The 2024-2025 UUA Common Read

Groundbreaking in its depictions of joy and community, Authentic Selves celebrates trans and nonbinary people and their families in stunning photographs and their own words. Foreword by Jazz and Jeanette Jennings.

Available as a Kindle ebook

Product Code: 5253
ISBN: 9781558968967
Format: Paperback / softback
Publisher: Skinner House Books
Pages: 400
Size: 10 x 7
Published Date: 05/02/2023
Availability:In stock
N/A
Price: $22.00

The 2024-2025 UUA Common Read

For more information about the UUA's Common Read, and to access the discussion guides for Authentic Selves, click here.

The September and October 2024 Justice and Spirit: Unitarian Universalist Book Club selection.

Groundbreaking in its depictions of joy and community, Authentic Selves celebrates trans and nonbinary people and their families in stunning photographs and their own words. Foreword by transgender activist Jazz Jennings and her mom and fellow activist, Jeanette Jennings.

So often trans and nonbinary people’s stories are told only through the lens of their struggles and challenges, including their political battles for legal rights, but trans and nonbinary people live rich and fulfilling lives full of joy and community too. Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families is a sweeping compilation of life stories and portraits of trans and nonbinary people, as well as their partners, parents, children, siblings, and chosen family members.

The compelling stories in Authentic Selves provide a glimpse into the real lives, both the challenges and the triumphs, of these remarkable people and their families—people like Senator Sarah McBride, disability justice advocate Parker Glick, drag entertainer TAYLOR ALXNDR, September 11th first responder Jozeppi Angelo Morelli, model Lana Patel, youth activist Elliott Bertrand, and so many others—all of whom are working to create a more just, diverse, and compassionate world.

Featured onTransgender School Podcast: part one went live August 1 and part two went live September 5 on all podcast platforms.

Featured on The Queer News Podcast: Episode is now live on all podcast platforms. July 31st “New Book! Authentic Selves”

Featured on The Queer Family Podcast with Jamie Kelton: Episode is now live. July 24th S 13. E. 2 “Celebrating what DeSantis Fears” on all podcast platforms.


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Preface by Brian K. Bond, Executive Director, PFLAG National

Introduction by Peggy Gillespie

A Note on Making Room for All of Who We Are by Alex Kapitan


Angelle Eve Castro and Family

Myles Kaleikini Markham

TAYLOR and SZN ALXNDR

Kylar William Broadus

Burwell/Burns/Alexander Family

Sarah McBride and Family

Jozeppi Angelo Morelli and Chris Mohn

Ava Berkofsky and Megan Auster-Rosen

Ben and Bedaura Haseen

Ben McLaughlin and Krysten Ella Lobisch

Fresh Lev White and Haia Sophia

Dee Dee Ngozi Chamblee

Rhett Bolen and Family

Feroza Syed and Family

Parker Glick and Ericka Miller

Anjali Rimi and Naga Gouri Devi

Elliott Bertrand and Family

Ted Rau and Family

Anna and Riley Lange

Robert Williams and Family

Lana Patel and Family

Thomas Family

Ashlee Page

Christian Zsilavetz and Family

Dalia and Terry Kinsey

Joy Ladin and Elizabeth Denlinger

Adam Miller and Family

Harris/McNeil Family

Scott Turner Schofield

Genny Beemyn

Tynan Power and Family

Blake Alford

Louis Mitchell and Family

Heatherland/Park/Landis/Heatherly Family


Resources

“It feels wildly ambitious to create a single resource that is able to provide the reader with a window into the rich, varied lives of gender diverse people. Yet Authentic Selves does just that by introducing us to everyday trans and nonbinary people and the family members who are brilliantly and lovingly on the journey with them.”
—Aidan Key, founder of TransFamilies and author of Trans Children in Today’s Schools

Authentic Selves is exquisite proof that transgender and nonbinary people don’t have to ask for permission to participate in the creativity of our own survival. Here are our families. Here is our love. There’s no denying.”
—Taylor Mac, theatre artist and author of Joy and Pandemic, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, and A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, among others

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