In this mind-expanding conversation, Jaimie sits down with Maya Gonzalez — genderqueer artist, author, publisher, educator, parent, and creator of The Gender Wheel — an innovative, nature-based framework that reimagines how we understand gender, identity, and self.
Maya takes us through their lifelong work of blending art, research, and spirit to help kids (and grownups!) move beyond the binary and return to connection — with themselves, with each other, and with nature. They talk about using children’s books, coloring pages, and even escape-room–style workshops to teach inclusivity and embodiment in playful, accessible ways.
The two also dive deep into Maya’s queer family-building journey, from early-2000s home inseminations and complicated co-parenting dynamics to creating a second, deeply grounded family years later. Through it all, Maya’s story is a testament to healing, love, and radical compassion — even for those who’ve caused harm.
Sponsored by California Cryobank—use code QueerFam25 for a free Level 2 catalog subscription (and a discount on Level 3). Make those babies; then come tell me about them.
🏳️🌈 Key Takeaways
- The Gender Wheel helps us understand gender as part of a natural, interconnected system — beyond binaries and labels.
- Kids intuitively get nonbinary and fluid concepts when we approach them through play and nature.
- Trauma and patriarchy have distorted how we see gender; reconnecting to embodiment and nature helps us heal.
- Queer, trans, and intersex people have always existed — and have always been sacred keepers of connection and continuum.
- Maya’s family story shows both the beauty and complexity of queer parenting before legal protections existed.
- Compassion is essential — even when it’s hard. As Maya says, “People are good at heart; they’ve just been damaged by the system.”
🏳️🌈 About the Guest(s)🏳️🌈
Maya Gonzalez (they/she) is a genderqueer Chicanx artist, author, and educator based in San Francisco. They’re the creator of The Gender Wheel, a nature-based framework for understanding gender diversity and inclusion. Through their independent publishing house Reflection Press, Maya has authored and illustrated dozens of children’s books — including They, She, He, Me: Free to Be, They, She, He, Easy as ABC, The Gender Wheel, and The Gender and Infinity Book.
Maya also runs online and in-person workshops and a Patreon-based school focused on expanding gender education through creativity, embodiment, and play.
🩷 Jaimie’s Life Update
Life is life-ing hard for the Kelwoods! Anne is nearing the end of radiation (almost done 🎉), Jaimie just had uterine surgery to remove endometriosis after 10 years of misdiagnosis, and their 11-year-old recently fractured her ankle. But through it all, they’re finding gratitude, humor, and resilience.
🏳️🌈 Thanks to our sponsor California Cryobank!
If you’re listening to this show, there’s a good chance you’re building your family the queer way — and might need a little help in the sperm department. 🩵 Use code QUEERFAM25 at cryobank.com for a FREE Level 2 subscription to their donor catalog!
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🏳️🌈 Edited by: Jerson Barajas 🏳️🌈 Theme Song by: Tiffany Topol 🏳️🌈 Logo by: Daneen
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