Philadelphia mother nadeen “mothasistah” herring is the mom of a transgender son, Z. While first learning of that fact wasn’t easy to navigate, she has embraced it and is now helping others do the same, writes Josh Sanders for CBS News Philadelphia.

When she first learned of it, she started looking for resources to help understand the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity.

The term “transgender” wasn’t a familiar one to her at the time.

She has since written two books as a resource.

Beyond that, she realized her family’s story could fill a need for others. 

“There were no books that reflected a Black family going through the trials and tribulations we were going through, and so then I finally just said, ‘Wait a minute, I write. Let me write our story,'” herring said. 

Transgender stories have been under attack, as this year, more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills across the country have been introduced targeting the transgender community, according to the ACLU.

For herring, she hopes her books can shine a light on people like her son and their families.

“I want them to live the life that they deserve and have created in a peace that is not dependent on other people’s approval, opinion, or their needs,” herring said.

Read more about nadeen “mothasistah” herring and how she helps families in CBS News Philadelphia.

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