I am writing in response to Garren Bugh’s letter concerning Sean Dennison and his decision to live as a male. It is evident that Mr. Bugh does not know Sean or his son. As someone who does, perhaps I can respond to his concerns.

I knew Sean for several years when he lived as a woman. She was a single mother and a full-time student, a difficult combination at the best.

She struck me as an unusually caring parent then, and having spent some time with him and his son during this transition, I am again impressed at his parenting skills.

I saw no trauma or scars in his son, but I did see a young boy who has a solid and loving relationship with his daddy.

All parents struggle with the impacts of their decisions on their children. A person who was abused as a child, for example, might wonder whether it is fair to go through the struggle of therapy while raising a small child.

I submit that a whole person makes a better parent. In Sean’s case, not having to live a contradiction freed him to be a better parent. A man who has resolved his own identity is better equipped for the challenges of childrearing than one who struggles daily within himself.

I applaud the LGBTA for inviting a challenging and thoughtful speaker to help educate the community on issues of sexual identity and personal integrity.

Dr. Robert Ewing

Research associate

Department of Agronomy