TRANS-itioning Together With Love

The picture above is of me and my trans son Avi on a recent trip we took together in the UK.

When I participated in writing my chapter for Embracing Your Eros, I didn't realize how many wonderful people I was going to meet in the process.  One of the other authors I got to know was, Ace, who is a trans man like Avi. 

Ace invited me to be on his podcast, Holy Unapologetic.  As it drew closer, I realized it might be far more interesting for people to hear from me and Avi together - than me alone. 

In the US there is a lot of discussion about gender orientation including trans people and others marginalized populations, but it isn't a new thing.  It has been less visible in our society until lately, but in other cultures - long seen and more accepted.  Some cultures hold non-traditional gender orientated people in revered, sacred roles as healers, teachers, ceremonial leaders.  They consider them a gift to help us see the embodiment of both the masculine and feminine (ie. Bissu, Māhū, Muxe, Two-Spirit, Hijras).

In fact, early on in the process trying to understand my child, I asked my non-physical guides, "What was Avi's journey about in this area?"  What I heard, was that his soul had a desire to experience fully being feminine and masculine.  That helped me respect and embrace his transformation and the courage it has taken for him to trust it.

We do our best to talk honestly about the spectrum of what we each experienced. For me, what it was like as a parent and for Avi, his journey as a non-white trans person, facing uncomfortable social situations, navigating different relationships in our family along the way.. and more.  I'm really proud of Avi for his willingness to be vulnerable and share his experience.

I'm not a model ally to be frank, I'm learning a bit at a time.  I did want to share a few things that might contribute to trans understanding and I hope a more balanced, peaceful society.  

1. Our conversation on Holy Unapologetic Podcast: https://youtu.be/OEFtnRMsTBA?si=JcJabxJAyODAi8vh

2. The Embracing Your Eros book which has numerous honest, powerful voices along the sexual and gender spectrum: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GRJ4GZZ6

 3. A guide to being an ally from PFLAG (an organization that helped me make the transition as a parent of a trans child). It's a wonderful guide to self-educate. The Guide to Being An Ally to Trans and Nonbinary People

4. Avi is holding a Go-Fund me Campaign for his top surgery this summer if you feel called to help that way. https://gofund.me/b1006d864

If you are going through your own family transition, searching for love at the center of your intentions and actions will guide you.  If you need help listening to that voice inside, I'm here to help.  Nothing means more to me than helping to create a world where we learn how to live with love as the guidepost.