Center Blog

For me, it was the birth certificate; there it was, in black and white (well, black and light blue): my wife of 3 years as the Mother, and me as Father/Parent, with sex “F”. Myself being genderqueer, the need for my sex on the birth certificate of my child was problematic, but there was something undeniably vindicating about opening that envelope. Here our marriage is only recognized in a few states, and even here in New York, only recognized in some institutions, but we didn’t have to go through any special applications or appear in court to have this document issued correctly.

I think for all member of the LGBTQ community, there are shining moments they didn’t think were possible, last year, five years ago, or half a lifetime ago. I didn’t think the birth certificate was going to be one of those moments for me, but when it was in my hand, with an embossed seal and thick paper, it became something of which I was very proud.

Our journey into parenting was, in many ways, not very notable: We decided we wanted children (me deciding several painstakingly long years after my wife, if you ask her), we did some research, and we started trying. A few roller-coaster months later, we had the greatest news of our lives. Then the baby came, and ever since, we’ve been doing laundry. But that story leaves out the interesting parts: the research included looking for a sperm donor that I felt most closely resembled a male-bodied version of myself, and then working through the disappointment that I couldn’t be the sperm donor myself; we spent hours carefully telling family members, “We’re going to have a baby, so Kai will be a Papa!” to set our expectations for language; and perhaps most memorably, we had to carry a cryogenic tank across town, pick up sperm, and walk a mile home with a container emblazoned with “Caution: Bio Hazard” through the streets of New York.

At the beginning of this journey, I attended the first meeting of the Center Families Transgender and Genderqueer Parents and Prospective Parents group. I am a co-facilitator at the group, so I am helplessly biased in this respect, but I have had many wonderful conversations receiving support from others in all stages of parenting, giving advice on issues we’ve worked through, and sharing stories of joy and sadness. The group is as diverse as its members – discussions happen organically with someone sharing a thought, or telling a story. Perennial favorite discussion topics include family acceptance and education, parenting through foster care and adoption, what our children will call us, pregnancy in a transgender or genderqueer body, and navigating social situations and the questions of our own children.

Everyone with any interest or experience in parenting is welcomed warmly – there are babies and toddlers at the meetings, pregnant folks, parents of older children, and those thinking of parenting somewhere down the line. The group meets at the LGBT Center monthly on a Sunday late in the month – for November we’re meeting this Sunday, November 21st from 12:30 to 2pm. In January and onward, we meet on the 4th Sunday of the month, from 12:30 to 2pm.

Please come, share your story, ask questions, and join the discussion!

Kai Johnson
Co-facilitator of the Center Families Transgender and Genderqueer Parents and Prospective Parents group.
For any further questions, or to be added to the mailing list, contact ksjohnson3@gmail.com

Over the past couple months an alarming number of young LGBT people across the country have taken their own lives, and in our city hate crimes against our community appear to be on the rise. At this time we must stand together and support each other. This past Saturday, our YES (Youth Enrichment Services) program hosted a youth dance offering young people ages 13-22 a chance to do this very thing. As I walked down 13th street on my way home from Women’s Event 13, I could hear the sound of music coming from the Center, and a smile came to my face.

When I entered the Center, I was so proud of what I saw. Over a hundred youth filled our first floor beaming with confidence and pride. The Center serves as a safe space allowing each of these young people a chance to be themselves without fear or judgment. I noticed several youth who appeared to be on first dates, and I realized that the Center is the place where these young people feel safe enough to be themselves – and even bring a date! Positive energy filled the Center that night and I was reassured that our community can overcome any hate or intolerance that we face…IF we support each other.

YES participants dancing during Summer Camp

As a Center donor, you can make this possible. Every dollar that you give ensures LGBT youth a place to go, not only for crisis-intervention, but for connection to community 365 days a year. YOU allow our LGBT youth a chance to develop into healthy adults. It gets better, but in truth, YOU CAN MAKE IT BETTER, today!

The Center wants our youth to know they are part of OUR community. To do this we are asking you to purchase a Center membership for a young person today! Your gift of $70 will pay for your individual membership and offer one young person a membership making them a proud card-carrying member of the LGBT community. A generous donor has offered a matching gift for this program, so every dollar you give today will become 2! Help us make this $35,000 goal today!

Glennda Testone