Showing results by narrator "Jacob Tobia" in All Categories

The people of ancient Sumer are gathered to celebrate the rite of the Sacred Marriage, a joyous and glorious testament to the unity of Goddess and Man. Times are tough, crops are failing, and this year’s ceremony holds special significance. But for the priestess Simi, the fertility rite is very personal. Because it is Simi who will be locked in a room with a stranger to carry out the blessed responsibilities. Only this time, the stranger is no stranger at all....

As a young child in North Carolina, Jacob Tobia wasn't the wrong gender, they just had too much of the stuff. Barbies? Yes. Playing with bugs? Absolutely. Getting muddy? Please. Princess dresses? You betcha. Jacob wanted it all, but because they were "a boy", they were told they could only have the masculine half. Acting feminine labelled them "a sissy" and brought social isolation. It took Jacob years to discover that being "a sissy" isn't something to be ashamed of. It's a source of pride.