I have not written in my journal in quite some time. I have been very busy at work and busy trying to help keep the kids on track at school and at home. But I did find time for Nicole and I spend a weekend at the University of Maine...

Nicole was 10 years old, openly attending school as a transgender girl, and Valentine's Day was right around the corner. I was working late on a farm safety problem when Dave, the custodian, poked his head into my office to say "hi." Dave often shares a few words of old...

2012 has been a year of many ups and downs, stresses and loneliness for me as I spend the weeks away from my family. Until recently the year was ending on a down note, but you never know who is going to pick you up.

After the

You never know when or where you might meet someone who is going to inspire or help you. It could be at work, in the grocery store, at church or at the hunting camp. This time it was at work. An amazing new friend inspired me to reach out beyond...

Last week, after five years of struggle, pain, hard work and hope, a Superior Court judge ruled that the Orono school system did not violate the Maine Human Rights Act when it prohibited my daughter Nicole from using the restroom that matches her gender identity.

Upon learning of...

This semester I have met some exceptional students at the University of Maine. One day early in the year I stopped by the Rainbow Resource (GLBT) Center. As I turned the corner young people were everywhere, on couches, sitting on tables and the floor; sporting tattoos, earrings of all kinds...

This past June we were invited to the White House to celebrate LGBT Pride Month. It seemed like a dream that only became reality when we entered the White House gates. Each turn brought a new adventure and a chance to talk to amazing people who are on the same...

My last post talked about "Going Stealth" about my transgender child's identity at school and in our community. Deciding whom to tell is a complicated, risk-filled and dynamic process. Dynamic because at different ages, the risks and rules change. Each phase of the decision-making process requires asking questions....

A few years ago we had to move to a new town, to a new school. Ongoing bullying, harassment and discrimination left us with no choice but to leave our beautiful home, our friends and our community. We are not alone. Families raising transgender children face the same plight throughout...

The most amazing woman I know is my wife, and I really need to tell her how special she is more often, but she is my wife and these words regularly go unspoken. Thank you for all that you do to keep our family strong.

When I need them, the...

As I continue to try to make the world a safer place for my transgender daughter and her friends it seems like I am destined to say I want to help and need to ask others to help. Asking others to help is not always easy, but doing so is...

My dad passed away unexpectedly a few years ago and as Father's Day approaches, I think of him often. One of my dad's favorite places was his hunting camp, and going to camp with him was one of my twins' special grandpa activities. Grandparents help make us who we are;...

I read the Washington Post's "Transgender at Five" piece this week and though I could provide additional feedback to help other parents understand what transgender children and their parents really go through.

I was fortunate enough to watch my identical twins babies grow and develop unique and...

Last Saturday at my son's lacrosse game, I sat down next to an older couple that was at the game watching their grandson, who was on the other team. It was a beautiful day and I was looking forward to rooting for my son and his team. I struck up...

April 20, 2012 was a National Day of Silence. The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), created the "Day of Silence" to remind people that anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) bullying, harassment and name-calling occurs every day in schools across the country. As a parent of a transgender...

I cannot explain what transgender means to me in a 1,000-word essay, but I can begin to open a dialogue and share a few stories that may help others understand what it means to raise a transgender child. There were many early struggles, and even more for my wife as...