Trans Stories and the Freedom to Read

Join us for a panel discussion on the lived experiences of transgender teens and grandparents of transgender people. Moderator Janna Barkin will read excerpts from her latest book, A Grand Love: Stories for Grandparents of Transgender Grandchildren, and she will moderate a group of panelists that includes transgender people and grandparents of transgender grandchildren. There will be time for questions and discussion. 

This event is purposefully scheduled during Banned Books Month to highlight the importance of the freedom to read, and the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. Many banned books are written by LGBTQ+ authors, or feature LGBTQ+ issues. In this time of book bans, it is so important that these types of books are read and these topics are discussed.

Transgender people have never been more visible in our society than right now. There is evidence that transgender and gender diverse people benefit greatly when they have the support, love, and acceptance of their parents and families. Grandparents have an opportunity to play a crucial role in family dynamics and contribute to positive outcomes for their loved ones. 

Grandparents who become aware that their grandchild’s gender identity doesn’t match the sex assigned to them at birth can feel confused and alone. While the field of knowledge in this area is growing at a very fast pace, many therapists, counsellors, teachers, and school administrators remain unskilled and uninformed when it comes to working with transgender or gender diverse children and their parents, grandparents, and other family members.

This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Fairfax Library. 

Panelists:

Liz Armstrong is a retired Episcopal priest having moved to West Marin from the Sacramento area in 2020. "I have two grown sons and three teenaged grandchildren, two of whom are transgender. I support my grandchildren in all ways that I can and love them all to the moon and back."

Gabe Adelman is a 22-year-old from Petaluma. Gabe is looking forward to sharing his experiences and helping his community gain a better understanding of what it is to be transgender.

Hope Greenleaf is a 17-year-old non-binary poet and activist who uses they/she pronouns. Hope finds joy in writing poetry, being in nature, listening to music, and photography. They have attended and planned trans rights protests and protests for other social justice issues. They look up to Zooey Zephyr, a trans congresswoman from Montana, who spoke up against numerous anti-trans bills introduced in her state, and see her as a role model for political and social justice.

Janna Barkin, author, educator, parent coach, support group facilitator, and parent of a transgender child. Janna’s book He's Always Been My Son: A Mother’s Story About Raising Her Transgender Son (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017) is an inspiring and moving story told from the heart. and recounts the emotional and uplifting journey of raising a transgender child. Written with warmth and humor, He's Always Been My Son reminds us to accept others for who they are and provides support, education, and inspiration. Her new book A Grand Love: Stories for Grandparents of Transgender Grandchildren (JKP 2024) is sure to be an uplifting and helpful resource.

Find out more about Janna and the work she does here: www.hesalwaysbeenmyson.com

This free program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Fairfax Library.

For disability accommodations please phone 415-473-3220 (Voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail [email protected] at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.

Para adaptaciones por discapacidad, por favor llame a 415-473-3220 (Voz), Servicio de Retransmisión de CA 711, o envíe un correo electrónico a [email protected] con al menos cinco días hábiles de anticipación al evento. El Condado hará su mejor esfuerzo para satisfacer las solicitudes recibidas con menos de cinco días hábiles de antelación. Hay copias de los documentos disponibles en formatos alternativos, previa solicitud.