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popcorndiva 's review for:
Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States
by Samantha Allen
4.5 Stars
Do you ever read a book and just feel so validated? Because that is exactly what happened to me when I read this book.
For a bit of context, I am from East Tennessee, my parents are lesbians, and I love the Vols. As much as I hate being in the bible belt at times, I have never been able to truly leave my hometown. Even though I still have urges to live somewhere else for a while just to experience something different, I know that I’ll always want to come back here, to home. And sometimes I’ve felt bad about that. How can you love a home where so much hatred has always been directed towards you and your family? How can you call a place home when you’ve been kicked off sports teams or bullied because of who your parents choose to love(which BTW @ everyone I grew up with, my moms are badass people who have been together for 27 years and raised me with more love than anyone else I know)? Despite all the negative experiences my family and I have had here, I still love it. I love UT Football and the Lady Vols (although they have both been breaking my heart in recent year). I love the mountains; being able to hike anytime you want in arguably the best mountain range in the country is pretty cool. Also, Pal’s Sudden Service (Thank you so much to Samantha Allen for shouting out the absolute best fast food you can ever get.) And that is really just scratching the surface of what I love about my hometown.
All of this to say, it is home because you make it home. It is home because I want to make this town better. It seems unfair to give up all the things I love about where I live just because some less than understanding people live here also. One of the major themes of this book is the importance of changing the place you love for the better; help provide support for other like minded people in your area who are facing similar struggles. I never really understood why I wanted to stay here, but after reading this book and seeing everyone else’s stories about living in similar places I’ve just been so inspired. I no longer feel guilty for loving my city. I feel inspired to make it better. Why not start a feminist bookclub here? Why not get involved in programs that are already going on? Why not love the town with my whole heart, flaws and all?
There’s about a million and one things I can say about this book, but this is the most heartfelt thing I can say. Just a huge thank you to Samantha Allen for writing this book. For showing everyone, those who live in towns like this and those who don’t, why it’s so important to love your town and fight for it. And for validating the lives and experiences of people of all genders and sexual identities. I cannot wait to read more by her; I’ve already followed her on twitter; if you guys haven’t done the same you’re missing out on quality content. Also, if you haven’t read this book you’re absolutely missing out. Read this. Like right now. You’re going to love it for the stories it has to tell, for the way it makes you love yourself and where you’re from, for the way it explores the life experiences of others, and for the way it inspires you to fight for something bigger than yourself.
Do you ever read a book and just feel so validated? Because that is exactly what happened to me when I read this book.
For a bit of context, I am from East Tennessee, my parents are lesbians, and I love the Vols. As much as I hate being in the bible belt at times, I have never been able to truly leave my hometown. Even though I still have urges to live somewhere else for a while just to experience something different, I know that I’ll always want to come back here, to home. And sometimes I’ve felt bad about that. How can you love a home where so much hatred has always been directed towards you and your family? How can you call a place home when you’ve been kicked off sports teams or bullied because of who your parents choose to love(which BTW @ everyone I grew up with, my moms are badass people who have been together for 27 years and raised me with more love than anyone else I know)? Despite all the negative experiences my family and I have had here, I still love it. I love UT Football and the Lady Vols (although they have both been breaking my heart in recent year). I love the mountains; being able to hike anytime you want in arguably the best mountain range in the country is pretty cool. Also, Pal’s Sudden Service (Thank you so much to Samantha Allen for shouting out the absolute best fast food you can ever get.) And that is really just scratching the surface of what I love about my hometown.
All of this to say, it is home because you make it home. It is home because I want to make this town better. It seems unfair to give up all the things I love about where I live just because some less than understanding people live here also. One of the major themes of this book is the importance of changing the place you love for the better; help provide support for other like minded people in your area who are facing similar struggles. I never really understood why I wanted to stay here, but after reading this book and seeing everyone else’s stories about living in similar places I’ve just been so inspired. I no longer feel guilty for loving my city. I feel inspired to make it better. Why not start a feminist bookclub here? Why not get involved in programs that are already going on? Why not love the town with my whole heart, flaws and all?
There’s about a million and one things I can say about this book, but this is the most heartfelt thing I can say. Just a huge thank you to Samantha Allen for writing this book. For showing everyone, those who live in towns like this and those who don’t, why it’s so important to love your town and fight for it. And for validating the lives and experiences of people of all genders and sexual identities. I cannot wait to read more by her; I’ve already followed her on twitter; if you guys haven’t done the same you’re missing out on quality content. Also, if you haven’t read this book you’re absolutely missing out. Read this. Like right now. You’re going to love it for the stories it has to tell, for the way it makes you love yourself and where you’re from, for the way it explores the life experiences of others, and for the way it inspires you to fight for something bigger than yourself.