Earlier this year, Ball State University professor Ben Bascom published his first book, “Feeling Singular: Queer Masculinities in the Early United States.” It’s an academic text, packed with literary and historical theories.
But, beyond that, it tells the stories of early American figures who wanted their stories celebrated and kept alive, and whose different ideas of masculine success blocked their recognition. They were born in a different time — none of them are people who I’d read about before, and I’m guessing that’s true for the overwhelming majority of folks.
To celebrate his book, Bascom wanted to do more than talk about theories and histories (though of course, he’s happy to do that). That’s why at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Indy Reads Books, you can see him alongside four Indiana writers — Imani Lehté, Jay Kibble, Victoria Logan and Scoot Swain — at Queer & Trans Life: Writing Today & Feeling Singular.
What’s it like to be queer and creative in Indiana today?
Bascom’s goal is to create a space at Indy Reads where writers can share their experiences.
“They’re going to bring forward the beautiful tapestry of the queer community in Indiana,” Bascom said about the group of writers, who are also his former students. “So I think that this event is for people to feel seen and heard in different ways.”
Bascom will share what he learned about queerness through writing his book. Then, speakers will share how queerness relates to their creativity and share some of their work. Their writing covers a range of experiences, from the revelatory feeling of falling in love to familial exclusion and mourning.
Kibble will read from a memoir that delves into his experience growing up with undiagnosed autism and as a closeted trans man. The memoir explores and honors Kibble’s complicated relationship with his cousin – one left unresolved by his cousin’s death.
“I’m not alone in my struggles. There’s plenty of folks who are trans and autistic who’ve dealt with similar issues,” said Kibble. “I want to be a source of hope and inspiration to those at the margins and the overlap.”
‘Queer people have always lived and always existed’
“Feeling Singular” shares how some individuals chose lives that didn’t follow the rules of the time, and because of that, ended up being excluded or made the subject of heightened (and negative) attention.
In other words, the powers and institutions that existed did not allow them to be who they were freely.
“Having institutional recognition of queerness is important to ensure its longevity, to ensure that the future can point back and be like, okay, yeah, queer people have always lived and always existed,” said Bascom.
Lehté, a poet and creative writer, is looking forward to sharing their work and how creativity has served as a lifeline. They describe Bascom’s class as “life-changing” and art as a “saving grace” for Black and Brown folks.
“I invited all my friends and my mom,” Lehté said. “So the people I love will get to hear me share my heart in a way that they haven’t before.”
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