January | Lavender Literary Society: Nico Lang x Raquel Willis

The is a space for community and connection, bridging generations through the magic of storytelling. The selections will be a mix of popular queer history and memoir with inspiring authors and iconic guest facilitators. The pages we turn will become stepping stones for intergenerational dialogue, fostering understanding, empathy, and unity. Together, we’ll traverse the landscapes of queer culture, savoring the nuances and complexities that make our stories uniquely ours.

This isn’t just a book club; it’s a movement. Reading together becomes a powerful act of empowerment, a catalyst for change, and a testament to the resilience of the LGBTQ+ spirit. Participants will be a part of something extraordinary. In this book club, we won’t just read, we’ll weave the threads of our stories into a tapestry of strength, resilience, and pride.

Nico Lang (they/them) is a nonbinary award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience covering the transgender community’s fight for equality. Their work has appeared in major publications, including Rolling Stone, Esquire, The New York Times, Vox, The Wall Street Journal, Salon, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Lang is the creator of Queer News Daily and previously served as the deputy editor for Out magazine, the news editor for Them, the LGBTQ+ correspondent for VICE, and the editor and cofounder of the literary journal In Our Words. Their industry-leading contributions to queer media have resulted in a GLAAD Media Award, 10 awards from the National Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA), and three awards from the Los Angeles Press Club, including the 2023 Online Journalist of the Year. Lang is also the first-ever recipient of the Visibility Award from the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), an honor created to recognize their impactful contributions to reporting on the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

As an activist, public speaker, and journalist for more than a decade, Raquel Willis’ powerful voice has shed light on the unique struggles faced by trans women of color. From grassroots organizing in Atlanta, to challenging police profiling and mass incarceration, to leading the Atlanta Trans Liberation Tuesday mobilization with Black Lives Matter, Raquel’s dedication to advocacy for Black folks is unwavering. Among many projects and award-winning publications, Raquel also created Black Trans Circles to address anti-trans violence, focusing “on developing the leadership of Black trans women in the South and Midwest by creating healing justice spaces.” Additionally, Raquel continues to use her platform to fundraise for Black-led LGBTQ+ initiatives and champion campaigns for Black and LGBTQ+ communities.

Our beautiful graphic is designed by the incredible Loveis Wise (they/he), a multidisciplinary artist, designer, creative director, and Capricorn, drawing reimagined futures and playfulness in Los Angeles.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. Please reach out with any questions, requests or needs to [email protected]. For more information about Center for Fiction please visit their website at centerforfiction.org.

Host or Publisher The American LGBTQ+ Museum