Women’s History Month Spotlight: Kat Rohn
In honor of Women’s History Month and ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility, we spoke to Kat Rohn about her experiences as a transgender parent. She’s been highlighting her beautiful family over on @trans-parenting since 2013. Let’s dive into the interview!
We see so many parents documenting their parenting journeys on Tumblr. How did your @trans-parenting start?
I started Transparenting on Tumblr as both a way to record my own experiences as a (then) new parent, as well as to try and connect with other parents along the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I really didn’t have any big vision for where I wanted to go from there, but Tumblr felt like a great place to share and connect with a wide variety of content, and the community that I’ve found has been really fabulous.
Why is it so important that we continue to show the experience of parents who identify as LGBTQ+?
For one, I think visibility still matters for LGBTQ+ folks broadly. We’ve come a long way on that front since I started blogging in 2013, but having those stories, spaces, and experiences out there is important - especially for other LGBTQ+ folks who are or might be considering becoming parents one day. LGBTQ+ folks often have to jump through extra hoops to become parents, and unfortunately still face many structural and cultural obstacles. Having these stories out there can be really vital for people trying to navigate those challenges. I hear from folks on a regular basis who thanked me for sharing my story because it helped to give them hope for their own future. Visibility isn’t everything - and in this current political climate it can even feel like a liability at times - but it’s still powerful. I also think that the value of sharing these kinds of parenting experiences has value well beyond the LGBTQ+ specific community. I’ve been really fortunate in connecting with parents around the globe from a broad range of experiences and backgrounds. Parenting is full of its challenges, and getting a diverse set of perspectives on those challenges can be tremendously helpful. LGBTQ+ parents can bring a unique lens to many parenting conversations; and on the flip side, I’ve found my own parenting improved by having a broad range of voices and connections to draw upon.
What do you teach your children that you believe all parents should be teaching their children?
I want my kids to be kind and compassionate, to never stop being curious, to be resilient, and to proudly be themselves. I hope that my own identity and experiences help to foster that, but those are things every parent can help to teach their child!
We’re so grateful for you sharing your family’s story with Tumblr, Kat!
Tumblr, as we gear up to celebrate TDOV, we want to know how you plan to honor and celebrate yourselves or the trans people in your life. Let us know in the reblogs!
