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annewrites 's review for:
I Spoke to You with Silence: Essays from Queer Mormons of Marginalized Genders
by Jenn Lee Smith, Kerry Spencer Pray
This was a heartbreaking read that I found myself nearly unable to put down. I would almost have read it all in one sitting if not for the very heavy subject matter in some of the essays--I had to put it down to take a breather a few times. Reading personal essays-- especially from queer Mormons of marginalized genders (these stories are primarily told by trans men and women, cis women, and nonbinary individuals)--is powerful in approaching an understanding of what our queer brothers and sisters, children, parents, and friends have suffered and continue to suffer.
As a collection of writings from nonprofessional writers, I was impressed with how accessible and readable it was--a mark of thoughtful compliling/editing. I do wish this book had some sort of a conclusion, some discussion about how to try to make sense of all this or what possible next steps might be taken. But, appropriately, the stories are left largely to speak for themselves, with only brief introductions from the editors/compilers. Because there is no one answer--just a lot of pain. This book's primary purpose is to carry queer Mormon stories as they are, in all their diversity, messiness, and sorrow. That is part of what makes it such a powerful collection.
As a person who does her best to love and care about others, the fact that these voices continue to be silenced and ignored is unacceptable to me. This dark side of the LDS Church is one that every member needs to confront, and this volume is certainly eye-opening in that regard. I wish everyone would read this and hold the Church as an institution accountable for past and continued harm they are doing. But--and I hate to say it--I'm not holding my breath.
As a collection of writings from nonprofessional writers, I was impressed with how accessible and readable it was--a mark of thoughtful compliling/editing. I do wish this book had some sort of a conclusion, some discussion about how to try to make sense of all this or what possible next steps might be taken. But, appropriately, the stories are left largely to speak for themselves, with only brief introductions from the editors/compilers. Because there is no one answer--just a lot of pain. This book's primary purpose is to carry queer Mormon stories as they are, in all their diversity, messiness, and sorrow. That is part of what makes it such a powerful collection.
As a person who does her best to love and care about others, the fact that these voices continue to be silenced and ignored is unacceptable to me. This dark side of the LDS Church is one that every member needs to confront, and this volume is certainly eye-opening in that regard. I wish everyone would read this and hold the Church as an institution accountable for past and continued harm they are doing. But--and I hate to say it--I'm not holding my breath.