Dear You. We Are In This Together by Dean Spade. Forward by Nyala Moon. Dear You by Alex Valdes and Lexie Bean. The Body. The Letters. Note To Self. Sincerely by Sawyer DeVuyst. PS. PPS, An Afterward by Lexie Bean. Guide for Professionals and Mentors by Ieshai Bailey. Letter Writers on their Letter Writing Experience. Mailbox: Contributors. Acknowledgements. Resource List. Further Reading
An anthology of letters by trans and non-binary survivors of sexual assault, abuse and domestic violence
Lexie Bean is a freelance writer for Teen Vogue and a performer. They have edited two previous anthologies of letters, Attention: People with Body Parts and Portable Homes. They are based in New York.
As trans and non-binary folks, we are often discouraged from
advocating for our own bodies, as if we do not know what is best
for ourselves. This anthology is filled with such tenderness,
resilience and vulnerability; a beautiful love letter to queerness,
to otherness, to the power of reclaiming our bodies as our own.
-- Emmett J. Lundberg, Writer & Filmmaker, Creator of Brothers the
series
It's rare that something can both break your heart and renew your
spirit. My heart empathetically broke from the rawness and intimacy
these pages hold. As I finished I was left feeling inspired and
awestruck at the power of queer people - not just to endure but to
use our experiences as a tool to empower others, like these words
certainly will. -- Karmilla Pillay-Siokos, Director of Slutwalk
Johannesburg
This work is prayer. It is finding family, clarity and
yourself in every page. It is a deep breath. Each story takes you
closer to understanding what self-love is and how long the paths to
ourselves can be. I am so grateful for this book and to each
author that blessed its pages. -- Be Steadwell, Queer Pop
Musician and Filmmaker
We are living in a pivotal moment of courage for survivors of
sexual abuse to speak out. We see a massive ground swelling of
survivors, unified by their stories, speaking up and saying #metoo.
This timely collection is no different; it amplifies the voices of
those trans and gender non-conforming people forced into silence
because of identity shaming. The courage and bravery shared by
these silence breakers becomes an invitation for us to become an
ally in the work, to untie our bound hands, to lift our fists in
unison, to tear the tape off our mouths, to reclaim our lives, and
say in unison, #neveragain. -- sj Miller, author of Teaching,
Affirming, and Recognizing Trans and Gender Creative Youth, series
co-editor, Social Justice Across Contexts in Education, series
co-editor, Queering Teacher Education Across Contexts
Becoming your self is the most daring act you will undertake in
your lifetime. In some ways it's a bigger deal than being born,
because it requires courage, determination, vision and a body that
is your own. Written on the Body shows us how beautifully
it's being done in the 21st Century and reminds us that the
business of becoming your authentic self is never finished -- James
Lecesne, co-founder of The Trevor Project
As a storytelling organization we are encouraged by projects like
Written on the Body. This anthology is in the vanguard of a
growing body of storytelling rooted in transgender and non-binary
experiences. The acts of writing, reading and sharing these stories
has the capacity to build empathy, to heal and to empower more
individuals to share their stories as well. -- Nathan Manske,
Founder of I'm From Driftwood
Written on the Body speaks to me as I'm sure it will other
readers. It is gives voice and sheds light on a very important
subject. One that isn't spoken about very much. Trans and Gender
Non-Conforming bodies. People just want us to hide our bodies and
not address them. We get this message from the time that we're
children and it stays with us. For some of us, it never goes away.
These wonderful stories share real life experiences. Experiences
that people like me never thought we would be able to share. The
shame and humiliation around our own bodies. Hiding and pretending.
The assaults, rape and abuse we suffer at the hands of others.
Sometimes thinking we deserve this treatment because we don't fit
in. Feeling voiceless and powerless. Living our lives for everyone
else except ourselves, until we cannot take it anymore. Written
on the Body helps break this silence around trans and gender
non-conforming people. It helps to empower us and educate others.
It's an excellent read and resource, and just good for the soul! --
Kylar Broadus, Founder of Trans People of Color Coalition (TPOCC),
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF)
I am humbled by this collection of letters. The authors of this
collection are at times unflinching, proud, triumphant, and
brutally honest in their truths. Each letter is utterly personal,
engaging with the text in this format draws the reader close inside
quickly and I enjoyed this process immensely. Reading these
letters, and the depths of what is shared within this book, I was
struck with the same ideas, truths, and lived experiences that
trans people have shared with me after watching FREE CeCe!
Everywhere we went with the film. I am glad to see these voices
lifted in such an indelible way here. -- Jac Gares, Filmmaker,
Producer of FREE CeCe
Written on the Body beautifully paints the picture of what
happens to people of trans experience when it comes to sexual
assault and violence. This book provides the opportunity to tell
our stories on a way that is our own, because these are our
experiences. It is a way for us to find some type of healing, to
find comfort and to provide some type of hope to many of us who are
still dealing with these difficult issues. -- Bamby Salcedo,
President & CEO of The TransLatin@ Coalition
Written on the Body is a much needed story of violence
against transgender and gender nonconforming people that is deeply
needed. Not just for the community, but for everyone who wishes to
understand the violence that trans people are facing. It's a story
for us, by us and this is the space where voices are needed most.
Thank you for bring together so many narratives and creating a
space for voices to be heard in a world that does not validate the
experiences of trans folk. -- KT Richardson, Sexual and Domestic
Violence Prevention Worker
Written on the Body is a bold exploration of pain--and of
discovery. These letters are courageous and illuminating, directly
facing the nuanced hurt of violence and of loss. A powerful and
touching chorus of honest voices! -- Aspen Matis, Co-Founder of The
Human Network and author of Girl in the Woods
Written on the Body is one of the most honest and intimate
portrayals of the emotional landscapes of survivors of sexual
violence. This collection of writing is truths building history, a
witness to pain, a friend to let you know that you are not alone.
The harmony of these trans and non-binary voices that have been
silenced for so long invite you to listen. Cathartic
Honest
Intimate
Free
Histories
Surender
Defense
Wisdom
Pain
Gentle
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