Each of the following texts is either about or by a queer person detailing some aspect of their life, be it every day experiences or specific events. The stories have a wide range of settings and events with the only connecting thread being the author or subject’s sexuality or gender. Despite their differences each story speaks of the struggles associated with being queer. Each story does so in a unique way, from Genevieve Hudson’s attempts to live happily while queer to Malinda Lo’s vampire romance which describes an escape from hetero-normative captivity. Each story also presents the issues faced not as an issue inherent to or the fault of the subject, but rather the fault of a society that has failed to include them. Finally each story focuses on an acceptance of the subject’s queerness rather than a dismissal of it. This anthology is meant to show the struggles queer people face in every day life from outright oppression to lack of representation.
Hunger Inside My Queer Body by Genevieve Hudson
In this story Geneviece Hudson describes the challenges a gender non-conforming person faces when they don’t have the body type associated with androgyny. Genevieve’s story shows the struggles one faces in a cis-normative society focused on thin body types when one is neither thin nor cis-normative.
We Had Sex, But I Never Told Him I’m Trans by Jen Richards
In this article Jen Richards describes a sexual encounter with a man where she at no point disclosed the fact that she was transgender. In the article she discusses the constant fear of disclosing her transgender status, and the loneliness felt when she is then rejected because of it. Richards presents the idea that her disclosure of her transgender status is not an easy decision to make to any person, and that ultimately no one is entitled to know those details if she does not want to share them.
The Sea Change by Ernest Hemingway
In this short story Hemingway describes an encounter between what seems to be former lovers in a bar after the man learns that the woman is bisexual and wishes to pursue another woman. The short story focuses on a very basic wish of queer people to be accepted by those close to them, and the fear of being rejected by people they care about. Hemingway makes it clear that while the two are no longer lovers, the woman does still care for the man, and his initial rejection of her is painful.
I’m Trans, Disabled, and Tired Of Fighting To Get Into Bathrooms by Christian McMahon
In this article Christian McMahon draws comparisons between his inability to use public restrooms as a child and his current inability to use public restrooms as an adult. Because of an intersection of ableism and transphobia McMahon has had two separate time periods in his life where he was unable to use public restrooms, either physically or through fear of assault.
They Called Us by Natalie C. Parker
This short story by Natalie C. Parker describes an experience of two childhood friends growing up to become lovers and the struggles they faced in doing so. What was once seen as friendship between the two by their families was frowned upon once they became older. The story focuses on accepting who one is an living a life that makes them happy regardless of outside opposition, as well as the double standard of what is acceptable in a platonic and romantic setting and the ways that those standards change as we age.
The Cure by Malinda Lo
Malinda Lo’s short story explores the ideas of queer confinement in hetero-normative spaces. The main character’s torture at the hands of a society trying to “help her” when there is nothing wrong can be directly compared to the treatment of queer people in modern day society. The story focuses on the pain of having no one like yourself as well as the freedom that comes with meeting someone you can truly relate to.
The Bridge by Wynternight
The Bridge examines the hopelessness felt by some trans people before and during transitions, and examines the barriers preventing transition. It focuses on depression and suicidal thoughts born from the main character’s extreme gender dysphoria and the plethora of barriers preventing transition, both social and economic. The story also touches on the importance of knowing others like yourself and how helpful knowing another trans person can be.
Going It Alone by Rahawa Haile
In this article Rahawa Haile describes her experiences hiking through conservative states as a black queer woman and the anxieties that brings. The article focuses on the struggles of being a black queer woman in the current political climate, but also the kindness of others. Haile provides a nuanced look at American society which refuses to paint the black and white picture we often see and shows that despite the oppression queer people regularly see, one can still typically rely on basic human kindness.
Luca's Roost 