flew through this. i wasn’t able to connect to some of it simply because i am not a mother but definitely made me think about the dichotomy of motherhood and lesbianism.

Heartbreakingly relevant and resonant. That Pratt includes the acceptance speech for the award given for this collection of poetry and a new afterword underscores the importance of context, reflection, and the broad impact of family separation. While clearly engaging with the realities of a state-defined family configuration and it’s homophobic/patriarchal roots, Pratt deftly connects how the family formation structure does not work or protect so many - the racialized, the poor, the undocumented to name a few. The book gave me a new way to think about family, mothers/children, and my own choices I have made as consciously childless and queer. If I was teaching I would offer this alongside a viewing of Carol and Dean Spade’s book against homonormativity. They would make for such good critical discussion. A heavy collection of essays and (mostly) poems, with healthy glimmers of resistance, resilience and healing. That motherhood and sex is laid so bare is a feat to witness. Pratt is a wonderful anti-racist white lesbian weaver of important words for us all.

Incredible read from Minnie-Bruce Pratt, outlining the traumatic incident of her losing custody of her children in 1975 after coming out as a lesbian. Minnie-Bruce uses such beautiful poetic imagery to convey such trauma, but not to make you feel for her, but for you to understand how powerful she is despite that. And she is; I am honored time and time again to call her a personal friend.