Journalist Nico Lang, whose award-winning work has been featured in a variety of LGBTQ+ and mainstream publications, spent a year traveling around the country to hear directly from eight trans and nonbinary teens about what it’s like to be who they are. Their new book “American Teenager” shares those stories — including the joys, challenges and mundane moments of their lives.
Lang is now touring the country to introduce the book to new readers. They initially didn’t believe Philadelphia would be one of the stops because of funding constraints.
But when Elizabeth Coffey-Williams — a pioneering LGBTQ+ advocate — heard Lang would need more support to come to the area, she collaborated with her friend Martha Madrigal to make it happen. The two women, who typically work together to co-facilitate TransWay — the trans and nonbinary peer discussion group of the William Way LGBT Community Center — reached into their networks to find the resources to bring Lang (and a bunch of free books) to Philadelphia and South Jersey.
“I don’t think any of us make anything happen alone, for sure,” said Coffey-Williams. “But in this case, the collaboration was just extraordinary.”
Coffey-Williams felt it was important to bring trans people and allies together over the book — which she believes shares a message of LGBTQ+ families not just managing survival but learning to thrive.
“I’m really just honored to be able to just be a small part of getting a positive message out to people who need one, to people who need to hold on to each other — who maybe need a soft place to land and can find it in this book,” she said — emphasizing that even though some LGBTQ+ people in New Jersey and Philadelphia might feel insulated by progressive-leaning politics, locals are still suffering and at-risk.
“American Teenager” follows supportive families and ones who are a little uncertain about what to make of trans identity. Some live in states where they face the tangible impact of legislative barriers in their daily lives — such as HRT bans — while others have been dealt luckier cards. Through it all, the kids are just like other teens — exploring their first major romantic relationships, honing their skills as they cultivate their biggest passions, and making plans for college.
Coffey-Williams believes there’s power in this kind of storytelling. She explained that when she was younger, she watched as the government turned a blind-eye to LGBTQ+ suffering during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis — underlining that it was through art and storytelling that many people finally learned the true impact of ignorance and discrimination and were moved to respond.
“There is more than one way to tell a story,” she said, noting that today, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is still traveling around to share the message that there’s still more to do in the fight against the illness and the queerphobia that accompanies HIV/AIDS stigma.
She hopes Lang’s book will offer a similar portrait — traveling to reach communities not just as a piece of art but also as a call to action.
“Nico wrote this book before the election — so obviously, things weren’t perfect then. But after the election has happened, we need this book now more than ever,” Coffey-Williams added.
She also hopes others see what she, Madrigal, and their many partners made happen in Lang’s marathon of a trip — not to get a pat on the back for her efforts but to remember their own strengths and the endless possibilities that can emerge when people stay connected in LGBTQ+ community.
Lang will be in the Philadelphia area Dec. 10-Dec. 15. Here’s where and when you can find them:
Tuesday, Dec. 10
6:30 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill, 401 Kings Hwy N, Cherry Hill Township, N.J.
Lang will be in conversation with Martha Madrigal — cohost of the queer-centered podcast “Full Circle” — before signing books for attendees. Local LGBTQ+ organizations will table — including PFLAG Collingswood and Garden State Equality, which sponsored the event. Other participants include Kaleidoscope, The Attic Youth Center, queer-affirming medical practices and places of worship, Maryville Integrated Care LGBTQIA+ program, GLSEN and others.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
7-9 p.m.
Collingswood Community Center Ballroom, 30 Collings Ave, Collingswood, N.J.
At this location, a more intimate circle discussion of the book will take place with PFLAG Collingswood.
Thursday, Dec. 12
7:30 p.m.
Online with TransWay
TransWay is hosting Lang via Zoom. Members of the group are invited to attend and will receive copies of “American Teenager” for free, courtesy of Woodbury City Councilperson Jo Miller — South Jersey’s first openly trans elected official.
Friday, Dec. 13
6-9 p.m.
Inkwood Books, 106 Kings Hwy E, Haddonfield, N.J.
Lang will be signing books at Haddonfield’s Inkwood Books during the town’s Friday night candlelight shopping.
Saturday, Dec. 14
12-2 p.m.
John C. Anderson Apartments, 251 S 13th St.
Residents of the John C. Anderson Apartments are invited to a private luncheon discussion with Lang. The William Way LGBT Community Center and TransWay will provide lunch. The Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund will provide free copies of the book to all attendees.
Saturday, Dec. 14
3-5 p.m.
Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St.
The store is hosting Lang for a discussion and book signing.