WPS Author Interview Day 6: Kimm Topping

 WPS Author Interview Day 6: Kimm Topping

Welcome to day 6 of the Wonderland Pride Spotlight author interviews! Today I am interviewing Kimm Topping. To see all of the spotlight posts created by my lovely community, head over to the hashtag #wonderlandpridespotlight over on Instagram! 

Kimm's Books

• Generation Queer

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Yep! I'm trans/gender fluid and queer."

2. What books of yours have LGBTQ+ representation, and what rep do they have?

"Generation Queer is my debut book and it features 31 people from around the country who started their advocacy as young people. They are artists, educators, and organizers all with different approaches to their work. There's representation across the entire LGBTQIA2S+ community in the book. The book also focuses on the ways that race, ethnicity, religion, disability, and class intersect with trans and queer experiences."

3. Why do you think LGBTQ+ rep in books is important?

"It's essential! We need to see ourselves represented to know what possibilities there are. You might have heard Laverne Cox talk about 'possibility models.' LGBTQ+ people don't need to be superheroes, but it's so crucial for us to see possibilities for our future. To imagine full lives for ourselves, and more loving, inclusive futures for all. Books are one way we access and celebrate those stories."

4. What got you into writing?

"I've been drawn to writing and any forms of art that tell the truth since I was pretty young. I love that writing and art can express truths about humanity in meaningful ways that people can connect to and access. After working with LGBTQ+ youth for years, I wanted to celebrate their brilliance, advocacy, and joy through my writing. I plan to keep at it! I've been working on new nonfiction projects and experimenting with poetry and fiction."

5. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"There are so many - all of the people featured in Generation Queer, of course. Janet Mock is also an incredible influence. Reading her book, Redefining Realness, was the first time I genuinely learned about trans people and communities in a positive way. I had the opportunity to see her speak, and it changed the way I understood myself. It helped me feel connected to this broader community."