Arts
A Woman of Many Firsts: Janis Ian
The Importance of Uncles
The
Importance of Uncles
More Faerie Tales from the Rainbow Library
by Neth Urkiel-Taylor
Uncles
seem to be a favorite subject for the queer children's literature market.
Is it because uncles are removed just enough from the roles of parent,
brother, sister, spouse or ourselves to talk about their trials and tribulations
without shame?
Mary Kate Morgan has written a wonderful
book entitled, Losing Uncle Tim. This book is about disease,
death, and the relationship between Uncle Tim and his nephew Daniel. Moreover,
it is Daniel's story of the process he goes through in understanding AIDS
as an illness. Neither the author nor the illustrator ever hints at the
sexual identity of Uncle Tim. He is simply a bachelor and could be gay,
straight, bisexual or transgendered. In this way, we are able to relate
to the emotions of the character's grief and love without a bias.
In My Two Uncles, Elly must come
to terms with the struggle facing her Uncle Ned (her father's brother)
and Ned's friend Uncle Phil. The grandfather patriarch of the family makes
it clear the gay couple is unwelcome to attend his and his wife's wedding
anniversary. In Elly's thought, "It wasn't fair. Cousin Rob is bringing
his girlfriend and Grandma Sue's fiance is coming. Why won't Grampy let
Uncle Ned bring Uncle Phil?" Elly's dad explains to her that sometimes
a man loves a man or a woman loves a woman in a way married couples love
one another.
Without further explanation, author Judith
Vigna challenges us to view the homosexual relationship in terms of a
lifetime sealed with a kiss. This analogy is overly simplistic and an
incorrect comparison. Elly does not learn that queer relationships have
little to no recognition by church or state, and in the 21st century homosexual
relationships are more equal to 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend.'
Even with this glaring flaw in the story
I still believe the situation of homosexuals barred from family gatherings
is well portrayed by this book. My Two Uncles demonstrates to us that
acceptance of queer people can span generations. Even with love and support
from family, acceptance comes in stages and with time for some relatives.
What is mom's brother like? Does he wear
a hat covered with fruit or tight black leather pants? In Uncle What-is-it
Is Coming to Visit!, the children do not know what to expect. Author/illustrator
Michael Willhoite does a superb job of adding all the right stereotypes
to this collective imagination of what is a gay man. For all us queer
folk laughs await us aplenty. This book adds a whole new meaning to the
term 'fruit leathers.'
Neth is currently involved in The Rainbow Library, a Vermont resource
for queer themed picture books, videos, and family information. Library
staff is willing to facilitate reading circles with your friends and family,
group, school or organization. Call 652-0878 to learn how you can become
involved, to get a bibliography, or to learn more about the library.