Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families is a sweeping compilation of life stories and portraits of trans and nonbinary people, as well as their partners, parents, children, siblings, and chosen family members. Through interviews and photo portraits, the subjects of Authentic Selves invite readers into their real lives–their revelations, challenges, joys, and networks of support. 

The Unitarian Universalist Association selected Authentic Selves as the book for UUs and their congregations to read and explore in 2024-25. We will be hosting an in-person book discussion at USG across four Mondays: 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, and 3/24. The discussions will be held in Sullivan Chapel from 7 to 8:30pm.

You don’t need to read the whole book before the first meeting in order to participate in the discussion, though you will need to read some of the portraits before each meeting in order to get the most out of the discussions.  Among the portraits are the first person stories of Sarah McBride, recently elected Congressional representative for Delaware, and her family.

Copies of Authentic Selves are available for purchase, even if you can’t come to the book discussion. 

Contact Margaret Thompson at CommonRead@usguu.org if you have questions and/or you want to participate and want to receive updates about the book discussion meetings.