“Authentic Selves is exquisite proof that transgender and nonbinary people don’t have to ask for permission to participate in the creativity of our own survival. Here are our families. Here is our love. There’s no denying." —Taylor Mac, theatre artist and author of Joy and Pandemic, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, and A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, among others

“Peggy Gillespie continues her pioneering work, this time by offering a safe space for trans and nonbinary people and their families to discuss the joys and challenges of openly living their authentic lives. These inspiring accounts offer indisputable proof that love conquers all. The words and photographs found here have the potential to save lives and make the world a safer place for everyone.” —Lesléa Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies and Sparkle Boy

“As a Black, genderqueer woman, I had no role models or positive representation of what it meant to be someone who identified outside of the binary. For me, the lack of visibility for those who were just like me led to a long and arduous road to self-acceptance. . . . I wish I had a book like Authentic Selves on my journey. The beautiful images in this book are more than pictures; they represent freedom. The stories in this book are not merely words but medicine for our wounds created by a society that's not yet ready to accept our truth. It's critical that we see and learn about the full spectrum of our identities; it is just as essential for the world to see.” —Stacey Stevenson, CEO of Family Equality