Allow Me to (re)Introduce Myself!

Giving you all a better sense of who I am, what I'm about, and the change I'm hoping to make with this newsletter.

Hello there, lovely readers!

Since I've had so many folks join lately, and as I've been thinking big-picture about the kinds of difference I'm best equipped to make in this world, this seems like as good a time as any to (re)introduce myself and my goals with this publication!

Whether you've been here from the start, are a recent subscriber, or are snooping around deciding if this is writing worth reading, I'm so glad you're here!

A Little About Me:

My name is Ben Greene! I am a transgender advocate living in Missouri. On the professional side of things, I've been working as a public speaker specializing in transgender and LGBTQ+ inclusion since 2020. I've spoken internationally for audiences ranging from thousands at workplace summits to a handful of passionate parents at a support group, and have spent countless hours supporting the parents of newly out trans kids. (Psst… If you want to learn more about connecting for an event, check out my website!)

Ben signing copies of his book at a Barnes and Noble in New York City! So glamorous!

Last May, I published my first book: "My Child is Trans, Now What? A Joy-Centered Approach to Support", which draws heavily on my joyful outlook and the story of my own transition at the age of 15.

I've had the privilege of learning from some amazing advocates in my travels, and have been able to give free presentations for over 100 PFLAG chapters (and I wrote this cute piece about what those presentations have meant to me over the years).

I'm an active political advocate here in Missouri, and have spent almost 2 years as the advocacy chair of my local PFLAG chapter. I'm so passionate about helping others learn about the impact they can have on the world!

I have been working in advocacy in many different forms throughout my life, and have spent a decade finding ways to fight for a better world. With each day that passes, I become more committed to choosing joy, building a joyful future, and helping others learn to do the same.

I'm also a huge nerd for all things fantasy and D&D, read as much as I breathe, am obsessed with my wife (who's about to graduate and become a Pediatrician!), and am the proud dog-dad to this newsletter's Chief Barketing Officer, Oliver.

CBO Oliver getting ready to deliver my quarterly performance review in the classic business-bro vest. Surprising no one, the review mentioned a treat-giving deficiency.

The Origins of Good Queer News:

Around the same time my book came out, I began a year-long Novel Immersive for LGBTQ+ writers led by the brilliant Milo Todd (and everyone should go pre-order his gorgeous debut novel about trans folks during WWII!). While I was hard at work on a fantasy novel, I was also neck deep in advocacy work and thought it might be helpful to start each class by sharing a notes app list of all the good queer news stories that weren't making major headlines.

After weeks of their urging, I decided to create this Substack so I could share the good queer news stories I was reading beyond just pictures of headlines on instagram slides—I wanted to be able to dig deep into the nuance, the hope, and what these stories meant to me. While I still love sharing "Good News Roundups" as they come, I have also fallen in love with writing deeper dives on what it means to have hope and joy in times like these. In sharing my dreams for the future and the defiantly joyful paths I believe will get us there.

In such a short time, I am so moved by what I have been able to build here, and all of the reader and subscriber notes I receive, I hold very close to my heart. Here are a few of my favorites.

Thank you so much for all the work you are doing. I have been recommending this to EVERYONE i come across, basically. I'm a therapist and I work with a lot of younger queer/trans people who are afraid to fight, who don't know how, who are very quick to give up hope. This newsletter has made a real difference, for them and for me. <3

We have a trans son, and your newsletter gives me hope for his future and helps me understand the cultural and political issues that affect him. We want to do everything we can to support him. Thank you 🙏

My adult child is transitioning and I wish to be the best ally I can be. I first heard you at a Pflag meeting, then read your book. Then someone shared your Good Queer News. I appreciate your optimism and joy in the midst of everything and I look forward to hearing it every week.

My Goals with this Publication:

• Share good news stories by and about the LGBTQ+ community that aren't making major headlines elsewhere to remind all of us that the world is not, in fact, ending

• Share concrete strategies for resilience, advocacy, hope, community building, and joy even (and especially) in challenging moments

• Provide a source of positivity and hope during painful moments for our community

• Help trans folks and allies better learn how to engage with the media, avoid fearmongering, and find their advocacy superpower!

• Get people to read my favorite books :)

• I'd also love to know what your goals are for subscribing! I'd love it if you could comment on this post or respond to this email to let me know what kinds of things you're most looking for right now. How can I add some light to your life?

What's the Deal with the Paid Upgrade?

Great question, reader! In short: this is an optional way for folks who have the flexibility to do so to support my work. I spend hours every week writing these articles, which are drawn from a decade of expertise and experience in advocacy. When I have more financial flexibility, I can spend more time writing, hosting free public events, and providing free support to parents and families of trans kids.

Fun fact: you can also send gift subscriptions to your favorite people!

I intend to keep this content as accessible as possible, and will have at least one free article every week. Paid subscribers will get access to deeper dives into my own story or more labor-intensive articles on advocacy, allyship, and resilience. 30 days after publication, those articles will become available to free subscribers too! Also:

• If you send me some proof that you've bought or read (libraries and ebooks count!) my book, I'll comp you 3 months free. If you send me a screenshot of a review you leave for my book on the platform(s) of your choosing, that gets you up to a 6 month comp!

• You can also just ask for a paid subscription. I'm not any kind of conniving businessman; If my writing plays an important role in your mental health and a subscription is not in your budget but would make a difference for you, I WANT to give you a free subscription. This isn't a trap. Just ask me :)

That's All From Me (For Now!)

In case you're on the fence, I hope you decide to stick around.

It also means so much to me to hear about folks recommending this newsletter to their friends and loved ones. Please feel free to share this far and wide and help more folks join us in building the joyful future we deserve. (P.S. If you get three friends to sign up, Substack will automatically grant you a free upgrade to paid tier!)

With all the love in my heart,

Ben