My chapbook “Ain’t No Lie, I’m Bi, Bi, Bi” was selected as a finalist through Garden Party Collective’s annual chapbook contest. I’m thrilled to be selected as a finalist and that my manuscript was enjoyed by the judges.

This chapbook is a collection of poems, short fiction, and even visual collage exploring my queer identity. Some pieces are fun, tongue-in-cheek (as you might tell from my cheesy NSYSC title), while others explore themes of politics or navigating my Catholic upbringing with my present day self.

It felt essential to compile this collection in light of the current political climate which is banning transgender troops from servicing in the military, LGBTQ+ pride events at the Kennedy Center were cancelled, grants relating to LGBT issues were cancelled, companies pulled back from supporting diversity (though with my personal criticism of rainbow capitalism, I’m not very surprised), North Dakota tried to reverse gay marriage policies, the deletion of historical diversity highlights (which also led to the ridiculous removing of Enola Gay bomber which shows another layer of incompetence), and even on a local level, the banning of books that just so happened to mostly be queer (Sure, Jan!).

I will continue to fight for future, younger generations of queer kids will feel safe to be themselves and have rights in our society. If you’re a queer American or queer elsewhere in the world where you face discrimination, hatred, or bigotry, you are loved! Keep writing, making your art, making your voice heard! We have the right to exist!