February 5, 2012
Children's Book Supports Chinese Tradition of Same-Sex Silk Workers' Marriages
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 2 MIN.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -�The movement for marriage equality in the United States stands on the shoulders of a centuries-long Chinese tradition, according to new information published by Rainbow Rumpus, the online magazine for kids and teens with LGBT parents. The article, visible at http://www.rainbowrumpus.org/kids/golden-orchid-society, details the history of marriages between female silk makers who then adopted female children.
"This information sheds new light on the history of LGBT-headed families and the role that traditional marriage has played in supporting those families," said Laura Matanah, Executive Director of Rainbow Rumpus.
"The two million children growing up with same sex parents in the United States today will receive a wide variety of rights and protections when same-sex marriage is legalized. It's important for them-and for all of us-to know about this history."
A related storybook for children, "Grandpa Dragon and My Peach Tree Moms," is available for free download at http://www.rainbowrumpus.org/htm/printable.htm
The delightful tale shares the story of Bao, a young girl being raised by an aging dragon. Grandpa Dragon decides he must find her a human family, and the two embark on a search for the right parents.
The book contains questions and activities to help children explore related themes such as family relationships, fabric making, and dragon stories from a variety of cultural traditions.
The article and the book are both written by author Rene Ohana. Grandpa Dragon is the sixth title in Rainbow Rumpus's Printable Picture Book Series. Each book tells a story about a child with lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender parents and gives parents and teachers tools for talking about family diversity. Rainbow Rumpus's website also has a variety of articles written by and for kids and teens addressing the issue of marriage equality.
Rainbow Rumpus is the primary publisher of LGBT family fiction in the United States, publishing more new fiction each year than all other publishers combined. Noted authors Marion Dane Bauer (Newbery Award), Nancy Garden (Margaret A. Edwards Award), Gregory Maguire (author of Wicked), and Jacqueline Woodson (Newbery honor) sit on the organization's author advisory board. Rainbow Rumpus executive director, Laura Matanah, a former elementary school teacher, was named a top-ten educator in the United States by Curve, the nation's best-selling lesbian magazine.
Visit www.rainbowrumpus.org
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
