One of the inspirations for "A Kid Named Syd", and there are so many more...

Lyle was my favorite cousin.

He was in the Navy, he was smart, and he was gay.

He got AIDS in the 80’s, he lived in DC and was a part of the initial trials for AZT.

At that time the dosages were experimental, a lot was learned during the trial.

Lyle gave his life to help others.  As a result, he is a hero for many.

His inspiration lives on.  He lived out loud.  He wore his flip flops proud.

So many of his sisters wanted him to be straight because he was such a good looking man.

Eventually after many blind dates, he told his sisters,

“Please stop setting me up for blind dates because you know what I like.”

I loved him for being true to himself.  Inviting others to see him for who he was,

Thus inspiring the need for each of us to be seen for who we are.

Our fearlessness to stand up is the reason we are here. You are the Brightest Star.

Teaching about Gender Diversity

I am just as excited about black history being taught in schools as I am about gender diversity being taught in schools. In 2019, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill 346 requiring all schools in the state of Illinois to include the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country in official textbooks.

Illinois State Senator Heather Steans said one of the best ways to overcome intolerance it through education and exposure to different people and viewpoints.

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/456988-illinois-passes-law-requiring-lgbt-history-curriculum-be-taught-in

Peace, C. King, MD

Who is Syd?

What a great question. Syd is the kid in everyone’s world who doesn’t fit the gender norms. Just think about it, 100 years ago, many of us would not fit the gender norms. For example, I am a doctor, a golfer, a boater, and a girl. I wear pants to work most of the time. All of these behaviors, break gender stereotypes of 100 years ago. Thank goodness, I wasn’t born then. Yet, everyday someone is being questioned about their interest in a “boy only” or “girl only” thing. This is the reason we created this book, “A Kid Named Syd”. Everyone wants to identify as the person they are. Then we all want to be loved and celebrated for that identity.

Syd is not really shown in the book, intentionally. We want everyone reading, “A Kid Named Syd”, to see themselves in Syd. Each of us have a little something about us that makes us question our greatness. Syd was that kid. As we follow his journey, Syd realizes that play is a universal language. “Syd learned to play with kids having fun, Syd did not exclude playing with anyone.” It is this fundamental language of play, that will help us build a more civil world, where people learn how to play and work together.

Peace, C. King, MD