Charis welcomes Ben V. Greene in conversation with Ben Ackerley for a discussion of My Child Is Trans, Now What?: A Joy-Centered Approach to Support, a powerful book for readers aiming to support trans youth that Booklist calls a "warm and generous book that] will help a wide range of readers" and Publishers Weekly says is "a pragmatic program for parenting beyond the gender binary." This event is co-sponsored by PFLAG, TransParent, and Pride Atlanta.
As a full-time public speaker specializing in spreading awareness and understanding of the transgender community, what Ben Greene hears most from parents and loved ones is the phrase "I'm sorry." They're sorry for using the wrong word, sorry for asking an offensive question, sorry for not knowing this already, sorry for asking a question at all. The combination of exhaustion from trans people who have become their community's designated educator and the growing trend of "canceling" anyone who says anything wrong has created a culture where people who have good hearts and minimal access to information are so afraid to make a mistake they don't even try.
In My Child is Trans, Now What? A Joy-Centered Approach to Support, Greene breaks the mold by offering a judgement-free guide to people across generations, from millennial parents to members of older generations who may not have had previous positive exposure to the trans community. Greene focuses on providing two key resources in this book: information and emotional support. He explains what to expect, what systems exist to support trans youth, and what loved ones can do to help.
Using a combination of personal stories and experiences, definitions, and additional resources, My Child is Trans, Now What? is an essential guide for anyone looking to help trans youth thrive.
Ben Greene is a trans man, transgender advocate, and educator who has spoken internationally on topics surrounding transgender inclusion. After coming out at 15 in small-town Connecticut and giving a popular TEDx talk at Brandeis University, Ben has devoted his career to spreading empathy, education, and storytelling around the trans experience. He has spoken for companies, hospitals, schools, religious organizations, and government entities sharing what it means to be transgender and how to show up as an ally.
He is a fierce advocate for transgender youth, regularly speaking in their defense at the Missouri State Capitol, and when he is not speaking during working hours, he is delivering free presentations to parent support groups around the country and spending hours one-on-one with families of newly out transgender loved ones. He is passionate about educating others from a place of compassion-no matter where they’re starting from, and lives by the catchphrase “the only question I won’t answer is the question you don’t ask”.
Ben Ackerley is a non-binary activist and parent of a transgender child, fighting for LGBTQ+ Equality in Georgia. They are building strong queer communities through the Georgia Chapter of TransParent, Georgia Rainbow Families, and as a Committee Chair with Atlanta Pride. TransParent is a national organization dedicated to supporting the parents and caregivers of transgender and gender-expansive kids. Ben serves as Co-leader of the Georgia Chapter of TransParent and the Coordinator for the TransParent National Support Groups.
2 июн 2024
