The Bureau presents the book launch of MY SON WEARS HEELS, a memoir by Brooklyn author Julie Tarney about her experiences raising a gender-nonconforming child of the ‘90s and what she learned from him along the way about gender identity, gender expression and self-acceptance. She’ll be joined in conversation by JamesMichael Nichols, Deputy Editor of Queer Voices at the Huffington Post, and her son, Harry James Hanson (aka Amber Alert).

“Tarney does an exceptional job of tracing the zigzagging line of [her child] Harry’s self-identity and recalling the inevitable questions asked along the way.” —New York Times Book Review

“A memorable account of one young person’s journey toward self-identity and a valuable parenting guide for a new era of gender awareness and acceptance.”—Foreword Reviews

“An exciting, exhilarating account of parenting a remarkably savvy and self-possessed girly-boy.” —Will Fellows, author of Farm Boys

“A fearlessly open and frank memoir.” —Kirkus Reviews

Julie Tarney is a board member for the It Gets Better Project, blogs for the Huffington Post Queer Voices page, and is a contributing writer for My Kid Is Gay and the True Colors Fund’s Give a Damn Campaign. She volunteers for the PFLAG Safe Schools Program. Julie lives in Brooklyn, where she’s also her drag artist son’s biggest fan. Visit julietarney.com

JamesMichael Nichols is a queer writer and cultural critic living and working in New York City. He is the Deputy Editor for the Huffington Post Queer Voices section, with his work focusing heavily on gender, sexuality, art, performance and the many ways of being in the world across the spectrum of queer and trans identity. Hailing from the South, he is committed to both elevating the voices of the marginalized and to helping build a world that we all want to actually live in. Twitter: @jamesmichael

Harry James Hanson is an artist known for his powerful imagery, compelling compositions and provocative interviews. Whether working in photography, video or the written word, his desire to tell stories and affirm individualistic beauty reveals a sublime vision of the world. Harry and his work have been featured in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, MTV News, The Village Voice, The Daily Mail, Paper Magazine and numerous independent publications. By night, she can often be found on stage in Brooklyn as drag artist Amber Alert. Visit harryjameshanson.com