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Stellar Nursery: On My (Trans) Body and My Choice
Stellar Nursery follows trans/nonbinary poet and artist k.g. strayer’s struggle for bodily autonomy. from abortion to top surgery, colliding galaxies to cellular division, strayer’s lyric prose explores what it means to move through the modern world in a contentious body.
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The state-mandated “counseling” packet Strayer receives a week before their abortion in 2014 describes the embryo in relation to coins—the height of a nickel, the diameter of a dime. Meant to make them picture holding it in their hands. Instead, Strayer’s imagination conjures a whole galaxy in its place—a star being born.
Years later in 2022, Roe V. Wade is overturned. The decision is a catalyst that sets in motion explosive consequences in Strayer’s personal life, and their access to life-saving top surgery hangs in the balance.
Strayer’s memoir is a heartfelt account of the layered ways our struggles against
fascism converge in the context of lived experience.
To meet the world fully embodied—is that a choice we can all make equally?
--
The state-mandated “counseling” packet Strayer receives a week before their abortion in 2014 describes the embryo in relation to coins—the height of a nickel, the diameter of a dime. Meant to make them picture holding it in their hands. Instead, Strayer’s imagination conjures a whole galaxy in its place—a star being born.
Years later in 2022, Roe V. Wade is overturned. The decision is a catalyst that sets in motion explosive consequences in Strayer’s personal life, and their access to life-saving top surgery hangs in the balance.
Strayer’s memoir is a heartfelt account of the layered ways our struggles against
fascism converge in the context of lived experience.
To meet the world fully embodied—is that a choice we can all make equally?
135 pages, Paperback
Published February 19, 2024
2 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 9, 2024
Very short, but powerful read. Poetic writing.
April 22, 2024
“Something like a conversation began to fester in my mother's mouth.”
This short memoir in prose poems is beautiful and an absolute joy to read. We learn about the authors masectomy, boob implants, relationship to their body, relationship before, during and after realising they are trans with their partner and parents, raising chickens in their garden, gardening, abortion, love and their fascination with stars and space. What I really liked was the beautiful phrasing, poignant rendering of emotions and how emotional vignettes were crafted from small and huge moments in their life with equal interest and care. I also really liked their inclusion of facts about space and stars, despite not studying astronomy or having a phd in the subject, because to me this felt very democratizing of interests and facts: we can also apprechiate the beauty and wonder of science in our brains and writing without needing to be the person who discovered it (which one sometimes forgets when reading brilliant non fiction books about topics by people who contributed to the research). Not only this, but these facts about space are cleverly coupled with emotions and vignettes that they add to the emotional weight of their narrative.
“My father tried to stay in touch, lurking on the margins of on life like a double agent. He kept it a secret from my mother.
After I shaved half my head into an undercut-the asymmen so affirming, so two-things-at-once-her vitriol exploded.
"Your mom thinks you're...a lesbian," he said, his voice trembling with discomfort. I didn't answer. I said: *what do you think?" But we both didn't know. And I would never answer him.”
“There is essentially no sound in deep space-the large, seemingly empty areas between stars and planets. This is not a philosophical question, but one of vacuums and the way sound travels in molecular waves. The pain is about this kind of silence. A way to live from moment to moment by holding, desperately, to the nothingness in between.”
This short memoir in prose poems is beautiful and an absolute joy to read. We learn about the authors masectomy, boob implants, relationship to their body, relationship before, during and after realising they are trans with their partner and parents, raising chickens in their garden, gardening, abortion, love and their fascination with stars and space. What I really liked was the beautiful phrasing, poignant rendering of emotions and how emotional vignettes were crafted from small and huge moments in their life with equal interest and care. I also really liked their inclusion of facts about space and stars, despite not studying astronomy or having a phd in the subject, because to me this felt very democratizing of interests and facts: we can also apprechiate the beauty and wonder of science in our brains and writing without needing to be the person who discovered it (which one sometimes forgets when reading brilliant non fiction books about topics by people who contributed to the research). Not only this, but these facts about space are cleverly coupled with emotions and vignettes that they add to the emotional weight of their narrative.
“My father tried to stay in touch, lurking on the margins of on life like a double agent. He kept it a secret from my mother.
After I shaved half my head into an undercut-the asymmen so affirming, so two-things-at-once-her vitriol exploded.
"Your mom thinks you're...a lesbian," he said, his voice trembling with discomfort. I didn't answer. I said: *what do you think?" But we both didn't know. And I would never answer him.”
“There is essentially no sound in deep space-the large, seemingly empty areas between stars and planets. This is not a philosophical question, but one of vacuums and the way sound travels in molecular waves. The pain is about this kind of silence. A way to live from moment to moment by holding, desperately, to the nothingness in between.”
January 5, 2025
beautiful and poetic.
April 16, 2024
Through lyrical prose and incisive critique, "Stellar Nursery" by KG Strayer illuminates the celestial journey of self-discovery and advocacy for bodily autonomy, inviting readers to navigate the cosmic tapestry of identity and resilience.
Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up
In "Stellar Nursery: On My (Trans) Body and My Choice," KG Strayer orchestrates a celestial symphony of words, weaving together themes of bodily autonomy, gender fluidity, reproductive justice, and the intertwining complexities of personal and societal struggles. With their poignant memoir-in-verse, Strayer invites readers on an intimate journey through the cosmos of their lived experiences, challenging conventional norms and advocating for a more expansive understanding of identity and self-expression.
At the heart of "Stellar Nursery" lies a profound exploration of the fluidity of gender and the intricate threads of human identity. Through lyrical prose and evocative imagery, Strayer deftly dismantles the constraints of cisgender gender socialization, urging readers to reconsider what they’ve been taught about their own genders. By sharing their own journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Strayer courageously confronts the social norms and expectations that seek to confine and control individual expression.
"Stellar Nursery" also serves as a powerful critique of the medical industrial complex and its pervasive influence on issues of bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. From the harrowing experience of receiving state-mandated counseling before an abortion to the threat posed by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Strayer lays bare the systemic barriers and injustices faced by marginalized individuals in navigating their own healthcare decisions. With unflinching clarity, they confront the insidious nature of patriarchal control and advocate fiercely for the right of every individual to make informed choices about their own bodies and lives.
Throughout the memoir, Strayer artfully incorporates elements of the natural world as allegorical motifs, drawing parallels between the processes of growth and transformation in the cosmos and the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The metaphor of the stellar nursery serves as a potent symbol of resilience and regeneration, reminding readers of the inherent beauty and power found in embracing one's own uniqueness and authenticity.
One of the most poignant moments in "Stellar Nursery" is Strayer's exploration of the relationship between self-love and external validation. Through their introspective musings, they confront the profound challenge of learning to love oneself in a world that often seeks to diminish and devalue marginalized identities. With aching vulnerability, they lay bare the struggle to reconcile internalized self-doubt and societal expectations, ultimately affirming the transformative power of self-acceptance and self-love, often through the support of community.
In addition to its profound thematic depth, "Stellar Nursery" is also a testament to Strayer's lyrical prowess and command of language. Their prose is luminous and evocative, imbued with a raw emotional intensity that resonates with deep intensity. Each page is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Strayer's inner world and bear witness to the complexities of their journey toward self-discovery and empowerment.
This debut book is a luminous and groundbreaking work that transcends the boundaries of genre and convention. Through their fearless exploration of identity, autonomy, and resilience, KG Strayer invites readers to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and self-affirmation. With its lyrical prose, incisive critique of social norms and unwavering advocacy for justice and liberation, "Stellar Nursery" stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to illuminate the darkest corners of the human experience and inspire hope for a more equitable and compassionate world.
📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Reproductive Justice, Champions of Gender Fluidity, Critics of Patriarchal Control, Fans of Anne Boyer’s “The Undying.”
🔑 Key Themes: Bodily Autonomy, Religious Trauma, Gender Socialization, Intersectionality, Healthcare Inequality, Climate Justice, Liberation from Societal Norms.
‼️ Content / Trigger Warnings: Abortion, animal death, cancer, familial estrangement, medical trauma, transphobia. See book notes for full trigger warnings and corresponding page numbers.
Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up
In "Stellar Nursery: On My (Trans) Body and My Choice," KG Strayer orchestrates a celestial symphony of words, weaving together themes of bodily autonomy, gender fluidity, reproductive justice, and the intertwining complexities of personal and societal struggles. With their poignant memoir-in-verse, Strayer invites readers on an intimate journey through the cosmos of their lived experiences, challenging conventional norms and advocating for a more expansive understanding of identity and self-expression.
At the heart of "Stellar Nursery" lies a profound exploration of the fluidity of gender and the intricate threads of human identity. Through lyrical prose and evocative imagery, Strayer deftly dismantles the constraints of cisgender gender socialization, urging readers to reconsider what they’ve been taught about their own genders. By sharing their own journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Strayer courageously confronts the social norms and expectations that seek to confine and control individual expression.
"Stellar Nursery" also serves as a powerful critique of the medical industrial complex and its pervasive influence on issues of bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. From the harrowing experience of receiving state-mandated counseling before an abortion to the threat posed by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Strayer lays bare the systemic barriers and injustices faced by marginalized individuals in navigating their own healthcare decisions. With unflinching clarity, they confront the insidious nature of patriarchal control and advocate fiercely for the right of every individual to make informed choices about their own bodies and lives.
Throughout the memoir, Strayer artfully incorporates elements of the natural world as allegorical motifs, drawing parallels between the processes of growth and transformation in the cosmos and the journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. The metaphor of the stellar nursery serves as a potent symbol of resilience and regeneration, reminding readers of the inherent beauty and power found in embracing one's own uniqueness and authenticity.
One of the most poignant moments in "Stellar Nursery" is Strayer's exploration of the relationship between self-love and external validation. Through their introspective musings, they confront the profound challenge of learning to love oneself in a world that often seeks to diminish and devalue marginalized identities. With aching vulnerability, they lay bare the struggle to reconcile internalized self-doubt and societal expectations, ultimately affirming the transformative power of self-acceptance and self-love, often through the support of community.
In addition to its profound thematic depth, "Stellar Nursery" is also a testament to Strayer's lyrical prowess and command of language. Their prose is luminous and evocative, imbued with a raw emotional intensity that resonates with deep intensity. Each page is a masterpiece of imagery and emotion, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Strayer's inner world and bear witness to the complexities of their journey toward self-discovery and empowerment.
This debut book is a luminous and groundbreaking work that transcends the boundaries of genre and convention. Through their fearless exploration of identity, autonomy, and resilience, KG Strayer invites readers to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and self-affirmation. With its lyrical prose, incisive critique of social norms and unwavering advocacy for justice and liberation, "Stellar Nursery" stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling to illuminate the darkest corners of the human experience and inspire hope for a more equitable and compassionate world.
📖 Recommended For: Advocates of Reproductive Justice, Champions of Gender Fluidity, Critics of Patriarchal Control, Fans of Anne Boyer’s “The Undying.”
🔑 Key Themes: Bodily Autonomy, Religious Trauma, Gender Socialization, Intersectionality, Healthcare Inequality, Climate Justice, Liberation from Societal Norms.
‼️ Content / Trigger Warnings: Abortion, animal death, cancer, familial estrangement, medical trauma, transphobia. See book notes for full trigger warnings and corresponding page numbers.
March 25, 2024
finished this in one sitting. it’s fucking STUNNING. unbelievably beautiful and visceral and heartbreaking and brave. adds a much-needed and incredibly human perspective to the national abortion discussion. a must-read
May 28, 2024
really enjoyed this one. loved the zooming in and out from corporeal to cosmic, and back again. always appreciate when authors explore the topic of abortion. this collection reminds me of maggie nelson’s “bluets” in both form and vulnerability.
plus, a local author!!
plus, a local author!!
March 22, 2024
Raw. Honest. Poetic.
June 27, 2024
Enjoyed this one - finished it wishing it was longer!
(I’m still thinking about Marcie the duck and Donna the rooster btw)
(I’m still thinking about Marcie the duck and Donna the rooster btw)
October 9, 2024
Read it. Amazing, eye opening, uninhibited. This is a book I will gift to many and reread often.
November 26, 2024
a wonderful meditation on what it means to be queer in a world that constantly surveils us, and the resistance we can provide to survive
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews