Following the death of his transgender son Adam, author Rick Prashaw worked through his grief by putting pen to paper.
Prashaw, who is from North Bay, is a former journalist, Roman Catholic priest, social justice advocate, and staffer to members of Parliament. Since 2014, he has been a fierce advocate for transgender human rights and organ donor registration.
His most recent book – Father Rick, Roamin’ Catholic – is Prashaw’s second memoir. His first, Soar, Adam, Soar, is based on the life of his transgender son Adam, who drowned in 2016 at 22 years old after having an epileptic seizure while in a hot tub.
The Ottawa-based author gave a talk at the Collingwood Public Library on July 13 as part of this year’s Collingwood Pride festivities to discuss the intersectionality between religion and LGBTQ rights. Prashaw said he was inspired to give a talk during Collingwood Pride to honour his son.
“Pride Week was my son Adam’s happy place,” Prashaw said, noting he has family in the Collingwood area and has visited regularly over the past 40 years.
“I wanted to offer solidarity to the vulnerable (LGBTQ+) individuals facing harassment,” he said.
Prashaw saw writing his memoirs as a natural progression following his experience as a priest.
“I never could shut up,” said Prashaw, with a laugh. “We all have a story that begs an audience.”
Following the release of his first memoir, Prashaw toured 35 cities across four provinces with the book.
“I talked about Adam with the media and met so many people in the Pride communities,” he said. “[I began] to understand the beauty of the rainbow. I can’t presume that everyone has Adam’s story. There is diversity in transgender and non-binary people’s (experience).”
“I think I should have written books sooner.”
Prashaw says he was touched by what he calls ‘love notes’ from readers, many who shared their experiences struggling with their own faith and identity.
“I write my own love notes back,” he said.
Prashaw says his talk will cover topics such as avoiding labelling and his own journey to grapple with his faith.
“Religion, pastors and believers get selective on dipping into ancient texts that support their world views,” he said. “Jesus had a love that embraced everyone, but pastors with egos may slip into conservative universes, sidelining Jesus’s teaching.”
“People of faith in the LGBTQ community are crushed by that rejection.”
In his latest book, Prashaw says he revisits Adam’s story from a faith lens. The book also covers topics such as clergy abuse, residential schools and the diminished role of women in the church.
“As I did Soar, Adam, Soar events, the questions inevitably asked how I was a good priest who became a proud father of a trans son,” he said.
