Love, Words, and Wings: A Story of Healing and Pride

As a child, I grew up with a debilitating illness called Ménière’s Disease, a disorder of the inner ear that usually affects older adults. It caused me severe dizziness, nausea, a loss of balance, and eventually hearing loss. I missed countless days of school because of it, which left me feeling isolated and different.

At nine years old, I discovered creative writing—and it became my medicine. Through writing fiction, I found freedom and relief from the chaos of my body. Writing gave me confidence and hope when real life felt overwhelming. Creating imaginary worlds helped me feel whole, even as I struggled with the reality of an unpredictable illness.

By my teen years, I realized I was different in another way—something I didn’t yet have the words for. At thirteen, I knew I wasn’t like the other girls around me, but I kept that secret to myself. My early teens were filled with emotional turmoil and guilt. I didn’t know how to name what I was feeling, only that I was ashamed and afraid of being judged.

When I was sixteen, I finally learned about the LGBTQ+ community. For the first time, I had a name for what I was experiencing—and it was both terrifying and liberating. But I worried about my parents. How could I tell them that their only child, who was already sick so often, was also gay? I didn’t want to burden them further.

In 1997, when Ellen DeGeneres came out publicly, I was twenty-four years old. I had a girlfriend at the time and was preparing to move out, but I still hadn’t told my parents. Ellen’s bravery gave me the courage to finally share my truth. My plan was to ease into the conversation with my parents by mentioning Ellen’s story first, then tell my own. But before I could, my mom tossed a book onto my bed called "Catholic Lesbians." I was utterly shocked then we both burst into laughter. That moment broke the tension—and my secret was finally out.

Years later, I finally found my soulmate and in 2015, I married the love of my life. Our wedding was in Long Beach, California where we were surrounded by family and friends. It was the most beautiful day of my life, the day I felt whole and complete and my family—once a source of my deepest fears—was joyful and supportive.

I’ll never forget my little cousin as our flower girl, wearing fairy wings as she walked down the aisle tossing rose pedals. She was only six years old when she learned I was marrying a woman. Her innocent response—“That’s silly!”—made me laugh, but it also stung at the same time. All she knew at the time was that princesses married princes in Disney movies. With the help of our supportive family, she came to understand that people love who they love and that there are different types of families, and all deserve respect and kindness.

Watching my little cousin who I call my neice, grow up to love and accept my wife without hesitation has been one of my greatest blessings. Of course, I often worried throughout the years whether she might be teased for having two gay aunts, and those thoughts planted the seed for my mission which has finally come to fruition—to empower children with LGBTQ+ parents and family with the tools they need to stand up to adversity, feel seen, and celebrated.

After publishing my empowering middle-grade novel, Amberly and the Secret of the Fairy Warriors—a story about a fairy warrior with a paralyzed wing who longs to fly and finds the courage to overcome adversity—I realized my calling had grown even bigger. Not only did I want to empower girls; I also wanted to uplift kids with rainbow families, too. That’s when I created WhimziePop Empowerment: Expressive Writing, Fiction, and Art for Children with LGBTQ+ Parents and Family, and our new fairy sibling writing coaches Rowan and Willow PrismFeather who were adopted by two fairy moms were born!

Through magical, social-emotional storytelling adventures, expressive writing activities, and colorful art, WhimziePop helps kids build confidence, celebrate their families, and discover the power of their own voice.

✨ I’m especially excited about my upcoming expressive writing and art activities designed to support kids with LGBTQ+ parents and family in navigating challenges like bullying. In the meantime, my newest book—WhimziePop Empowerment Scripts: A SEL, Expressive Screenwriting and Art Adventure—is available now on Barnes & Noble! This middle-grade, heart-centered book inspired by my love of screenwriting, blends screenwriting, journaling, expressive art, and social-emotional learning, all wrapped in a whimsical world of fairy guides and magical creatures. Each chapter invites kids to help fantasy friends like unicorns, trolls, dragons, and phoenixes work through challenges using imagination, empathy, and brave new thoughts.

I’m so excited for this next chapter of the journey—and to be part of a growing movement that celebrates and empowers rainbow families everywhere. 🌈💜

Gina Vallance xoxo