Trans Mom vs. Family Court: Justice Sees No Gender

About the Project

Trans Mom vs. Family Court: Justice Sees No Gender

‘Trans Mom vs. Family Court: Justice Sees No Gender’ chronicles my transitioning to trans-mother while simultaneously fighting for custody rights in 1995 without an attorney. Trans-stories about love, inclusion and fair laws are needed as witness of our common ground and rightful place in society. I’m sharing my custody battle for the first time publicly to help reframe trans stereotypes and to empower our community and allies against dishonest rhetoric and discriminatory legislation.

Sharing my fight openly risks backlash, but I’m urgently compelled to challenge bias and hate, and to save lives; especially as our President persecutes and tries to erases trans people!

My story highlights how transgender parents face discriminatory scrutiny in custody battles, where ‘best interest of the child’ is often weaponized against them based solely on gender identity. Despite psychological experts confirming that transitioning doesn’t affect parenting abilities, these biases persist in our legal system. Set in the 90’s, it shows that being ‘trans’ isn’t a recent phenomenon.

Transgender rights are revoked daily. As of April 2025, there are 847 anti-transgender bills under consideration nationwide, with 219 actively being considered as of January 17, 2025.

Some of us feel like giving up, fleeing our country – they want us terrified. States like Kentucky and Nevada have terminated parental rights based on gender identity. We cannot bear more parents being separated from their children, more trans suicides, more hate crimes – and more lies.

The issue extends beyond courtrooms into broader civil rights challenges affecting LGBTQIA2S+ communities. As more people live authentically, trans custody disputes increase, forcing some parents to choose between their truth and relationships with their children. This reflects an openly coordinated pattern of attacks – from challenges to same-sex marriage, sports participation, restroom choices, medical treatment and adoption rights to restrictions on discussing gender and sexuality in schools.

These efforts connect with increased surveillance of marginalized groups and attempts to weaken workplace protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Their agenda is ultimately about controlling not just identities, but bodies, voices, and personal freedoms.

At this moment, trans rights are being rolled back decades and our very existence is being undermined.

In 2024;

* 46% of trans and nonbinary youth considered suicide (14% attempted)
* Anti-trans laws increased suicide up to 72%
* At least 32 trans individuals were murdered
* FBI data shows rising LGBTQIA2S+ hate crimes

I’m weaving live looping, reenactment, courtroom audio and transcripts, my music and photographs to entertain, educate, motivate and unify. My story demonstrates that authenticity and equal rights are as valid for trans people as for cis people.

This is my first Fringe play and the potential impact demands that my story be shared. I truly appreciate your support for my play and for our community!

Anyone under 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
There is no violence, ideations or profanity but there are contextual sexual references.