Both/And: Essays by Trans and Gender-Nonconforming Writers of Color—A Moving Anthology Celebrating Joy, Heartbreak, and Self-Discovery

From Denne Michele Norris and Electric Literature, a vital anthology of essays by trans and gender-nonconforming writers of color, sharing stories of joy, heartbreak, rage, and self-discovery.

Featuring seventeen essays by trans people of color—spanning writers, scientists, actors, activists, and drag queens—Both/And explores what it means to live as a trans or gender nonconforming person of color today.

Acclaimed authors Akwaeke Emezi, Tanaïs, and Meredith Talusan share their stories alongside activist and organizer Raquel Willis and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Peppermint, as well as a host of rising literary talent. Each story is told with honesty, authenticity, and beauty. A nonbinary molecular biologist has nightmares about their estranged father transitioning. A writer revisits a casual hook-up when she discovered her womanhood. And a woman vacations with her wife in Hawaii, where she gets in touch with the fire goddess within. These stories depict real trans lives from trans points of view, at a time when these perspectives are most urgent and valuable.

Inspired by Electric Literature’s groundbreaking series and edited by the first Black, openly trans editor-in-chief of a major literary publication, Both/And uplifts and amplifies stories of queer joy, heartbreak, rage, and self-discovery.

What does it mean to claim your own story in a world determined to erase you?

Trans Writers of Color: Led by Denne Michele Norris, the first Black, openly trans editor-in-chief of a major literary publication, this collection centers the voices that have been pushed to the margins for too long. Unflinching Honesty: From a nonbinary molecular biologist dreaming of their father’s transition to a writer revisiting a hookup that awakened her womanhood, these stories hold nothing back. Iconic and Emerging Voices: Read celebrated authors like Akwaeke Emezi and Raquel Willis alongside a new generation of literary talent, including scientists, activists, and even a star of RuPaul’s Drag Race . A Spectrum of Experience: More than just a narrative of struggle, these powerful transgender essays explore the intersections of identity through stories of rage, heartbreak, self-discovery, and radical queer joy.