In 2014, La Leche League International changed its policy about the eligibility of Leader (volunteer) Applicants to be inclusive of all gender identities. As a result of the rule change, I was able
to apply, and I went through La Leche League Canada’s (LLLC) thorough and
fantastic training, becoming accredited as a Leader two weeks ago. I am
grateful to the Leader who supported me and spent many hours answering my
questions, and to the Leader at the Accreditation Department who guided me with
patience and kindness and kept me on track.
LLL’s updated policy came in advance of federal legislation proposed by the Government of Canada to protect transgender Canadians from discrimination. This quote from a message sent by LLLC to its
Leaders shows the confident position La Leche League has taken on this issue
(reprinted here with permission):
“We recognize that any breastfeeding parent, regardless of whether
they self-identify as a mother or father, should be - and is now - welcome to
investigate LLL Leadership. There are other prerequisites that a potential
Leader needs to satisfy, but being a woman isn't one of them.”
La Leche League is the world’s best
breastfeeding peer support organization – this was the reason I wanted to
become a Leader when I first asked about applying, and it is why I am so proud
to join other Leaders in serving breastfeeding families. Leaders assist more
than 20,000 families across Canada each year, using carefully compiled
resources.
I feel I truly found my community when I
found La Leche League. LLL is one place where I know I will be accepted with my
breastfeeding toddler and where my nursing relationship with my child will always
be valued. In fact, I believe I have felt more criticism around nursing an “older”*
child in public than for nursing as a man. And that really speaks to why we
still desperately need LLL, and why it was founded sixty years ago. We need to
continue sharing information and resources around breastfeeding and the
breastfeeding relationship with those who come in search of support in the
context of a culture that continues to marginalize breastfeeding.
* “older”
is in quotes, because we are talking here about anyone over the age of one. But
let’s face it: two- and three-year-olds are simply not “older”!
Trevor, as a retired Leader, I was really disheartened to see your post with the rejection letter (I experienced questions about suitability as a leader because I returned to work and provided pumped milk for the time my daughter was in childcare while I worked), you will be a fantastic support, advocate and educator for breastfeeding/chestfeeding parents. And you are not nursing an older child, two and three year old are not older, you are being a role model for nurturing and meeting the needs of your children.
ReplyDeleteWell done sir, well done.
Ruth
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to read that you found your community in La Leche League. That is exactly how I felt in 1985, when I needed not just breastfeeding information and support but also support in becoming the kind of nonviolent parent I wanted to be. The few years I spent as a retired Leader made me realize all over again how valuable La Leche League is in my life, so I reactivated in 2009. I look forward to reading more from you on the FB group. Congratulations on your accreditation!
ReplyDeleteSandy Moore-Furneaux
So happy to hear this after reading your story. :-)
ReplyDelete