This origin story, like much of my journey parenting a trans child, is non-linear. My story has cocooned, transitioned, evolved and taken flight over a decade.
The world often feels vast and complex. It’s easy to believe that short conversations or small decisions have little impact on the bigger picture. But I’ve learned that this isn’t true. Even the smallest actions, like the flutter of a moth’s wings, can create ripples that transform lives.
The significance of the butterfly in our logo and ‘how it links to a business focused on equity and belonging consulting,’ is a good question.
While it is not rooted in Chaos Theory, like ‘The Butterfly Effect,’ the imagery is absolutely purposeful.
When I reflect on the significance of the butterfly—or more accurately, the moth—in our logo at Simply Good Form, I think about how deeply it connects to our mission and my personal journey.
This story, like much of my path as a parent to a trans child, isn’t linear. It’s a journey of cocooning, transitioning, evolving, and eventually taking flight.
The Moth in The Pink Balloon
When I wrote The Pink Balloon, a children’s book inspired by my family’s experiences with gender identity, I worked with the talented illustrator Briana Corr Scott to bring the story to life. Among its pages is a small creature with delicate pink, blue, and white wings—the colors of the transgender flag.
At first, I assumed it was a butterfly. I even created butterfly pins, coloring pages, and branding to celebrate this symbol of transformation. It wasn’t until a year after publishing the book that my son pointed out something I had missed.
“You know, Mom,” he said casually, “it’s not a butterfly. It’s a moth.”
OK, that was embarrassing. I was perplexed.
How had I not noticed?
But this discovery only made me love the moth more.
Moths, like people, are often misunderstood. There are colorful moths and drab butterflies, just as our gender expression isn’t always a reliable indicator of our gender identity. The moth’s delicate wings remind me that beauty and authenticity often lie beyond first impressions.
Parenting and the Butterfly Effect
My son’s journey of self-discovery began at the age of 10, when he found the words to express his inner struggles with gender identity. His courage to live authentically sparked a chain of changes in our family’s life—a series of Butterfly Effects that would ultimately lead me to where I am today.
These changes weren’t easy.
At times, they felt overwhelming and isolating. At other times, the changes were transformational and opened us as parents, to entirely new world of connectivity and growth. Sometimes these changes were divisive with those around us.
People’s fear to engage, learn and protect took its toll on our son. Fear came at a high cost. After three long years of relentless bullying, solitude, night terrors, and sleepless nights, we decided to pull him from Junior High School. Shortly after, we made the tough choice to move neighborhoods.
As a parent, it was heartbreaking to feel powerless to protect him. I had begun my own transition as a new kind of parent. I became an ally and an advocate. I found myself searching for words. I didn’t yet know how to navigate this new reality. However, I knew my son would not survive adolescence if I didn’t find words and language.
I found my voice. I lead volunteer support groups for parents and caregivers of trans children. I spoke on panels and organized flag-raisings. I gave speeches, presentations and workshops. I shared stories of resilience that would hopefully break false perceptions and build community.
An audience participant from a past presentation, approached me years after, and said,
“Your story stuck with me. It changed how I see things.”
Moments like this remind me that even small conversations can leave lasting impressions—like butterfly wings stirring the air. The impact – profound.
Transformation and Belonging
The moth in The Pink Balloon represents more than just transformation. It symbolizes the courage to be seen. It also represents the beauty of living authentically.
This is central to our mission at Simply Good Form. We create spaces where people feel valued. They are understood and celebrated for who they are.
My son once told me that he wanted to grow up to be a butterfly. This was long before he understood what being transgender meant.
Little did we know how significant that dream was.
We’re all in a constant state of transformation, discovering who we are and how we can live our truth. These conversations, these shared moments of connection, are like the flutter of a moth’s wings.
They might seem small, but they have the power to change the world.
So, here’s to starting conversations, embracing discomfort, and celebrating authenticity—one delicate wingbeat at a time.
Find out more about my services and partnership opportunities here at Simply Good Form Inc. or visit our Blog for resources and downloadables. Tune-in to our podcasts Hey, Cis! and Trans Canada Stories here.
Notes:
- Learn more about The Pink Balloon
- Learn more about The Butterfly Effect
- ‘The world is vast and complex and it may sometimes seem that our small decisions and actions have little to no impact on the big picture. However, if you think about minute details of your life, you may be able to see how a small event was actually the catalyst for a huge change in your life.’ The Butterfly Effect Explained
- Trans Pulse Survey
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Empowering Trans Youth: Language, Intimacy, and Gender Affirming Support
In Episode 53 of Simply Beyond, Cyn Sweeney and Hanley Smith discuss managing gender dysphoria while highlighting the significance of supportive environments for trans youth. They address language to reduce stigma, safer intimacy, and the Check Me Out tool for sexual health. The episode emphasizes community knowledge, medical guidance, and resilience.
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Watch Maria Read The Pink Balloon: A Gender Identity Tale
Maria from North Grove reads Cynthia Sweeney’s children’s book, The Pink Balloon, in an engaging storytime video. The community expresses excitement for sharing this heartwarming tale about gender identity. Viewers are encouraged to purchase their own copy. Thank you, Maria and North Grove, for promoting self-acceptance and authenticity.
