Today is my Mom’s birthday. There are so many things to celebrate about her – her intelligence, work ethic, sense of humor and trustworthiness are only a few. But today on Action Left, I’d like to celebrate my Mom for her courage, activism and unwavering commitment to her family.
A couple weeks ago, my Mom wrote the following paragraph reflecting on activism surrounding the health care debate:
My son Jordan did another incredibly brave thing today. He walked up to a group of demonstrators spouting preposterous propaganda designed to derail the health care reform effort in our country. After listening to their disingenuous concerns for the welfare of others, he let them know how he feels about people scaring the elderly and less fortunate. He told them about his grand parents and how these scare tactics were troubling them, scaring them into thinking that their health coverage may be canceled or rationed. What kind of people scare others just to push their agenda and avoid change? Who else? The Party of No. They’re no better than the scam artists who prey on the elderly. Well Jordan told these jerks that scaring old people was not acceptable. I am so proud of him and wish I had half of his courage.
Reading this paragraph really moved me. Not only because its so cool be supported as an activist by my parents, but also because its quite an honor to be considered courageous by my Mom, one of the bravest people I know. She has always stuck up for the people she loves, and as her Transgender son, this means the world to me. Her activism comes in many forms, sometimes as a letter to her Congressperson, but more often and most effectively, it comes in her personal interactions. It can’t be easy to hear your daughter tell you that actually, he’s a boy, but never for a second during my coming out process did i doubt that she had my back. When I came home from college for the first summer after staring my physical transition, she drove to my dentist’s office and told them in person that I was Trans and instructed them on how to be respectful. And, just the other day, she shared her experience about being the mother of a Trans person with someone who was so moved by her courage and compassion that he came out as the parent of a gay son!
Mom, you never cease to amaze me, and not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for you and our family. Thanks for contributing to Action Left and, most of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
