Stories Move the Walls That Need to Be Moved

[Shana A]

Wayne Maines
Father, storyteller, and advocate for change

Stories Move the Walls That Need to Be Moved
Posted: 11/09/2012 4:07 pm

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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 and hair of many colors. The "old me" would not have been comfortable breaking that first minute of silence as they wondered who was this guy wearing the tie and identification badge.

I said, "Hi my name is Wayne Maines," and they welcomed me with open arms. Since that day each interaction with these students has been very rewarding. Whenever I talk to them I remind them that they soon will be the leaders, counselors, doctors and business owners who will change the world. I am very thankful for every opportunity to get to know them.

This week they asked me to speak at the Transgender Remembrance Day ceremony that will be held on campus on November 20th. I have been thinking a great deal about what I might say. I could talk about the pain and suffering that my children and family has endured. I could describe how hard it is to raise a transgender child to adulthood unharmed. I will talk about all of the work that needs to be done to protect transgender people around the world and I know I will cry.