2020 Outstanding Books (IPPY) Gold Medal Winner! Award-winning author, Diana J. Ensign, practices the art of listening to people who teach us how to love and care for one another on this human journey. Here, transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming teens, adults, and family members voice an urgent call for freedom: The freedom to pursue dreams, to work in meaningful jobs, to be free of hatred and violence, to love one another, and to be who they are. This book underscores the essential human need for safety, connection, acceptance, and for policies that ensure every family is valued. With these candid and insightful narratives, we learn practical ways that parents, teachers, healthcare providers, neighbors, friends, and allies can create supportive communities for transgender individuals. Through compassionate understanding, this book guides us toward a more loving world. Together, we can stop the violence, end the hatred, advocate for LGBTQ equality, and stand for freedom. TESTIMONIALS "As a parent to a transgender child, I recommend The Freedom to Be to family members, friends, and community members who want ideas on how to best support transgender individuals." -Steph B., Parent "As we begin the process of understanding who we are within the LGBTQ+ community, most of us are incredibly vulnerable, uncertain of our futures, and hoping to find compassion. In those beginnings, we rely on the willingness of others to share their stories with us, honestly and humbly, so we can become who we were always meant to be. The foundation of our community rests in the courage and the raw honesty of people like those in The Freedom to Be who are bravely living their truth of being queer." -Chris Handberg, Executive Director of Indy Pride, Inc. "Diana Ensign has captured the voice and experience of youth and adults who need and deserve to have their voices heard. As an educator, I believe The Freedom to Be could help begin informed, positive conversations between parents, teachers, and other adults with trans and nonbinary youth in their lives." -Dawn Merrill, Humanities & Technology (k-12) Teacher "To be loved, valued, and accepted are basic human needs, but unfortunately all too rare for gender nonconforming and transgender people. As a clinical social worker, I've learned that society's binary idea of gender is a fabrication that limits our individual creativity and potential. As The Freedom to Be shows, these are human beings who just want to live their lives in peace and without threat so they can realize their full potential. My hope is that the human race will evolve to the point where differences in gender expression are no longer feared and demonized but rather enhanced, embraced, and celebrated." - Tina Wiesert, Clinical Social Worker, LCSW "The Freedom to Be highlights the amazing strength of LGBTQ+ people. Stories like these allow the youth at Indiana Youth Group (IYG) to know that life does get better, and they too can lead full, inspiring lives." -Chris Paulsen, Chief Executive Officer of Indiana Youth Group (IYG) "The telling of human stories is always a timeless, brilliant venture. The act of writing these stories into human history begins to capture our truth. Sharing your own story authentically during this time in history is brave and bold. They cannot erase our being! May we all continue to be brave enough to share and bold enough to listen." -Kris Wise MSW, LCSW, Ally Counseling & Consulting