Erica's Trans Rights Readathon

Trans rights are under attack, and trans-specific organizations are underfunded, even compared to other LGBTQ+ nonprofits, healthcare, and legal defense funds. There are 380+ bills in US state legislation attacking trans rights, from access to gender-affirming healthcare and public restrooms to the ability to parent our children and wear the clothing of our choice. Many of these bills target trans children. But as the GOP’s fever pitch has expanded, they include trans adults as well and are aiming at other members of the queer community (LGBQIA+). Not to mention cishet people who don’t fit in little boxes or parent trans children.

The Trans Rights Readthon is an effort independently organized by the bookish community across platforms. It is to both fundraise for trans organizations and highlight books by trans authors. From March 20-27, 2023, I will be reading books by trans authors. I have 7 books on my to-read list, intending to read at least 4.

I plan to donate $20/book that I read. I’d love for you to match this, but you can choose your own donation pledge per book OR give a flat donation. Whatever makes the most sense for you! 💚

All donations to my readathon will benefit Trans Lifeline, a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.

As a nonbinary trans person, it’s been everything from rage-inducing to scary to utterly predictable behavior. I’m 39, and these bigots and grifters are recycling their 1990s slogans and eliminationist goals toward gay people that I watched as a queer kid. The difference is they have a vast media machine, social media, and too much money that allows them to get these bills into legislation. I appreciate your support as we’re stronger together. Thank you.

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Update: Thursday, March 23

We've hit over $1,500, and it's incredible! I've also been reading.

So far, I've finished 2 of 4 books: The Unbalancing by R.B. Lemberg (a fantasy novel) and Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier and Val Wise (YA romance graphic novel). They were both excellent.

If you're looking to stock your TBR all year round with books by trans authors, check out my TikTok for recommendations of different types and genres of books by trans authors.

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Update: Monday, March 13

Holy cow, friends! I cannot believe it, but we quickly hit that first $200 goal, then overnight, we hit the $600 I’d raised it to. I just upped it to $2,000 because let’s go bigger or go home.

The Readathon officially starts this Sunday. If you want to follow along or read along, I will be regularly updating here and on TikTok, Goodreads, and StoryGraph as I start and finish books.