Sep 30th, 2006
Giving myself the pink slip.
Yesterday I sent this announcement to my mailing list:
I am writing to share with you my decision to step down from my role as professional queerspawn.
While this announcement might seem sudden, I have been assessing my career development and my role in the queerspawn movement for several months now. I am looking forward to new challenges and opportunities. Stepping down will also mean making more space for new faces and spokespeople to step forward.
As the sole owner of Families Like Mine LLC, I could continue to be an educator/advocate for LGBT families indefinitely — there is no one who can fire or retire me, except me. I am resigning (or “firing myself,” depending on how you look at it) effective December 31.
I will always be a proud queerspawn — only now, I will express my pride away from the microphones and deadlines. And after more than a decade of being an active player on behalf of LGBT families, I look forward to cheering on my peers from the sidelines.
In pride,
Abigail Garner
Author of Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is
Now blogging at “Damn Straight“
I have also posted an FAQ regarding my transition.
Thanks for your wonderful work on behalf of GLBT families. I’m a gay dad who came out at 46, and your book, emails and web site have been quite helpful to me.
Best wishes as you embark in a new direction.
I noticed that the monthly messages had stopped. I hope that you find something fulfilling (with good benefits and a pension plan) in your next life. You have good credentials to be a spokesperson or lobbyist or any number of other professions.
Thanks for the educating you have done and the dedication you put into it.
Ruth
Good luck as you move on to new opportunities. You site has meant much to me and my family.
Thank you for advocating in such a sincere and honest way. May many follow because of your leadership.
Thank you so much for expanding my knowledge me and for providing resources that I can pass along to my children. They are only 3 but with 2 openly gay moms, they will be prepared to tackle the world!
I wish you continued success in all your endeavors.
You have been a blessing to at least thousands if not millions of “out of the mainstream” people. Thanks for all you have done.
Take some time for yourself!
Dave & Joan
Hello Abigail, I’ve been a quiet follower of your blog and I will miss your voice in the community. Good luck and I am sure you will be successful in whatever you do.
[…] Abigail Garner, author of the must-read Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is, publisher of Web sites Damn Straight and Oversampled, and all-around advocate for LGBT families, has announced she will leave her career as “professional queerspawn” as of the end of the year. […]
Wow Abigail….I am going to miss you. And your excellent e-newsletter about Families Like Mine. You have helped me in the transition from Dad to loving Gay Dad to my 5 kids. They are now almost all grown now, except for my youngest, who is a junior in High School. But she is part of a GSA at school and she is proud of me and I am proud of her. And I get along so well now with all my grown kids who now live all over the country. It was due to your newsletter and your website and education that helped them thru the transition period to acceptance . I remember meeting you in Nebraska and you impressed me with your honesty and sincerity. I want to wish you much happiness and joy in all your professional and personal endeavors. G-d Bless.
Thanks for doing what you’ve done, Abigail. Your book was a revelation for me when I found it.
Hey Ms. Garner thank you for your e-mail and I hope and wish you well on your journy. You certainally have done much for fellow peers and anyone interested in this beautiful family arrangement. I know you probably feel you have a purpose and need to fullfill it anyway you can. May God bless you in any of your future roads and crossroads. Thank you again for your incite and your giving of yourself. Take care and hope you get all you deserve in this Great wonderful …scary world. I myself is raising a son with a beautiful woman and I hope he will be as strong and a beautiful person as you. Bye for now.
Congratulations on your remarkable work over the past ten years. Although our movement will surely miss your professional voice, no doubt you can be proud of your contributions to our families and society as a whole. Thank you for giving so much of yourself - your insights, intelligence, and diligence - to all of us.
Wow! well what a surprise. I wish you all the best in the future where ever life takes you. I know that you’ll be a success and an inspiration to others regardless of what you end up doing.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me personally and countless others. I’m not sure where I’d be today if I hadn’t found you. Your work has certainly helped breath life into me and my family, the healing still amazes me today. If I can ever be of assisatance to you in the future please never hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for being a friend and an inspiration.
Much love
Danny
XXX
Dear Abigail,
I for one, will truly miss your newsletters. However, I understand the choice you are making and my support goes out to you. I wish for you and your future, all the success in the world. May God continue to bless you and take care of you. It was great meeting you when you came to our Omaha PFLAG meeting a couple of years ago. I’m sure that your voice will be heard, if only from the sideline. You have done such a wonderful job at what you do best, including the publishing of your book. Godspeed.
Venetia
Best wishes for your retirement. Be very proud of the work you have done.
While I’m sad for the Queerspawn movement, I’m glad to hear that you are doing what you need for yourself. I’m sure it was a difficult decision. But congrats to you for taking the leap into the next phase of your career!
Best wishes to you and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me feel like - finally, at age 37 - that I’m not alone after all.
Your newsletters will be missed.
Abigail,
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the queerspawn movement! I was truly inspired after having met you at Query Booksellers in NE Mpls. I purchased two copies of your book to give to each of my boys.
I wish you continued success in your future endeavors!!
thank you for your many years of working as an advocate and friend. I was so happy to meet you many years ago at the U. of Illinois Midwest LGBTQTT… event. I have recommended your book to my children to read as we grow into being a different sort of family with both straight and queer parents. Best wishes for your new career in Minnesota.
Abigail
You have been a patient, intelligent, responsible and witty teacher to all of us who want to see a more equitable, inclusive and just world for all people. You have given us words so that we may be more articulate when we speak of our families. You have helped us to bring a productive focus to many issues in the LGBTcommunity, especially those that affect our children and grandchildren.Most importantly, you have modeled what it means to be courageous in our time. Your example of speaking out will empower many of us to respond to discussions and social interactions that impact the LGBT community with thoughtfulness and educated passion. Thank you! Love,
Best wishes for all the future holds, Abigail. Your work and passion have been and will continue to inspire!
maria
xxx
Good luck to you. Thanks for all your good work on behalf of LGBT-led families. Your impact has been significant and will continue to be felt long after your “retirement” date.
Remember to have fun on your next adventure!
All best,
Claudia
Good luck as you transition to new beginnings! I appreciate all the hard work you have done over the past years! I know it is more than a “full time” job!
Dear Ms Garner,
We’re sorry that youu fired yourself. Your newsletter and articles were always “Fantastic”.
Good Luck on your new project.
Sincerely,
Lourdes Soto
Past President
PFLAG Vero Beach
Florida
Best wishes to you and yours. :D
I just want to say thank you for all the hard work and everything you’ve done over the years.
I hope your transition goes smoothly and is rewarding in all possible aspects. Making big changes in your life is not an easy decision and I wish you the best in whatever endeavors come next. I am sure you will be ultra successful in whatever you do next.
What a brave decision — and a wise one too, I think. You’ve done great work — launched a movement really — and can be very proud of yourself. I’ll be very interested in what you decide to do next.
You are a bright, articulate, motivated woman who I am convinced will have no trouble finding a suitable “next chapter” in your life. Hope everything is going well and that you will continue to grow and prosper.