Being Alive Book Club begins!

On the inauguration of the first transgender U.S. Representative—Sarah McBride

👋 Hello, 2025. Here we are.

After the post-election dust settled, I yearned for something positive to hang on to. Remarkably, in a grueling election season where trans people were frequently used as fear-mongering fundraising pawns, Delaware elected the first openly transgender person to represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. My social feeds were full of despair, and yet, many of us found hope in Sarah McBride’s victory. Only to then witness the horrifying newscycle around which bathroom the new Congresswoman could use. I should have seen this nonsense coming, but watching another woman go out of her way to attack a fellow member of Congress (about bathrooms?!) was too much.

I realized I knew nothing about the woman behind the headlines. Who is she? And how did Delaware voters enthusiastically promote State Senator Sarah McBride to Washington?

Perhaps you also have these questions—and more?

I spent 2024 investing in my Transmasc Library—reading novels, memoirs, YA, history, and poetry by and about transmasculine people. This year, I want to read in the community with all of you. And with a wider scope.

Today, Rep. McBride made history by being sworn into the 119th United States Congress. To celebrate, I am delighted to invite all of you to join me in reading her 2018 memoir Tomorrow Will Be Different with the brand-new Being Alive Book Club—a book club dedicated to reading books by trans authors.

I spent much of this week resting up and reading McBride. I’m a little more than halfway through, and it is already clear why Rep. McBride’s home state already loves her. Sarah McBride is a fierce advocate and public servant. Not even 30 when she wrote the book, her story is inspiring, jaw-dropping, and heart-breaking. You won’t regret learning more about her.

Consider this a joyful invitation to join me.

Opt A: Learn alongside with me. I’ll post 2-3x more times about Rep. McBride this month here in Being Alive. (I’ll also keep posting about all the other things that keep me going.)

Opt B: Read along and join the Being Alive Book Club conversation. Buy Tomorrow Will Be Different from your favorite bookseller, download the audiobook, or request from your local library. Then, join the conversation in the linked chat thread below.

Opt C: Read along and join the Being Alive Book Club gathering on Zoom. I’ve lined up a fantastic guest to join our first BABC meeting and I can’t wait to introduce her to all of you. Date and time TBD, but pencil in Wed Jan 22 or Mon Jan 27. I know I’ll need something to look forward to after Inauguration Day. It will be healing to gather with you all.

How does this sound? What questions do you have? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

I have big plans for the Being Alive Book Club. I mapped out the first seven books we’ll read together and lined up special author visits. Together, we’re going to read some great books, we’re going to learn about the diversity of trans experiences, and we are going to build some community.

I can’t think of a better way to start the year off. Join me?

xx Kyle