HRC Sits Down with Parents for Trans Equality Council’s Rachel and Frank Gonzales

Post submitted by Sula Malina, HRC Children, Youth and Families Program Coordinator

The HRC Foundation’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council is a group of 24 inspiring parents of transgender youth from across the country. The council serves as a coalition of the nation’s leading parent-advocates working for equality and fairness for transgender people, with the intention of connecting, mobilizing and amplifying many of the most powerful voices of love, inclusion and support for transgender equality.  

HRC recently sat down with Rachel and Frank Gonzales, members of the council from Texas. The Gonzales family became fierce advocates for the transgender community after their daughter, Libby, transitioned. From delivering testimonies at the Texas Capitol to speaking at rallies, the Gonzales family is a visible force in the fight for equality for transgender Texans.

What inspired you to join HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council?

We are constantly inspired by the work of so many brave and courageous families across the country, and it is such an honor to join this group of parents. When we came to the realization that our daughter is transgender, we felt so alone — like so many other families often do. If we can give other families across the country a bit of comfort, we can then help provide them with the resources they need to be able to best support their children in their own journeys.

What’s been one highlight of your experience as a council member?

It’s been incredible getting to know families across the U.S. that all have the same common goals and love for their children. We learn from and are encouraged by the variety of ways that each family is working through the struggles we each share.

What part of HRC’s work do you connect with the most?

We so deeply appreciate the access to information. It is easy to feel like an island when you are raising a transgender young person, but the information that HRC shares and the visibility of so many families and individuals really helps us understand that we are not the only ones trying to learn how to work for the best interest of all of our children.

What’s one message you have for other parents of transgender children?

You are not alone. Perhaps it’s a bit cliche, but I know how helpful it has been to us and to so many others to know that we are in this together. Reach out, find your community — locally or online — don’t be afraid to seek the support you need to be your child’s best defender.

To learn more about HRC Foundation’s work with transgender youth and their families, visit our Children, Youth and Families program and our Parents for Transgender Equality page.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-sits-down-with-parents-for-trans-equality-councils-rachel-and-frank-gon?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Must-See LGBTQ TV: ‘Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors,’ ‘Versailles’ final season, return of ‘Will & Grace,’ ‘Superstore,’ plus Alyssa Edwards’ ‘Dancing Queen’

www.glaad.org/blog/must-see-lgbtq-tv-marvel-rising-secret-warriors-versailles-final-season-return-will-grace

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Director: Dumbledore ‘is Not Out as a Gay Man’ in ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald director David Yates clarified remarks he made earlier this year about the sexual orientation of young Dumbledore in the second installation of the Harry Potter spin-off.

Back in February, Yates created a firestorm after announcing that the young Dumbledore would not be “explicitly” gay, prompting responses from J.K. Rowling and Jude Law, who plays the young wizard.

RELATED: New ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Trailer Features Young Dumbledore and Grindelwald in ‘Not Explicitly Gay’ Moment: WATCH

Now, in an interview in the November 2018 Empire, Yates is more clear: “Dumbledore is not out as a gay man in this film…This part of this huge narrative that Jo is creating doesn’t focus on his sexuality, but we’re not airbrushing or hiding it…The story isn’t there in this particular movie but it’s clear in what you see… that he is gay. A couple of scenes we shot are very sensual moments of him and the young Grindelwald. I think people just have to wait and see and appreciate that in movies to come that relationship with be explored much more fully.”

Said Law in July: “…as with humans, your sexuality doesn’t necessarily define you; he’s multifaceted. I suppose the question is: How is Dumbledore’s sexuality depicted in this film? What you got to remember this is only the second Fantastic Beasts film in a series and what’s brilliant about Jo’s writing is how she reveals her characters, peels them to the heart over time. You’re just getting to know Albus in this film, and there’s obviously a lot more to come. We learn a little about his past in the beginning of this film, and characters and their relationships will unfold naturally which I’m excited to reveal. But we’re not going to reveal everything all at once.”

The film is released on November 16.

Here’s the final trailer:

The post ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Director: Dumbledore ‘is Not Out as a Gay Man’ in ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’ appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Director: Dumbledore ‘is Not Out as a Gay Man’ in ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’