I’m alarmed and disgusted by the increasing attacks on trans people, including laws aimed at denying them health care and freedom of expression. These laws endanger my friends, and make it increasingly difficult for my trans author colleagues to simply do their jobs by appearing in public to meet with readers. Bans on bodily autonomy and regulations on what people wear affect my own rights as a cisgender woman, and as a feminist, I’m appalled. As a Canadian, I know very well that my own country has a lot of work to do in the field of justice, and I am also keenly aware that bigots in my country gain strength and support from every new anti-trans bill created south of the border.

With that in mind, I’m happy to join the Trans Rights Readathon, a project spearheaded by Sim Kern. From March 20 to 27, I’m going to be reading The Unbalancing by R.B. Lemberg, one of my favourite writers.

I’ll also be donating $100 CAD to the Trans Health fund at the Centretown Community Health Centre here in Ottawa. (See update below — March 26)

Here’s how you can join in, if you like! Donate to the same charity as me by going here (choose Trans Health in the drop-down link.) Or, if you prefer, donate to the Transgender Law Center. Either is great! If you have a preferred trans rights charity or a trans individual in your life who needs support, just let me know where your donation will go. Email me (at kateheartfield@gmail.com) a picture or screenshot of the receipt (with personal info blacked out if you like) by March 27. Any amount, big or small, is fine.

On March 28, I will choose one person from those who have emailed me receipts, and mail that person a signed copy of any one of my books. Any book, your choice, and anywhere in the world.

Thanks and happy reading!

UPDATE

I’ve made my donation, and along with the receipts sent to me, the total raised in my little corner of the readathon was $258 CAD or $188 USD. Hooray!