Jonathan S. Williams is a writer, speaker, and pastor. He currently
serves as the Senior Pastor of Forefront Church in New York, a
progressive church that works to bring a just and generous
Christianity to New York City.
Jonathan S. Williams is a writer, speaker, and pastor. He currently
serves as the Senior Pastor of Forefront Church in New York, a
progressive church that works to bring a just and generous
Christianity to New York City.
Paula Stone Williams is a nationally known speaker on gender equity
and LGBTQ advocacy.She is the Pastor of Preaching and Worship at
Left Hand Church in Longmont, Colorado, and a therapist with RLT
Pathways, Inc.
"She's My Dad is the missing link in the LGBTQ+ narrative. When
Williams discovers that his father is transgender, he is forced to
confront his own identity and, consequently, reevaluate everything
he's ever known to be true. Written with gut-wrenching honesty and
a raw vulnerability that exposes both deep pain and deep
compassion, this gripping memoir of love and loss reveals the
heartache and the beauty of navigating life when a family member
comes out. A much-welcomed addition to the library of LGBTQ+
resources and one I highly recommend!"
--Amber Cantorna, National Speaker, Leader, and Author of
Refocusing My Family and Unashamed: A Coming-Out Guide for LGBTQ
Christians
"In a raw and authentic voice, Jonathan Williams has given us an
intimate look at his journey through his father's transition. This
is a story often overlooked, and one we need to hear. He takes us
all the way through his vulnerable and painful coming-to-terms and
out the other side into the light of a Christianity of radical love
and inclusion--the vision Jesus had in mind all along! For anyone
seeking to understand the broader picture of a family in
transition, this is well worth the read."
--Susan Cottrell, Founder, FreedHearts.org, and Author of "Mom, I'm
Gay" Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith
"Williams confronts the mystery and struggle of what it means to
live a life of truth and authenticity for himself and for his
father. He crisscrosses pronouns and names, shows us that naming is
our way out of isolation, and draws on his experience as a son,
father, husband, and pastor in telling his story. He reminds us
that we belong to each other, that by working through the pain that
sometimes comes with acceptance, we're given new ties that we never
thought possible. This book is important reading for anyone who has
confronted change in their families or a crisis of faith. He also
gives words to the complex experience of having a parent who is
transgender. He articulates how it's possible to both miss someone
as they were and celebrate who they are today. This book is a
gift."
--Heather Bryant, Writer and COLAGE Ambassador
"In She's My Dad, Jonathan Williams manages to honestly capture the
pain and heartbreak he felt during his parent's transition without
discounting the reality of Paula's identity. As someone who has
dealt with family rejection, I kept tensing up as I read, waiting
for the moment when the suffering of these two people would be
pitted against each other--when we'd be forced to see one of them
as the bad guy. Instead, Jonathan and Paula work together to show
us a reality in which two people in difficult circumstances can
journey through pain and toward a new relationship, thanks to a
heavy helping of grace."
--Austen Hartke, Author of Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of
Transgender Christians
"Jonathan and Paula Williams have given us an incredibly valuable
gift. In a time when so many are debating about trans identities,
people's stories bring to life what is truly important--how to love
one another when someone in the family comes out. As the son of a
parent who comes out as trans, Jonathan Williams helps us to see
the deep struggle of grief and denial, and ultimately acceptance.
Meanwhile, Paula shows us what a deeply parental love looks like in
trying to care for one's family while living her own life
truthfully, even if it means losing one's tribe. Through deeply
honest storytelling, Jonathan and Paula Williams have been able to
nuance and humanize the conversation in a way that theology books
never could. Their story is one that needs to be heard, especially
in the evangelical world of this generation."
--Pastor Danny Cortez, Founder, Estuary Space
(estuaryspace.org)
"True human connection happens on the other side of life's deepest
pain. Jonathan Williams gives us an unfiltered window in to his
journey of watching his father transition to a woman, providing us
the hard-earned gift of witnessing true human connection emerge. In
this raw and tear-stained memoir, we follow Jonathan as he
discovers the most unexpected invitation to live in the way of
Jesus, and in choosing the narrow, difficult, painful path, he
shows us all the way to a life worth living."
--Colby Martin, Teaching Pastor, Sojourn Grace Collective, and
Author of UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on
Homosexuality
"When a parent begins living their gender identity authentically,
it impacts the identity of everyone in the family. In She's My Dad,
Jonathan Williams describes the pain of reconceiving his father and
himself, both as individuals and as pastors. Williams's honest
portrayal illustrates how crises can ultimately lead to an
expansion of our understanding of God--reflecting the truth of
Paula Stone Williams's belief that the quest for authenticity is
holy, sacred, and for the greater good. The book is a wonderful
resource for transitioning people, their loved ones, and those who
are exploring how God is working in our era to liberate us from the
trap of tribal theologies."
--Suzanne DeWitt Hall, Author of Transfigured: A 40-Day Journey
through Scripture for Gender-Queer and Transgender People
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