Award-winning LGBT journalist and author Samantha Allen

Shelf Life

''If the dominant LGBT narrative of the 20th century was a gay boy in the country buying a one-way bus ticket to the Big Apple, the untold story of the twenty-first is the queer girl in Tennessee who stays put.'' Just one of my favourite lines from Samantha Allen's fantastic travel memoir, Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States. This book, which was published in March, takes readers on an incredible journey through Red State America. Whether Samantha is in Provo, Utah, where she began her own journey as a Mormon college student, or with Jess Herbst, the first openly transgender mayor in Texas history, it feels like you are in the backseat alongside Samantha and her friend, Billy. Real Queer America gifts us with a much-needed spotlight on the extraordinary LGBT communities in states such as Utah, Texas and Indiana. Today as a happily married transgender woman, Samantha is the perfect champion and author to put these stories in the hands of allies around the world. I loved every second of this book and I was so honoured to chat with Samantha about her fantastic debut. I really hope you enjoy our episode. Buy Samantha's book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/real-queer-america/samantha-allen/9780316516037