“‘If you have to change into something, why can’t it be a cat?’ I wasn’t really ready for that question.”

Les GrantSmith recalling his then 10-year-old daughter Amanda’s reaction when he explained he would be transitioning from female to male.

You can’t help but smile reading the above quote by Les GrantSmith, subject of this week’s cover story, “Mother Courage: Portrait of a Transgender Mom.”

Married mother of two, GrantSmith speaks to the Gay & Lesbian Times about his decision to transition from female to male, redefining conventional thinking about what it means to be a mother in the process.

But this story is not about Les alone. His partner, Scott, and two daughters, Amanda and Thea, share their thoughts and personal struggles with mom’s new identity.

Thea, for example, says: “I remember saying to my dad that I thought being a mom equaled being a woman, and I wondered how my dad could still love [Les]. He just said that he fell in love with Les because he was Les, not because of some label. It was really interesting to hear that a person can be a mom no matter what gender they are, and that someone can continue to love them no matter what gender they need to be.”

The result is a fascinating perspective that challenges you to think beyond assigned gender roles, and everything you thought you knew about what it means to be transgender.

Take a moment to read about the GrantSmith family, just one of the many remarkable stories that characterize our community this Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day in San Diego’s GLBT community would not be complete without Mama’s Kitchen annual fund-raiser, Mama’s Day. Now in its 16th year, Mama’s Day is the signature fund-raising event for Mama’s Kitchen, a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization that prepares and delivers food to men, women and children who are affected by AIDS and other critical illness.

A community favorite, Mama’s Day brings 70 of San Diego’s top chefs together for one amazing night under the stars at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla.

This year’s theme is “Mama Loves Mambo,” and will include a silent auction, music by DJ Tim Altbaum and, of course, the fabulous tastes of San Diego.

Mama’s Day is Friday, May 11, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mamaskitchen.org.

If Mother’s Day has you thinking about becoming a parent, or if you already are, make sure to attend Family Matters’ annual parenting conference and resource fair Saturday, June 2.

The 12th annual event, “Creating Your Family,” will include presentations on a range of issues of interest to those considering parenthood, as well as GLBT parents. Workshop topics include single parenting, domestic adoption and foster care, international adoption, surrogacy, IVF and other biological options, legal issues, blended families, and school and child care issues.

For more information, contact Marci Bair at 619-692-2077, ext. 121, or e-mail mbair@thecentersd.org.

Happy Mother’s Day!