. And for Q, that’s what happens at that assembly. He beams with pride. And in those moments, I can feel nothing but gratitude.
Great post and what a fabulous school Q goes to. I can’t imagine a primary school here in the UK having a Pride assembly. most of the secondary schools wouldn’t do it. Sadly “gay” is currently the insult of choice in schools here
Your son looks very happy as a girl, he should be raised as a girl.
Here’s the thing: My son is very happy as HIMSELF (which, to you, codes as “girl”), and I’m trying to help him grow up happy and confident in who he is (no matter how that might change along the way). The idea of raising him “as a girl” reverts to traditional notions and images of two distinct genders — an idea that I’m pushing past, or hoping to push past, with my thoughts here.
That braid is adorable. How lovely!
Thanks so much for participating in Blogging for LGBT Families Day once again!
I just love that you are in a supportive community. We have friends whose child is transgendered and they have great support at both church and school. Such a relief for folks like me who are only trying to be helpful from a distance!
(And that braid is absolutely beautiful – I wish I could grow my hair out at ALL!)
Im also impressed there is a pride assembly in elementary school. I wish we had something like that. Glad to see your blog post, and glad your son is doing well.
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