onespirit connects newsletter
Each month, we come together to share updates on our offerings, whether it’s our enriching paid courses or the free programmes available on our website. But this newsletter is about more than just what’s coming up… it’s a space where we highlight news from our vibrant community and pass along information, events, and opportunities from those who call OneSpirit home. We want this to be a place for everyone, students, faculty, ministers, and friends of OneSpirit, to share, learn, connect, and stay inspired.
We’re glad to have you here with us, where connection, collaboration, and engagement are at the heart of what we do. Read below to see all the updates and opportunities that bring us closer together!
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”
angela y. davis
OneSpirit’s Professional & Personal Development Offerings
Our Spiritual Development & Ministry Training: The Cherry Tree Pathway
Enrolment is Now Open!
At OneSpirit, we take pride in offering a truly unique approach to spiritual development and ministry training. For over 25 years, we’ve guided individuals through transformative journeys that integrate self-discovery, sacred service, and the wisdom of the world’s spiritual traditions. With enrolment open through 30th September and courses beginning on 8th October, this is your opportunity to join a programme that embraces both the challenges and possibilities of our evolving world.
What makes our approach unique? At the heart of the Cherry Tree Pathway is a commitment to supporting your spiritual, personal, and professional growth in ways that are deeply holistic and rooted in experiential learning. Our training honours:
- The Sacred in Everyone: Recognising the divine essence within ourselves and others, encouraging us to meet life with compassion and respect.
- Nonviolent Communication: Providing tools to respond to differences with understanding, cultivating relationships grounded in love.
- Deep Empathic Listening: A cornerstone of our learning, connecting us to ourselves, each other, and the world.
- Sacred Activism: Encouraging meaningful action in the world, grounded in our spiritual practice.
A twofold journey – inner and outer curricula: Our unique pathway weaves together an inner curriculum and an outer curriculum, creating a balanced and integrated approach to spiritual development.
- The Inner Curriculum invites you to deepen your relationship with yourself and the sacred, uncovering inner wisdom through reflection, meditation, and personal growth practices.
- The Outer Curriculum explores how this inner transformation extends into the world around you, fostering meaningful relationships, engaging with your community, and embodying sacred service in practical and powerful ways.
This is not just a training programme — it’s a profound journey of self-awareness, connection, and purpose. We welcome you with open arms to this life-changing experience. Together, let’s create a community that honours love, respect, and the sacredness of all beings.
Why now? In a world that’s constantly evolving, we believe compassionate leaders are needed more than ever. Whether you feel called to ministry, seek to expand your understanding of self and spirit, or simply wish to deepen your connection to life’s sacredness, the Cherry Tree Pathway offers a space for you to flourish.
Enrolment is open now! Visit our website to learn more, or join us for one of our newly reimagined Intro Days this February, where you can experience our unique approach firsthand. Courses begin on 8th October 2025 and we can’t wait to see you there.
Foundations of Belief: A Free Transformative Course
Take the first step into the world of interfaith exploration with our Foundations of Belief course — your gateway to understanding the diverse spiritual traditions that shape our lives. This seven-module course is thoughtfully designed to be engaging, reflective, and completely free!
- Dynamic Learning: Videos, text, links, and reflective questions blend seamlessly to create an accessible and inspiring experience.
- Diverse Perspectives: Explore the predominant religious traditions in the UK while fostering a deep respect for global spiritual diversity.
- Personal Discovery: Reflect on your own beliefs, uncover biases, and expand your worldview in an inclusive, supportive environment.
As a UK-based educational charity, OneSpirit brings its rich legacy to this course, offering it as a meaningful foundation to our two-year Spiritual Development & Ministry Training or as a standalone journey of insight and growth.
- “I’ve enjoyed the whole course and found the materials very accessible and interesting. Each section is presented in a manageable way with a variety of videos, text, links, and reflective questions, making it easy to engage even when concentration is a challenge.” – Caroline
This course is and always will be free, with no obligation to take our training.
Strengthening Our Presence, Amplifying Our Impact
At OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation, our mission is rooted in fostering connection, compassion, and understanding through interfaith ministry.
As we continue to grow, we’ve taken an exciting step forward by building a Google profile!
This might seem like a simple addition, but it is profoundly significant for our community and the global reach of interfaith work.
A Google presence gives our organisation greater visibility and credibility, allowing people around the world to discover who we are and what we stand for.
It’s more than just a page — it’s a beacon for those seeking the transformative power of love, inclusivity, and spiritual exploration.
It tells the story of interfaith, showing that it is not only spreading but thriving in a world that deeply needs it.
Why This Matters to Our Community
This milestone isn’t just about us as an organisation; it’s about you — the students, ministers, alumni, and supporters who bring the vision of interfaith to life. When someone hears about OneSpirit and searches for us online, they’ll now encounter a profile that reflects the vibrant, diverse, and compassionate community we’ve built together. Your stories, experiences, and feedback are essential. They can guide someone who’s curious about our training, considering an offering, or simply looking to understand what interfaith ministry is all about. Your voice can be the bridge that helps someone take their first step on this transformative journey.
How You Can Help
We’d love for you to be part of shaping this new chapter by sharing your thoughts and experiences. Whether you’re a student reflecting on your training, an interfaith minister inspired by your path, or a supporter moved by our mission, your words matter.
By leaving a review on our Google profile, you’ll:
- Help establish credibility for OneSpirit as a trusted organisation.
- Offer encouragement and insight to those exploring our offerings.
- Amplify the message of interfaith and the power of love to a global audience.
Let’s Grow Together
This community is at the heart of everything we do, and we can’t create a meaningful online presence without showcasing the incredible people who make up the ‘One’ in OneSpirit. You are the reason this work has a purpose and continues to grow. It’s easy to share your thoughts, just scan the QR code or follow the link provided. You’ll just need to be logged into a Google account.
Thank you for walking alongside us as we continue to spread the message of interfaith ministry and the power of love in the world. Together, we are creating a brighter, more connected future.
OneSpirit’s Community Offerings + Announcements + Thoughts
Bali, The Island of Gods and The Island of a Thousand Temples
Lying just south of the equator and roughly a 17 hour flight time from London, Bali is a popular, tropical island destination in the Indonesian archipelago. Boasting a year round tropical climate, with lush rainforests and beautiful white beaches, Bali is a nature lover’s paradise.
In November 2024, I was lucky enough to be taken to this tropical haven as a surprise trip for my 50th birthday and I absolutely fell in love with the island, its natural environment, its culture and its people.
One thing that really impacted me was the way a sense of the sacred and beautiful are woven naturally through everyday life and being a 2nd year student on the OneSpirit ministry training course, this spiritual and cultural milieu provided ample opportunity for a deepening of my study into different faith paths. What started as a holiday became a pilgrimage!
Whilst Indonesia is a Muslim-majority nation (87.1% of the population follows Islam) Bali is predominantly Hindu (87%) however, Balinese Hinduism (also known as Agama Hindu Dharma) is quite distinct from its Indian cousin and incorporates aspects of Hindu worship and practice as well as animism, ancestor veneration and reverence for Buddhist saints or bodhisattva. It’s worth noting that the word “Hindu” is actually an umbrella term for the varied religious and spiritual traditions of the Indian subcontinent rather than a distinct religion.
In common with the more well-known Hinduism, Balinese Hinduism includes the worship and service of the Indian trinity or Trimurti – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva but Balinese Hindus also worship a range of deities not found in traditional Hindu practice. Alongside this is an animistic practice and belief in the enspirited nature of all things which was adopted from the local Indigenous spiritualities that predate the arrival of Hinduism on the island in the 1st century CE.
Whilst Balinese Hinduism is obviously polytheistic with its distinct animistic flavour, it’s interesting that it is officially a monotheistic religion. In order to meet the Indonesian Ministry of Religion’s requirement that officially recognised religions worship only one god, Balinese Hindus declared their religion to be monotheistic and identified Ida Sanghyang Widhi Wasa as the “undivided one” and “The divine ruler of the Universe” thus satisfying the government’s requirement. The other gods are seen as manifestations of this One God.
Whilst the philosophy and theology of Balinese Hinduism are fascinating and worthy of deeper study, what captivated me was the way spirituality permeated everyday life in a totally natural way.
Every home has its own temple, and when building a home a percentage of the budget is allocated to building the home temple. These can be small, modest structures like a large altar through to intricate and extensive areas in the garden. Every village has a temple and there are temples in the major town areas also. You literally cannot go more than 10 metres without passing a temple of some description hence one of the island’s nicknames – “the island of a thousand temples” although in reality the exact number of temples is hard to accurately estimate and is more likely in the region of 20,000!
These temples are not dry, dusty relics but are active focal points of worship with offerings (Canang sari) being made every day at the temple, as they have done for hundreds of years, but also made in the streets in front of shops, cafes and businesses. These offerings are made in gratitude to the gods and consist of small baskets made of woven palm leaves filled with rice, flowers and sweets. As these offerings are made, often twice or more each day, the worshippers may be heard quietly chanting prayers as they wave incense in the air. Daily life is imbued with a reverence and gratitude and this is visible throughout the towns and villages. In Sanskrit, the word “Bali” can refer to a ritual food offering made to the gods – so maybe another nickname for this sacred island could be “The island of a thousand offerings.”
In addition, there are many statues and religious icons around the temples, homes and in the streets. Vishnu, Krishna, Ganesh and many others are commonly seen and these are adorned with garlands of flowers on a regular basis and on special days the statues are clothed in Balinese sarongs. We were fortunate enough to be in Ubud at a particularly sacred time when the large temple held days of celebration, offerings and procession – sitting in a street cafe watching hundreds of beautifully dressed devotees dance and drum their way down the main thoroughfare whilst carrying large statues of the Hindu pantheon was a spectacle to witness and one we won’t forget in a hurry.
The Balinese take great delight in beauty and their culture, their homes, their meals and their clothes all reflect this aesthetic. As well as being widely available for purchase as souvenirs, handmade sarongs in the finest silk and decorated with batik are worn proudly as sacred temple wear, intricately carved wooden sculptures and religious icons decorate homes and doors, doorways and household furniture are all beautifully carved. No flatpack Scandi products here! Art markets are full to the brim of bronze statuary, batik scarves and sarongs, wooden carvings, paintings and wall hangings. It is tempting to think this is all merely aimed at the tourist dollar however it becomes obvious that art, craft and beauty are woven into Balinese life, an ethos of making daily life beautiful. Certainly, something I brought home with me – both as souvenirs and a challenge to how I live my life.
Bali was so rich in experience – I haven’t even mentioned the Sacred monkey forest, the elephant sanctuary, the rice terraces and the waterfalls, but one experience I will cherish above all others was taking part in a water blessing ritual called a Melukat at the Pura Tirta Empul Holy Springs, north of Ubud, The temple has several holy springs believed to have been created by the goddess Indra, and the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, the god of water. A ‘melukat’ is a ritual of cleansing the mind, body and spirit and begins with donning special sarongs, praying, meditating and making offerings at the temple gate. We then progressed along a line of spouts of holy water, praying and washing our face, hands and head at each spout. The last spout was most auspicious and here the waters deliver blessings. This was followed by a change of sarong and we entered the courtyard of the temple holy men where again offerings were made and we were led in a prayer ritual by the holy men who sprinkled us with more holy water. Although not a Hindu, joining in with this sacred ritual was a deep privilege and really special.
O Bali, verdant and lush
Land of spirits and gods
Island of offerings and intricate beauty
I bow in deep reverence
And gratitude
For all, you have shown me.
Suksma, suksma, suksma!
(Suksma is Balinese for thank you and is usually accompanied by a prayer posture of the hands).
X
Andrew Jones: Andrew lives on the ruggedly beautiful, northwest coast of Scotland with his partner Rich and their crazy cocker spaniel, Jynx. Together they run a coffee shop on the Isle of Skye. Andrew has had a varied career path encompassing training as a vet, a Biology teacher, a mindfulness teacher and now a minister! He is a lover of nature, poetry, beauty and finding The Sacred in all things. His soul heroes include Mary Oliver, Hafez, Mirabai Starr and that singing raven. You can find him on instagram here: @joneswildsoul. Read Andrew’s blog post here.
#TheMonthofMinistry is back!
You are invited! #MonthOfMinistry is a month-long campaign/online event, originally initiated by Rev Jo Royle and Rev Sass Adams in 2023 and intended to be an annual event. The intention is to promote Interfaith Ministers and our work to the public; as well as to network with one another. Humanists have #HuMayNist, which they post with in May, this is an equivalent for Interfaith Ministers.
What is a #MonthOfMinistry?
- It’s a month when all OneSpirit Interfaith Ministers are invited to post on social media (whatever platforms you use) against a series of prompts, one for each day, using the hashtag #MonthOfMinistry. It will be running from 1 – 29 February 2025. It’s a chance for us to share and explain more about ourselves, our beliefs, and our ministry with our followers. To promote Interfaith Ministers and our work to the public.
Suggested post format…
DAY 1 (text)
#MonthOfMinistry
You are more than welcome to respond to the prompts in any way which suits you… a written response; a photograph; a piece of artwork; a video; a poem; etc. You can search the hashtag #MonthOfMinistry on any social media platform to see posts from last year as examples.
Below, on the left, you’ll find the prompts that will guide us through this year’s #MonthofMinistry — a time for reflection, sharing, and celebrating the unique journeys of interfaith ministry. On the right, we’ve included a still from a video featuring Rev Jo. In the recording, she offers a heartfelt explanation of the month’s purpose, along with inspiration and insights to enrich your engagement. Simply click the image and the video will open in a new tab for you. Stay tuned, and let’s make this #MonthofMinistry a time of connection and celebration!
Creatively Writing Through Loss
Sometimes I write to find out how I feel about things.
Sometimes I feel deeply and need to write to express it.
Either way, I have found writing to be a brilliant tool for working with loss and grief.
If you think it might be good for you too, please join me for another Creatively Writing Through Loss online course.
The course lasts for 4 sessions, Monday evenings through February and March.
More information on the website: www.nickieaven.com/events/ or write to me.
Exciting Announcements for Scotland: Welcoming Our New Wedding Nominator and CPD Coordinator
For many years, Jane Patmore has been a guiding light for ministers in Scotland, supporting and empowering them on their journeys as ministers and celebrants. Building on the pioneering work of her predecessors, Jane has offered invaluable advice, unwavering support, and a generous sharing of her wisdom, kindness, and joy—all with her trademark ease and grace. Now, as Jane steps down from her role as OneSpirit Nominator for legal weddings in Scotland, we wish her every success in the next chapter of her journey. Our gratitude for her years of dedication and care is boundless, and her impact on the Scottish ministers will continue to be felt for years to come.
It is with great joy that we announce Rev. Davina McCluskie as the new Nominator for legal weddings in Scotland! We’re also delighted to welcome Chris Booth to the OneSpirit team as our new CPD Coordinator. Chris will bring their expertise to our continued professional development offerings, kicking off with the first CPD training of 2025 this April. We feel deeply privileged to have both Davina and Chris stepping into these roles, bringing their vast knowledge, warmth, and guidance to our community. Please join us in welcoming them and celebrating the next chapter for OneSpirit in Scotland!
A message from Davina:
Hello. I am very excited and honoured to take on the role of nominator. I have been conducting weddings and funerals on the ever-popular Isle of Skye for about 12 years now. During this time I have had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people. Let me tell you a little about me… I have lived here on Skye for nearly 25 years with my four children and now 3 grandchildren my 3 dogs and 3 cats.
I have worked in the wellbeing and fitness industry for a number of years but always had the spiritual element in whatever I offered. And it was this that drove me to search deeper and I found OSIF and my whole spiritual life came together as a whole. I had been offering ceremony for a while before ministry training after a friend asked me to read her husband’s eulogy. I knew then that ceremony was going to be a big part of my life… though personal ceremony was well ingrained, offering it to others was the next step.
So since then weddings took off and living here I have had many experiences of different issues that can arise from outdoor ceremonies, ceremonies that take me miles away and the logistics of that. I have also built up a strong relationship with the registrars some of them friends now and lucky enough to have been able to get last-minute advice and guidance early on.
I know I have big boots to fill now that Jane has passed the baton and I will be forever grateful for her invaluable knowledge, help and friendship throughout the years… I will do my best Jane to carry on the good work you have provided to so many. For those of you wanting to connect please drop me an email and we can arrange a call, it will be a pleasure getting to know you. Blessings, Davina (Dee).
Contact Davina here.
A message from Chris:
Hello, I’m Chris, based in Edinburgh, and I’m excited to take on the role of CPD organiser for the legal wedding trainings in Scotland. I was ordained with OneSpirit in July 2021, and a large part of why I did the training was because I absolutely love holding ceremonies!
I currently do mostly weddings and funerals, and I especially enjoy working outdoors with folk who resonate to a connection with the natural world, and who want to collaborate with me to design something unique and meaningful. But any ceremony that helps people find community and support in the great transitions we encounter in our lives as humans!
I also offer support for climate activists through the Work That Reconnects process developed by Joanna Macy, building resilience and active hope in the face of the dire emergency our world is facing. I believe in the power of community and the earth to support and nourish us with love on our journeys through life. I aspire to follow the leadings of love and truth to joyful action in the world.
I know that we’re very privileged here in Scotland to be able to perform legally-binding wedding ceremonies, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the training that makes that possible. If you’ve thoughts on how we could develop the sessions and make them accessible to all the Scottish ministers, or if you’d like to chat about weddings and ceremonies.
2025 Reflection Challenge
Welcome to our year-long journey of self-discovery and connection! This challenge invites you to set aside a few moments each month to reflect on prompts designed to deepen your personal and spiritual exploration. Whether you’re a minister, a student, or simply curious, these reflections are for everyone.
How It Works:
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Each month, we’ll share a unique prompt.
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Take 10–15 minutes (or longer if you wish) to journal, meditate, or simply ponder the question.
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If inspired, consider sharing insights with the community to foster connection.
Februrary Prompt:
How do you experience love in your spiritual practice?
Think about the ways love manifests in your life and spiritual work — whether it’s self-love, community care, or universal compassion.
Want to share your reflections with us?
If you’d like to share your reflection for us to include in the newsletter, or you simply want to share it with someone who would be proud or interested, send it our way. We’d love to hear your thoughts and honour your journey!
A January Reflection from Ashleigh Ranft
A New Beginning.
What indeed is a new beginning?
I think for me a new beginning is an opportunity, a moment, a breath, a gift, a threshold.
It’s the point at which I can turn and look back and remind myself I’m not going that way!
It’s the new adventures I’ve set for myself.
It’s the possibility of saying goodbye to create space for the moments of hello.
It’s a point that I can have any time I set the intention of right now is my new beginning!
New beginnings are the gifts we can offer ourselves to release pain and move forward to whatever the journey holds next.
A new beginning.
A treasured moment that is always on repeat.
May it always be so.
A January Reflection from Anonymous Minister
A “new beginning” signifies a fresh start, an opportunity to let go of the past and embrace change with hope and determination. It’s a moment of reinvention, where the slate is wiped clean, and we can approach life with a renewed perspective.
One of my most significant new beginnings occurred when I moved to a new city for university. I had always been in my comfort zone, surrounded by familiar faces and routines.
Suddenly, I was thrust into a completely unfamiliar environment, away from family and friends, with nothing but my own resolve to rely on. This experience taught me a lot about my resilience and adaptability.
I learned that I could thrive outside of my comfort zone, and that even in moments of doubt, I could rely on my own strength to move forward. It also showed me the importance of self-reliance, but equally the value of building new connections and embracing uncertainty.
That new beginning, while daunting, became a stepping stone to personal growth and a deeper understanding of myself.
A Monthly Review of our Socials
OneSpirit’s training offers a flexible, life-changing curriculum that adapts to your unique path of self-discovery. With an open approach to exploring the depth of human value, you’ll find clarity about your true self and how you connect with the world around you.
It has made me more reflective and contemplative about the effect I have on the world and the effect the world has on me. It feels like a very solemn and sacred commitment and I am interested to see where the journey will take me. I do find it challenging as it brings up internal conflicts that I would prefer to leave alone but I can also sense that I am growing positively through examining these internal struggles. – Caroline, OneSpirit Student
Our adaptable training meets you where you are, empowering you to engage with what resonates most deeply. Ready to begin?
Image: Uran Wang, Unsplash
This year, we want to start sharing more about the religions, faith paths, and spiritual practices that have enriched our interfaith community.
At OneSpirit, we don’t promote any single faith or belief system. Instead, we celebrate the diversity of spiritual journeys, fostering compassion and understanding across all paths.
By recognising our shared humanity and respecting one another’s beliefs, we hope to create deeper connections and a more harmonious world.
Image: Mat, Unsplash
Just as the tallest trees find their roots deep in the earth,
we too,
can draw strength from the foundation we build in life.
Image: Jessica Johnston, Unsplash
Awareness, Spiritual, and Religious Days
Reflections from an Awareness Day
LGBTQ+ History Month
Honouring LGBTQ+ History Month
February marks LGBTQ+ History Month in the UK — a time to celebrate the courage, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community throughout history, while recognising the ongoing journey toward equality and inclusion. For OneSpirit, this month is a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to honouring the sacred in all beings and embracing diversity in all its forms.
LGBTQ+ History Month was founded in the UK in 2005 by Schools OUT, a charity that has worked tirelessly to make education safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ individuals. Each year, this month highlights the importance of visibility, representation, and advocacy. It’s a call to reflect on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and to celebrate the strength and love that have driven profound societal change.
The Interfaith Connection
At OneSpirit, our interfaith philosophy aligns deeply with the values of inclusion and respect. We believe in holding space for every person’s unique identity and spiritual journey, recognising that diversity is not a challenge to overcome but a gift to be embraced.
As theologian, John Shelby Spong once wrote, “In God, there is no male or female, no black or white, no gay or straight. There is only the oneness of creation.” This perspective speaks to the heart of what we strive to embody at OneSpirit: a community where everyone is valued, not in spite of their differences, but because of them.
A History of Struggle and Progress
The history of the LGBTQ+ community is one of struggle, courage, and transformation. From the Stonewall Riots of 1969, often cited as a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights, to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the UK in 2014, the journey toward equality has been paved by those who dared to imagine a world where love and identity are honoured without restriction.
However, progress is not universal, and for many around the world, discrimination, persecution, and invisibility remain harsh realities. According to ILGA-Europe’s 2023 report, hate speech and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation are on the rise in many countries, including in Europe. This reminds us that solidarity and advocacy remain essential.
Our Role as a Community
As a spiritual and educational community, OneSpirit has a unique role to play in fostering inclusion and advocacy. Nonviolent communication, deep empathic listening, and a commitment to recognising the sacredness in all beings are not just practices — they are spiritual imperatives. We are called to create spaces where every person feels safe, valued, and seen.
Reflecting on LGBTQ+ History Month, the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu come to mind: “We are made for goodness, love, and compassion. Our lives are transformed as much as the world is when we live with these truths.” How can we embody this transformation in our own lives?
Resources for Reflection and Advocacy
If you’d like to deepen your understanding of LGBTQ+ history and issues, here are some excellent resources:
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Stonewall UK (www.stonewall.org.uk): Offers a wealth of information on LGBTQ+ rights, history, and ways to get involved.
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LGBTQ+ History Month UK (www.lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk): Learn more about this year’s theme and explore resources, events, and educational tools.
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ILGA-Europe (www.ilga-europe.org): Provides updates on LGBTQ+ rights across Europe and ways to support global advocacy.
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The Albert Kennedy Trust (www.akt.org.uk): A charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people who are homeless or living in hostile environments.
Reflecting Together
As we honour LGBTQ+ History Month, we encourage you to take time to reflect on your own role in creating a more inclusive world. How can we show up as better allies and advocates? How can we ensure that our spiritual practices and communities welcome all people, regardless of their identity or background?
Let us hold these questions in our hearts as we continue to walk this path together. At OneSpirit, we remain committed to fostering a world where love and understanding transcend division.
In the words of activist Audre Lorde, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences.” May this month inspire us to recognise, accept, and celebrate — not only this February but every day of the year.
Book List for LGBTQ+ History Month
As an educational charity, our role extends beyond education to providing access to valuable resources. Here’s a diverse collection of books that celebrate LGBTQ+ voices, histories, and experiences across genres, from memoirs and historical accounts to fiction and poetry. This list highlights both classic works and contemporary voices, honouring the richness of LGBTQ+ contributions to literature and culture.
Non-Fiction & Memoirs:
- “The Stonewall Reader” edited by The New York Public Library: A powerful collection of essays, articles, and firsthand accounts chronicling the events surrounding the Stonewall uprising.
- “We Have Always Been Here” by Samra Habib: A moving memoir exploring faith, sexuality, and identity through the lens of a queer Muslim woman.
- “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe: An intimate, graphic memoir that details the author’s journey with gender identity and self-discovery.
- “The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle” by Lillian Faderman: A comprehensive history of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement in the United States.
- “Unbound: Transgender Men and the Remaking of Identity” by Arlene Stein: A compelling exploration of the lives of transgender men and the shifting landscape of gender.
Fiction:
- “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin: A literary classic that delves into themes of desire, identity, and societal expectations in post-war Paris.
- “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker: A groundbreaking novel exploring race, gender, and love between women in the American South.
- “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller: A retelling of Homer’s Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus, exploring his deep bond with Achilles.
- “Orlando” by Virginia Woolf: A genre-defying novel following the gender-shifting protagonist, Orlando, through centuries of English history.
- “Detransition, Baby” by Torrey Peters: A bold, contemporary novel about relationships, gender identity, and the complexities of family.
Poetry:
- “Don’t Call Us Dead” by Danez Smith: A stunning collection of poems addressing Black identity, queerness, and systemic injustice with raw beauty.
- “The Black Unicorn” by Audre Lorde: A powerful collection from one of the most influential Black lesbian feminist voices of the 20th century.
- “Time Is a Mother” by Ocean Vuong: An exploration of grief, identity, and love from the acclaimed Vietnamese-American poet and novelist.
Young Adult (YA) & Children’s Books:
- “Cemetery Boys” by Aiden Thomas: A paranormal YA novel featuring a trans Latinx teen who summons a ghost—and an unexpected romance.
- “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: A heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship, family, and first love between two Mexican-American boys.
- “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell: A beloved children’s picture book about two male penguins at the Central Park Zoo who raise a chick together.
- “I Am Jazz” by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings: A picture book based on the real-life experiences of Jazz Jennings, a transgender activist and TV personality.
LGBTQ+ History & Theory:
- “Queer: A Graphic History” by Meg-John Barker & Julia Scheele: An accessible, illustrated guide to the history of queer theory, gender studies, and identity politics.
- “The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World” by Alan Downs: A thought-provoking exploration of the emotional challenges faced by gay men in contemporary society.
- “Transgender History” by Susan Stryker: A concise, insightful overview of transgender history from the mid-20th century to the present.
