Good News and Gratitude

Do you ever get the sense that things are moving?

In the last month, our school brought in trainers from Our Family Coalition, the LGBT advocacy and education organization. They also sent eight—eight—faculty and staff members to a 2 1/2 day training with Keshet, the organization working toward LGBT inclusion in Jewish life.

The school is honoring the commitments that they made last year. We are so, so grateful. And eager to see what happens next.

In other good news, I’ve finally added a book list to my website. I frequently get requests from readers about books—for themselves, for their kids, for their doctors and family members and schools. Over time I’ve compiled a list of affirming books that I think are helpful, stimulating, and often beautiful. The list is roughly organized according to age of audience—board books (age 1-3), picture books (age 3-8), chapter books (8-12), middle grade books (ages 11-14), young adult books (high school), and adult books.

As I write and speak publicly about issues of gender, I am aware that my topic can also be a metaphor for all the ways kids can be different. And so I’ve included books that address not only gender identity and LGBT families, but sensory processing disorder, race, diversity and nonconformists of all sorts, and, of course—and sadly—bullying. Whether or not any particular issue applies to a particular child, books about difference of any kind can be helpful for understanding and accepting all difference. This is why it’s so important that we not only read a broad range of these types of books to our own children, but that we introduce these books into our schools, libraries, doctors’ waiting rooms, local bookstores, and anywhere else we can think of to share them with the wider world.

Take a look at the list and see what you think of these books. If you have a book to recommend for my list, let me know! If I like it, I’ll add it to the list. 

In gratitude,

Sarah