04/28/2008

SOFFA ANTHOLOGY
Call for Submissions (from partners/family/friends of transgender and/or gender variant individuals)

Mission Statement: to produce an edited volume of the "think-alouds" of
significant others, family members, friends, and allies (SOFFAs) on
their relationships with transgender and/or gender variant individuals
and to provide a resource for the transgender community and their SOFFAs.

We are now seeking submissions for an edited volume on reflective
experiences of significant others, family members, friends and allies
(SOFFAs) of transgender and/or gender variant individuals. This
anthology is designed to be a resource for transgender and/or gender
variant communities while serving to reach and support SOFFAs as they
watch a loved one transition or journey through gender non-conformity.
We are also interested in individuals who have entered into a
relationship with a transgender person who is post transition. This
volume seeks to offer quality "think-alouds" on the relationships
between transgender and/or gender variants and their loved ones, with
the philosophy that there is no single right answer to how a SOFFA
should feel or process their emotions, identifies or feelings. This
anthology is designed to be a positive resource for the transgender
and/or gender variant community and their SOFFAs. We encourage the
submissions to be respectful, but also for SOFFAs to document their
pain, frustration, confusion and identity struggles or lack there of.
The transition or gender non-conformity journey of a loved one often
generates an individual journey for SOFFAs that has yet to be
documented. This process may be extremely difficult or wonderfully
beautiful, we would like representation of both.

We are interested in narratives and stories of personal reflection,
transformation, identity challenge and overall development regarding the
connection to a transgender and/or gender variant person(s). Significant
others, family members, friends, allies (SOFFAs), children, co-workers,
teachers, and medical professionals of transgender and/or gender variant
individuals are encouraged to submit pieces. We are looking for
thoughtful and authentic responses/personal narratives/stories
(1,200-4,000 words).

Guiding Questions for SOFFAs to Consider: (These are thought provoking
questions. You DO NOT need to address any of these questions. They are
designed to help in the brainstorming/writing process).
-Has my identity transformed as my loved one has changed? If not, why?
-How has my identity transformed as my loved one has changed?
-What have I realized during my trans loved one's transition?
-How did I feel when my trans loved one revealed his/her trans status to
me?
-How has my loved one's body image issues impacted me?
-Do I have a story that sums up my relationship with my trans loved one?
(pre, post or non-transition)
-What were my biggest fears, frustrations, joys when my loved one shared
their trans identity with me? (pre, post or non-transition)
-What have been my biggest fears, frustrations, and joys as a parent of
a trans kid?
-What are some issues/things (good or bad) I have faced as a child of a
transgender or gender non-conforming person?
-What has been helpful in processing my own emotions, identity and
realizations as it relates to my trans loved one?
-As a significant other, what terms have I used to identify myself and
describe my relationship with a trans/gender variant person?
-How have a dealt with disclosure with my friends and family regarding
my relationship with a trans or gender non-conforming person?
-How can I talk about my loved one's experience to others without
negating his/her identity?
-What are some of the ways I have resolved my identity issues as a SOFFA?
-If you feel that the identity of a trans loved one has not impacted
you, please submit a piece explaining this.
-How do I view sex, gender and sexuality? Are they biological? Social?
Or does it matter? How did I come to my current understanding?

We are interested in all types of relationships romantic and
non-romantic including monogamous, poly, gay, straight, queer, bisexual,
transgender individuals in relationships with other transgender
individuals, student/teacher, client/professional, child/parent,
siblings, co-workers, clergy, etc. The goal is to have a collective mix
of experiences. We do not expect submissions to be perfect. We will work
with the authors of chosen submissions to formulate quality publishable
pieces.

We are not interested in:
Poetry, fiction, paintings, drawings, sculpture

Submission Guidelines:
-Please send submissions to asoffa@gmail.com
-subject line 'SOFFA Submission'
-Please send work in an attachment (word)
-12-point courier
-Include 55-65 word bio to appear in the contributor's notes section if
your work is accepted
-No previously published or simultaneously submitted material.
-1,200-4,000 words.
-Submissions must be received by July 1, 2008 to be considered.
-If you have further questions regarding this submission request please
email your inquiries to asoffa@gmail.com with the subject line 'Question'

The editors and longtime friends, Eleanor A. Hubbard, Ph.D. and Cameron
Thomas Whitley, BA, have extensive personal and professional experience
with the transgender and/or gender non-conforming communities. Cameron
is a trans guy currently living in NYC and working as a financial
officer. While in college Cameron founded a student support/social group
for gender non-conformers. He has served as a board member for several
non-profit organizations advocating for transgender awareness and
equality. Utilizing his passion for social awareness and trans issues he
has presented at several national conferences. Eleanor Hubbard recently
retired from her post as a Senior Instructor in the Department of
Sociology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She was well noted
for her courses relating to the intersections of sex, gender, sexuality,
race and the media. Beyond teaching, she is the Founder and CEO of
DiversityWorks, a Diversity Training and Consulting Firm. Eleanor and
Cameron joined forces to create this book as they both recognized a gap
in the literature to help significant others, family members, friends
and allies come to terms with the transition or gender non-conformity of
a loved one.