Hey there, readers! One of the cool things I get to do in 2017 is share this space with you.
In the coming months, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite books and authors as well as my thoughts on reading and writing LGBTQIA literature. In the meantime, I’ll tell you a little about who I am. (Note: the way I describe myself and the words I use in no way reflect the entire vast community of LGBTQIA people, nor are they representative of all people who share some of the same or similar identities as me.)
I sometimes say I’m an “in betweeny.” It fits me in a lot of ways. I use the word bisexual to describe myself, by the definition found in most bisexual organizations:
“I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I have in myself the potential to be attracted – romantically and/or sexually – to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.” –Robyn Ochs
Not gay, not straight, and not half of each – somewhere in the messy, muddled, wonderful middle, its own complicated thing.
My gender is complicated too, also somewhere in the neither/nor region. I might use terms like genderqueer or gender fluid, or I might say nothing at all. And the same goes for nearly every aspect of my life: I’m the product of an interfaith and bi-ethnic marriage, and as a Gen X-er, I’m sandwiched between the Baby Boomers and the Millennials. Even within my family I’m in between – I’m raising kids while also dealing with an aging parent and in-laws.
My job is “in betweeny” too. I’m an author (mainly LGBTQIA literature), but I also review books and work as a freelance editor. I can’t think of many ways in which I don’t straddle two worlds.
That might seem confusing or frustrating, but for me, I love it. I like blurring lines and being outside the boundaries other people set for me. Can it be harsh when I’m put in boxes or have my identity erased or face bigotry for who I am? Sure. But for the most part, I’m comfortable being who I am, and I seek to help others feel the same.
That’s me in a nutshell. My “in betweeny” nature means that as I write here, you’ll find me talking about sweet m/m romance on one day and gender politics on another and lesbian high literature on a third. Hopefully, that means I can introduce you to some great books and great minds along the way.
Happy reading, and I look forward to chatting with you all in the future!
-Amy