Give and receive

BY CHRISTOPHER KATIS

Santa is busy making his list and checking it twice but let’s be honest, how many people do you know are going to be on the “Nice List”? Looks like it’s up to you to make the holidays bright. Not to worry — Who’s Your Daddy has your back with some great gift ideas for the LGBTQ parents and their rug rats in your life.

As far as I’m concerned, you can’t go wrong with giving books! There are some great new (and old) titles specifically for gay parents and their kids.

For the little ones in your life, consider The GayBCs by M.L. Webb, in which kids will learn that “A” is for ally, “D” stands for drag, and “N” is for non-binary. Meanwhile, Jessica Love’s Julián is a Mermaid is the delightful story of a little boy that wants to transform into something beautiful.

For the young activist try Kid Activists: True Tales of Childhood from Champions of Change by Robin Stevenson, Queer Heroes: Meet 53 LGBTQ Heroes from Past and Present by Arabelle Sicardi, or books about queer history from Rob Sanders — Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag and Stonewall: A Building, an Uprising, a Revolution. Hey, why not both?

Cool tweens will enjoy The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy. This series focuses on the adventures and antics of a couple of brothers, who just happen to have a dad and papa!

For the adults, you can always pick up one of these great books: Pride and Joy: A Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Parents by Rachel and Sara Hagger-Holt, Love Makes a Family by Gigi Kaeser, The Kid by Dan Savage, or Confessions of the Other Mother: Non-Biological Lesbian Moms Tell All by Harlyn Aizley.

All these books are available at THE KING’S ENGLISH BOOKSHOP — if you don’t see it on the shelf, they’ll be glad to order it for you.

Looking for a great stocking stuffer? Check out the offerings at CaféPress or Etsy. They have several terrific coffee mugs that any gay parent would enjoy. Among my favorites are the snarky “Jesus Had Two Dads” and “World’s Gayest Dad.” I also love the inspiring “I Support My Transgender Grandsondaughter” option.

Both sites also offer some cute clothing options as well. What kid wouldn’t be a hit in a T-shirt announcing “Before you ask, they are BOTH my real moms” and “Ain’t No Mamas Like the Ones I Got”? With a wink to the great Dr. Seuss characters, there are also grown-up shirts declaring “Dad 1/Dad 2.” And for the mom-to-be, how about the clever maternity top announcing “Wife, Wife, Baby”? Thinking outside of the traditional gift box, you can always get your favorite daddies or mommies a subscription to Gay Parent Magazine, a national publication focused on supporting and empowering LGBTQ parents and those wishing to become parents. You can get a subscription at gayparentmag.com. (In full transparency, I’ve written for them.)

Another great option is to donate to important organizations like the Family Equality Council, a non-profit whose mission is to advance the rights of LGBTQ familiesfamilyequality.org/ donate, or COLAGE, which works to help LGBTQ parents become skilled, self-confident and just leaders in the community colage.org/donate/. Together they co-host Family Week, a week-long event of fun and programs for families like mine.

I don’t know which of Santa’s lists you’ll be on, but clearly I’m on the pre-approved Nice List — I already received an early holiday gift courtesy of QSaltLake readers: my third FABBY for Best Columnist! Thank you to everyone who voted, I am honored and humbled.

Happy Holidays, everyone!