Reclaiming Our Rich Gender-Variant Heritage: A Journey Through Oral Histories

Caro De Robertis was profoundly touched by their experience interviewing BIPOC queer and trans elders as part and parcel with their work on "I See My Light Shining," an oral history project. These heartfelt conversations revealed incredible insights about how these elders forged communities and built chosen families during tough times like during and after their experiences with AIDS, in early drag culture, and in spearheading queer-led social justice movements.

"I stumbled upon treasures. I heard captivating stories, shared rare intimacies, and witnessed profound beauty. The behind-the-scenes tales made clear what it meant—and continues on meaning—to carve out an authentic life path despite all odds," De Robertis explains in their introduction. Their new book, *So Many Stars: An Oral History on Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People* unravels these stories. The elders' tales not only captivated De Robertis but also showed their incredible power—to delight, heal, and inspire.

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So Many Stars came alive through De Robertis' deep dives with 20 diverse queer elders. These stories beautifully weave together identities as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian/Pacific Islander, stretching from Mexico and Philippines, over Panama and China, and throughout America.

As someone who immigrated from Latin America and explored their own gender identity through labels like genderqueer, nonbinary, transmasculine, butch, and woman, De Robertis felt a profound urge—an obligation even—to share these voices. They set out determinedly: trans identities aren't just "modern trends." "It's vital," De Robertis emphasizes, "that we acknowledge we always existed."

Resilience and identity

This book shines a light on how trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, two-spirit, and gender-variant individuals have deeply influenced cultural landscapes. De Robertis stresses it—recognizing these elders' lineages and cultural legacies matters. Too often, mainstream stories let this disappear.

In that opening chapter, many voices affirm they knew their queer sexual orientation or gender identity from childhood. Some might see this as radical. But, De Robertis challenges that moral panic over children's gender and sexual identities. They argue, “Social transition doesn't harm; it can only support.”

Queer sacredness: finding a new angle

Take Tupili Lea Arellano, one narrator—they see their queer identity as sacred. This redefines traditional notions. De Robertis makes a compelling case—sacredness should stretch beyond religious lines. It should honor what in human connection feels truly precious and meaningful.

De Robertis' interviews pull back a curtain on resistance, where queer folks stand firm—for themselves and their communities. These stories don't just show survival; they paint a struggle toward dignity and justice.

Navigating complex family dynamics

De Robertis takes on complex family dynamics head-on, recognizing how layered these relationships can be, especially within communities populated by people color. "It matters that we extend grace," De Robertis insists, "to queer and trans folks as they navigate these intricate bonds."

Nothing gets sugarcoated—be it black market hormones or early sexual awakenings. De Robertis believes these stories must be told, embracing all complexities inherent in queer lives.

Preserving culture and heritage

Stories from Indigenous experiences, like preserving Choctaw language or organizing Two-Spirit powwows, stand out in their cultural weight. De Robertis insists that these narratives are keys that unlock understanding gender variance around and across cultures.

The book magnifies cultural art as a lifeline—a venue rich with music, tango, and storytelling. De Robertis sees cultural work as essential groundwork, laying bricks toward shaping societal change.

AIDS legacy and lessons ahead

Personal accounts from amid and since during AIDS crisis serve as powerful reminders—of resilience, digging deep, and building community in darkness. These stories offer critical lessons as queer and trans communities face headwinds now.

De Robertis finishes with empowerment and hope: Each action layers our cultural fabric. Through everyday acts, we can erect a future that opens arm-wide, embracing diversity, honoring an abundant cultural history.