Author Julie Tarney is a dynamic and highly engaging presenter and training professional on trans-inclusive topics. Her entertaining storytelling and actionable tips help promote LGBTQ+ representation and cultural change in high-performing organizations. Julie wrote the award-winning memoir, My Son Wears Heels (University of Wisconsin Press 2016),ย serves on the board of PFLAG NYC, guest writes forย HuffPostย and is a contributing advice columnist for My Kid Is Gay.ย She is member of the National Center for Transgender Equality's Families for Trans Equality network. Julie was named a โFavorite Queer Hero of 2016โ by HuffPost and one of BlogHer's โVoices of the Yearโ in 2015. A longtime resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Julie now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
The Motherโs Day my kid Harry was 12, he handed me an envelope with MโคM written on the front. I unfolded a sheet of paper to find a typed poem titled, โThe Joy of Having a Mother.โ I was blown away. Harry had begun writing poetry, and Iโd asked at the beginning of the school year if heโd write one for me. I didnโt know if heโd actually do it, and I certainly didnโt expect one about me. โThe Joy of Having a MotherโIn life we only get one,One who could never be outdone,Somebody who is there forever and always throughout eternity,Somebody not tainted throughout modernity,They are there to help you, and to guide your direction,One who will never face you with rejection,Cherish this someone,This heroine,This champion,Cherish this someone, for who they are,Whether you are near or far,Because they will love you, you not another,And that is the joy of having a motherโฆโI still get verklempt. Iโd never felt more important as a mother than in that moment. Harry had articulated our unbreakable bond and brought clarity to my role as their mom. But it felt a bit strange; Iโd never thought of myself as a heroine or champion before. What I usually recalled were the times I thought Iโd failed him. (Thank goddess Iโve gotten over my two Halloween costume-denial disasters!) We all make mistakes, feel guilty, or wish weโd done a thing or two differently. But hereโs what Harry taught me: Unconditional love and support have no expiration date. We moms can demonstrate in any moment what it means to cherish our children. We are encouragers, defenders and protectors, full stop.These decades later, Harry is MY hero. He remains true to himself and still doesnโt care what anyone else thinks. And every once in a while, for no reason at all, heโll surprise me with a bouquet of my favorite flowers. ๐ท#mothersdaymemories #mothersday#mothersdaylove #protecttransyouth #protecttranskids … See MoreSee Less
This week marks the 105th anniversary of Childrenโs Book Week! And Iโm smiling hard over this yearโs theme โ โNo Rules. Just Read.โ โ because I think any child should be able to read what they want, where they want, and how they want.There are so many colorful stories in print that can help kids in your family โ and you โ understand that their precious individuality and the uniqueness of others is something to be cheered. Pictured here are a few children’s-book titles in my home library for both young and adult readers, as well as the fabulous 2024 Childrenโs Book Week poster, created by Sophie Blackall. What are some of your favorite childrenโs books? Every Child a Reader#ChildrensBookWeek#NoRulesJustRead#librarians#teachers#schools#reading#kidlit#childrensbooks … See MoreSee Less