how to pride month
when you're not feeling anything
Hello hello. It’s been a little quiet on my end. I graduated from my MFA. I’ve been reading and writing, but not as much as I want to. I started going to therapy again. I’m 2200 words deep on a memoir project I’m scared of writing. I started two collabs I’m incredibly excited about. I launched the
substack (please check us out). The governor of texas is holding special sessions to attack myself and nearly everyone I love. Rainbow capitalism is starting to chip away, like we always knew it would.Frankly, I don’t feel like doing ~pride month~ right now. (This is for two reasons— my trauma from academia has me absolutely drained1, and trans existence is under attack.) Realistically, though, what does it matter if I feel like celebrating? The truth is, when I walk out the door, I am perceived as a nonwhite dykey genderfucked person.
Every day is radical for QTPOC. It is radical to choose to write a poem instead of caving in to what The Powers That Be want. It is radical to love. So, that’s what I’m going to do this pride month. I am going to write, read, and love. Even when I don’t feel like it. My ancestors didn’t survive texan hostility just for me to give up. Fighting is in my blood I suppose.
I want to be better about updating this newsletter, especially during ~times like these~. Basically, expect more robust links and whatnot in the future. For now, though:
Trans Lifeline has TWO microgrants right now: one for name changes, and one for gender-affirming hair removal. More here.
ICYMI: My chapbook Last Stop is out now with Defunkt Magazine! You can buy it here! Already read it and loved it? Review/rate it on Goodreads and StoryGraph.
Bri Gonzalez has a really great poem about La Llorona in Talon Review
Electric Lit’s Both/And series is nonstop bangers. Definitely recommend Jonah Wu’s essay, “Masculinity Is the Soft and Vulnerable Thing Inside Me”
This newsletter’s namesake, “trans poetica,” was nominated for Best New Poets by Split Lip Magazine <3 <3
Currently reading WE WANT IT ALL in my two person trans book club— so so good
GASHER’s Bennett Nieberg Transpoetic Broadside Contest is open til August 2nd
How are y’all celebrating pride this year? Seriously, I’m all ears. Thanks for sticking with trans poetica for 7 MONTHS (!!) now. Quick blurb on how to support me through like 5 big life transitions (get it?) below the cut
<3
Currently living that full-time freelance life. My website will be undergoing maintenance soon, but I’m currently AVAILABLE for:
Workshops
Readings
Sensitivity reading
Full-length, chapbook, or individual poetry feedback
My email is only… an email away.
I’m also adding a paid option for this newsletter. If you subscribe as a founding member I’ll send you a zine grab bag! But I promise trans poetica will always always remain free. We’re communists in this house: “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”
this is for another newsletter— stay tuned!!