And the Dragons Do Come

Raising a Transgender Kid in Rural America

By: Sim Butler

Narrated by: David de Vries

A gripping account of one family’s battle to protect their daughter against transphobia and hate in contemporary America

Our country stands at a critical cultural crossroads, with a wave of anti-trans legislation emerging at unprecedented levels, targeting trans children, in particular, who face increasing stigmatization and erasure. Sim Butler’s And the Dragons Do Come is a poignant account of one family’s experience of parenting and supporting a trans child against this nightmarish backdrop.

In recent years, the Butler family faced an impossible reality in their home state of Alabama, where trans rights are increasingly under attack. Butler recounts their family’s struggles and sacrifices to protect their trans child against the barrage of state-sanctioned intolerance in the legal, educational, and health arenas.

Around the time she turned twelve, his daughter’s personal struggles became political fodder. Along with other trans kids, she was outlawed from playing sports and forbidden to use the girls’ bathroom. Another law made Butler and his wife felons for seeking trans-affirming health care for her. When her charter school was featured in several gubernatorial campaign ads, local community members began driving through the parking lot to yell at the trans kids.

Serving both as a compassionate story of one family’s struggle for acceptance and as a window onto a fraught issue that parents, grandparents, other family members, and friends are confronting across the nation, And the Dragons Do Come provides a firsthand perspective on the human cost of anti-trans sentiment.

©2025 by Sim Butler. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"David de Vries provides an excellent narration of this comprehensive explanation of the issues surrounding transgender people and healthcare in the United States today. De Vries' clear diction and compassionate tone represent the book well. A strong performance of an important account."—Kirkus Audiobook Reviews

Wonderful and brave.

Couldn’t stop listening to this book. So captivating, compassionate, and informative. This book can help build understanding and empathy for the hardships trans youth and families face in America.

Well written story of one man’s fight to protect his daughter’s rights

I’ve lived in AL for 13 years and could relate to so much of this author’s story. We are an Ally family and have seen the way these changes have impacted our “rainbow mafia” friends. Kudos to author Sim and his wife Rachel for “pulling the ripcord” to protect their daughter and family. I wish them well. I hope Alabama politicians will eventually see the error of their ways.

A Transgender Child Has Much To Teach Us About Love, Life, And What Really Matters.

An extraordinary story of a brave family journey through the coming of age of a transgender child. Her bravery and common sense—and not least her zest for life— shine thoughout. She found wisdom early on, it would seem. We are the better for it. Soulfully written by her father. It is a blessing. B.H.Nesbitt