For 2024-25, the UUA provides a UU Common Read resource kit for Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families.

When we do a UU Common Read together, we share in reflection, learning, and action. A UU Common Read can take us on a powerful journey into what it means to be human and accountable in a world filled with both pain and joy.

Common Read 2024-25: Authentic Selves

The 2024-25 UU Common Read is Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families (Skinner House, 2023).

Through interviews and photo portraits, the subjects of this book invite readers into their real lives--their revelations, challenges, joys, and networks of support. From the foreword by transgender activist Jazz Jennings and her mom and fellow activist, Jeanette Jennings, through the resources offered at the book's end, this Common Read invites UU groups to explore the nature of living authentically and the ways connections among us help us thrive.

As the book ends, Peggy Gillespie, who conducted the interviews, writes, "...the journey of self-discovery continues for the participants and for you, the readers. Whether you are trans and/or nonbinary, questioning your identity, have trans and nonbinary loved ones, or perhaps all of the above, please remember always that you are not alone. In every moment of your lives there are opportunities to strengthen your pride and acceptance of all people, including yourselves."

Discussion Guides

This Common Read offers two, parallel discussion tracks: one for a UU group with any or mixed gender identities, and one for UU participants with a trans or nonbinary identity. Each discussion guide consists of four 90-minute sessions that religious professionals or lay leaders may facilitate in-person or online.

Additionally, the resource kit for Authentic Selves includes a fifth session (or stand-alone) session for parents and caregivers, and a four-part youth group workshop.

Please start by reading this Invitation and Overview page. It introduces the resources and provides recommended practices to bring the UU Common Read of Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families to your UU group.

Purchase the book from inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop. Discounts on bulk orders of 10 or more books.

Videos

Video segments produced for this UU Common Read introduce some of the people who lent their stories to the Authentic Selves book.

To promote your Common Read in your congregation, share the video "Why Is It Important That This Book Is a UU Common Read?" (Vimeo).

Previous UU Common Read Selections

• 2023-24 On Repentance and Repair by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg; UU Common Read resources for On Repentance and Repair
• 2022-23 Mistakes and Miracles by Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin; UU Common Read Mistakes and Miracles resources
• 2021-22 Defund Fear by Zach Norris; UU Common Read Defund Fear resources
• 2020-21 Breathe by Imani Perry; UU Common Read Breathe resources
• 2019-20 An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (Beacon Press, 2015) and An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People  adapted by Jean Mendoza and Debbie Reese (Beacon Press, 2019); UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 37 pages)
• 2018-19 Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and Environment, edited by Manish Mishra-Marzetti and Jennifer Nordstrom; UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 34 pages)
• 2017-18 Centering (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 28 pages)) and Daring Democracy (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 31 pages))
• 2016-17 The Third Reconstruction by The Reverend Dr. William J. Barber with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 27 pages))
• 2015-16 Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (UU Common Read discussion materials)
• 2014-15 Reclaiming Prophetic Witness by Paul Rasor (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 20 pages))
• 2013-14 Behind the Kitchen Door by Saru Jayaraman (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 20 pages))
• 2012-13 The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 19 pages))
• 2011-12 Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 17 pages))
• 2010-11 The Death of Josseline by Margaret Regan (UU Common Read discussion guide (PDF, 28 pages))