I do not technically work in the city of Syracuse, but still, a great day for TEH TRANSGENDERED.
The family of LaTeisha Green, a transgender woman who was slain four years ago in a hate crime, went to Syracuse City Hall Wednesday to urge lawmakers to pass a law protecting the rights of all citizens regardless of “gender identity or gender expression.”
…Kessner said seven of the nine voting councilors have agreed to cosponsor the local law, assuring passage by a wide margin Monday. The law would prohibit discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, school, commercial space and public services.
The law has only civil penalties. It provides victims with legal grounds to sue for damages, reinstatement to their job, or other remedies.
At least one lawmaker will vote no. Councilor Khalid Bey said he was concerned that the legislation would allow men dressed as women to enter women’s public restrooms. That could create discomfort for women, or even danger of attack, Bey said.
Among the roughly 160 cities nationwide that have passed gender-identity protections, there have been no problems associated with access to restrooms, Kessner said.
Kelly Dunham, Review of The Collection
[I thought it was funny that this reviewer also mentioned being a little afraid and intimidated to read the book. As one of the 28 authors, buying it today, I have to admit I am as well!]
Now through Halloween, paperbacks of REFUSE are 20% off*
go to the facebook page to redeem the offer.
Haven’t heard of my book and confused as to why this is under the ___ tag? I’m too tired to explain. Check it out here if you care.
*kitty in plastic pumpkin not included.
Do you write for a magazine/blog/newspaper and would you like to review THE COLLECTION? Let us know—we just got new review copies in and they are itching to get sent out.
Contact info@topsidepress.com
“THE COLLECTION is a foundational, ground-breaking anthology that will serve as a primer for trans literature for years to come. Traveling across genres, experience, and including emerging and mid-career writers, Léger and MacLeod have made a significant contribution to contemporary literature.”
—Sarah Schulman, author of After Delores and The Mere Future
http://topsidepress.com/thecollection/
Reviews
“In this timely and thought-provoking anthology, edited by trans activists and playwrights Léger and MacLeod, 28 authors shed light on the complexity of the transgender spectrum. Their offerings provide unique insights into the emotional uncertainties and quotidian struggles that accompany finding and embracing one’s identity in a world too often determined to impose traditional gender binaries. Trans men and women are represented, as are those who live somewhere in-between. While most of the stories follow a traditional “day in the life” narrative arc, several slip into other genres. Standouts include R. Drew’s “The Café,” about a trans man struggling to be accepted as Sam instead of Samantha; Casey Plett’s “Other Women,” which demonstrates how sex can be an emotional minefield for trans people; and Elliott Deline’s “Dean and Teddy,” which tackles issues of self-image and acceptance. Other notables include Susan Jane Bigelow’s urban fantasy, “Ramona’s Demons,” which introduces a trans woman into otherwise familiar territory; and Mikki Whitworth’s “Masks of a Superhero,” about a costumed champion in transition. Sadly, a number of other pieces are little more than vignettes, and several do more telling than showing. A wide variety of styles, tones, and narrative tricks gives the collection a complex if uneven feel, but its underlying message–that the transgender experience is dynamic, valid, and worthy of fictive elucidation–makes the book more than worthwhile.”
—Publisher’s Weekly, July 30, 2012
“Red Durkin’s ‘A Roman Incident,’ about competitive eating, is worth the price alone”
—SFWeekly.com
“…a vibrant tome, bursting with new ideas and just plain old good writing.”
—Gaelick.com
“It’s excellent!”
—Shelly’s Reviews
“Queer literature is so often about the coming out narrative, THE COLLECTION goes beyond that–way beyond. It is an incredible compilation of stories from a diverse range of experiences for transfolks–FTM/MTF and in between, different ethnicities, city, rural and suburban, and stages of transition. The common thread amongst them is their humanity. Transfolks in THE COLLECTION are in three dimensions and whole. I found each story incredibly beautiful and touching. I certainly hope this isn’t the last Collection.”
—Bevin Branlandingham, QueerFatFemme.com
Advance Praise
“THE COLLECTION is a foundational, ground-breaking anthology that will serve as a primer for trans literature for years to come. Traveling across genres, experience, and including emerging and mid-career writers, Léger and MacLeod have made a significant contribution to contemporary literature.”
—Sarah Schulman, author of After Delores and The Mere Future
“THE COLLECTION is a brave and important book—a smart, funny, sexy lineup of fresh stories that reflect a range of trans experiences and ideas. Carter Sickels and Stephen Ira, especially, wrote standout pieces, but the whole book is studded with gems.”
—Cris Beam, author of Transparent and I am J
“This collection is clear proof that transgender people have gone beyond the mindset of embattled minority seeking acceptance to a vibrant culture crossing many boundaries. These stories are varied, creative, with many points of view. Just like transpeople ourselves.”
—Rachel Pollack, author of A Secret Woman
“THE COLLECTION is truly what literature needs—an honest collection of transgender identity, featuring voices of a million backgrounds. While thoughtful prose and queer identity weave these stories together, the diversity in the narrators’ experiences succeed in making THE COLLECTIONreal and telling. Authors share their convictions via love, loss, family, culture, sexuality, work, a distaste for the world around us, and the drive to tell a story that could very well alter that world.”
—Cristy C. Road, author of Bad Habits and Spit and Passion
“I loved this book. Most anthologies are hit or miss, like a mix tape made by someone who doesn’t know your tastes. This one shone from start to finish with quality and imaginative sparkle. THE COLLECTION is a vital contribution to a literary world that would rather overlook trans narratives. This book will make that impossible.”
—Zoe Whittall, author of Bottle Rocket Hearts and Holding Still for As Long As Possible,
Lambda Literary Award Winner 2011
“Content and craft unite closely together in THE COLLECTION. Palpable transgender discourse and a burgeoning trans aesthetic permeate the page. However, these stories are not weighted with the theoretical or expository. Here trans is not explained, but imaginatively explored by twenty-eight emerging authors who are each unique and surefooted in their narrative prowess.
Like any good fiction, THE COLLECTION invites us to share an experience. The well-drawn protagonists range from heartbroken lovers to homeless outcasts to rebounding super heroes. Collectively, these characters move us from the icy bleakness of the Canadian Prairies to the desperation of a post-Katrina New Orleans. They show everything from the deeply personal nostalgia of childhood memories to the complex intimacy of the bedroom.”
—Amber Dawn, author of Sub Rosa, Lambda Literary Award winner 2011
“I want you to read this book. You’ll see a lot of reviews about how you should read it because trans people struggle with the gender binary or because trans people are different or because transness bears some deep meaning in a world of Men and Women. Sure it does. But I want you to ignore those reviews.
You should read this book because it’s an amazing and deeply variegated survey of what 28 trans people were thinking about. When do we ever get to hear what trans people are thinking about? All we hear is what trans people are. What we mean in a world of Men and Women. Fuck that. Read this book because it is a profound act of respect to listen to what these people were thinking.”
—Annie Danger, performance artist, organizer of The Fully Functional Cabaret
“THE COLLECTION is honestly some of the best short fiction I’ve come across in quite some time. I have always searched for fiction that I can relate to and see myself in. I have often wished for stories with transgender characters – you know, that just happen to be transgender – but I am frequently disappointed by the traditional trans narratives.
What a relief! Finally a collection of creative voices that reflect the variety of experiences that we all share – drawing on the strength, passion, normalcy, and humor that is prevalent in everyday life. I currently run my own suicide prevention project in Denver, CO – sentamentalstudios.com– I work with youth that like me are hungry for voices that normalize and reflect their own lives and experiences. THE COLLECTION is this mirror, and I am certain that it will change the lives of many who will read it.”
—Dylan Scholinski, author of The Last Time I Wore A Dress
On transgender literature. A discussion with Tom Léger, AJ Bryce, Ryka Aoki, Sassafras Lowrey, Elliott DeLine, and Morty Diamond.
This makes me happy and also a little anxious. I’m honored to have been included in the discussion.
Note: I’m not sure if the author changed this or I misspoke, but I meant “suicidal ideation” not “suicidal idealization.” I also wish I had said “a trans woman” not “an MTF.” And in one place my name is spelled wrong. OK that is all!
Bevin Branlandingham
Read more“Leslie Feinberg is being re-charged for her solidarity action to Free CeCe McDonald. Please join me by sending messages to Hennepin County chief prosecutor Michael Freeman (address below). This morning I sent this message to Freeman:
Stop the war against transwomen of color!
Stop racist, anti-trans state hate crimes!
FREE CECE MCDONALD NOW!
Hands off Leslie Feinberg!
Drop the charges!
An injury to one is an injury to all!
Please email/ fax/ call in your own message to:
Prosecutor Michael Freeman
email citizeninfo@co.hennepin.mn.us
fax 612-348-2042
call 612-348-5540
And please help re-post this call far and wide!
Check them out. I’m raising money to write and publish my next book. I’m almost halfway there!
Want a signed copy of Refuse? Donate $16 to Levi, a trans man who has been convicted of a felony in the state of Virginia, USA just for putting “M” on a marriage form. He needs funds for after he leaves prison because trans people aren’t allowed in Virginia’s gender specific half-way houses. Read about Levi’s story on this indiegogo page. It’s horrible.
Note, there’s only 5 copies available.
New book from author of Refuse about Transgender Topics
- I’d like to make this new book a reality by Aug 2013.
- Maybe you downloaded the book for free a long time ago and can spare a few dollars now?
- Please share this project! Especially if you know other people who are interested in seeing more accurate portrayals of transgender men in fiction (or in general).
- Read it over to see what it’s all about. You have til Sept 5th.
PLEASE DONATE!
New book from author of Refuse about Transgender Topics
OK don’t hate me. I promise I won’t spam with this.
I’d like to make this new book a reality by Aug 2013.
Maybe you downloaded the book for free a long time ago and can spare a few dollars now?
Please share this project! Especially if you know other people who are interested in seeing more accurate portrayals of transgender men in fiction (or in general).
Read it over to see what it’s all about. You have til Sept 5th to donate.
*I’m realizing the difficulty of writing from a child’s perspective, this book will only partially take place in the protagonist’s childhood/early teens. Sorry to be so vague. I’m sure it will change 100 times before I’m through…it’s the creative process.
PLEASE DONATE!
TRANS* “FIRSTS”
Lana Wachowski, director of the Matrix films, came out recently as a trans* woman. She is the first openly trans* director.
In the spirit of that, I thought I’d mention a few other firsts. (I use “trans*” because I don’t have specific quotes from the people as how they identify. Also, I know little about some of these people and their politics/opinions/histories. I just know that they are firsts, and that’s what’s being celebrated here.)
1. Georgina Beyer, New Zealand. First trans* Member of Parliament and world’s first trans* mayor.
2. Candis Cayne, USA. First trans* actress to play a recurring trans* character on prime time TV.
3. Amanda Simpson, USA. First openly trans* woman political appointee in any administration.
4. Dana International, Israel. First trans* person to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
5. Lucas Silviera, Canada. First open trans* man lead singer of a band signed by a major record label.
6. Kye Allums, USA. First trans* man to play NCAA Division I basketball. He was scholarship athlete on the George Washington University Female Basketball Team and came out as male.
7. Kylar Broadas, USA. First trans* person to testify before the Senate (and about gender-based employment discrimination, too!)
The Collection: Short Fiction from the Transgender Vanguard
In this timely and thought-provoking anthology, edited by trans activists and playwrights Léger and MacLeod, 28 authors shed light on the complexity of the transgender spectrum. Their offerings provide unique insights into the emotional uncertainties and quotidian struggles that accompany finding and embracing one’s identity in a world too often determined to impose traditional gender binaries. Trans men and women are represented, as are those who live somewhere in-between. While most of the stories follow a traditional “day in the life” narrative arc, several slip into other genres. Standouts include R. Drew’s “The Café,” about a trans man struggling to be accepted as Sam instead of Samantha; Casey Plett’s “Other Women,” which demonstrates how sex can be an emotional minefield for trans people; and Elliot Devine’s “Dean and Teddy,” which tackles issues of self-image and acceptance. Other notables include Susan Jane Bigelow’s urban fantasy, “Ramona’s Demons,” which introduces a trans woman into otherwise familiar territory; and Mikki Whitworth’s “Masks of a Superhero,” about a costumed champion in transition. Sadly, a number of other pieces are little more than vignettes, and several do more telling than showing. A wide variety of styles, tones, and narrative tricks gives the collection a complex if uneven feel, but its underlying message—that the transgender experience is dynamic, valid, and worthy of fictive elucidation—makes the book more than worthwhile. (Oct.)
This is so flattering! But they called me Elliot Devine!
