The Importance of Uncles:
More Faerie Tales from the
Rainbow Library  

BY NETH URKIEL-TAYLOR

ncles 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 with-
out shame?

Mary Kate Morgan has
written a wonderful book entitled
Losing Uncle Tim. This book is
about disease, death, and the rela-
tionship between Uncle Tim and
his nephew Daniel. Moreover, it
is Daniel’s story of the process he
goes through in understanding

Can you afford to ignore it?

AIDS as an illness. Neither the
author nor the illustrator ever
hints at the sexual identity of
Uncle Tim. He is simply a bache-
lor 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 grandfa-
ther patriarch of the family makes
it clear the gay couple is unwel-
come to attend his and his wife’s
wedding anniversary. In Elly’s
thought, “It wasn’t fair. Cousin
Rob is bringing his girlfriend and

 H|

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 explana-
tion, author Judith Vigna chal-
lenges 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 ‘boyfi'iend’ and

‘ ‘girlfriend.’

V .

Vermont AIDS Hotline

1.800.882.A|DS
TTY 1.800.319.3141

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, accept-
ance 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 aplen-
ty. This book adds a whole new
meaning to the term ‘fruit
leathers.’ V

Neth is currently involved in The
Rainbow Library, a Vermont

 

resource for queer-themed picture
books, videos, and family inf0r- V
motion. Library stafi’ 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 bibliog-
raphy, or to learn more about the
library.

 

 

*. ;To learn
C more about: gr
I - HIV testing T

- Benefits of

E: knowing

1 your HIV

8 status

CE - Treatment,

(of; support and

3 counseling

3 options

§

I Call Vermont
AIDS Hotline:

1-300-
882- to

AIDS