On our cover for the Family Matters issue, Sylvain Mendy and art director Nancy Pavan illustrate the complex and diverse feelings, relationships and beings that constitute our familial lives. 

A child coming out as trans may be difficult for parents, but the relationship need not be ruled by fear, argues Kai Cheng Thom. 

My father held on to the truth of the Iranian coup despite the West's best efforts to bury it, recounts Nazanin Meshkat. 

When I was afraid of writing my bipolar disorder into my family history, my grandmother taught me to raise my voice, Leanne Toshiko Simpson reflects. 

A growing cohort of adults is saddled with the responsibility of caring for both children and aging parents, Sheima Benembarek reports. 

After the death of a parent, only children are often left to weather the storm alone, writes Vicky Qiao. 

At a time when many family-style chains are on the decline, Ziya Jones embarks on a culinary tour to assess the damage. 

Plus new fiction from Cassidy McFadzean, fiction in translation from Maya Ombasic, poems by Mallory Tater and Jim Johnstone, a comic by Zoe Maeve, a photo essay from Javier Lovera and a Letter From Montreal from Neil Smith.