Connelly Akstens – Without Shame: Learning to Be Me

Transgender author and activist Connelly Akstens will read from her recent memoir, Without Shame: Learning to Be Me. In this collection of essays, Akstens’ writes about her transgender life, but also about her beloved grandfather, the Cambridge music scene in the ‘60s, Woodstock in the ‘70s, her years as an Adirondack fly fishing guide, a lunatic dog and four tuxedo cats, Boston and Cape Cod, a bohemian aunt, and lots more!

Connelly Akstens lives in Rhode Island, and teaches Shakespeare and the History of Ideas at Empire State College of the State University of New York. She has also been a volunteer for SpeakOUT Boston, a concert performer and recording artist, professional fly fishing guide and long-time contributor to Adirondack Life. 

“Connelly Akstens has written about what is funny, absurd, painful and challenging in a long life with a secret at the center of it…. Connelly’s work encourages us to be honest with ourselves and curious and authentic with each other”—Elaine Handley, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Writing and Poetry

“Without Shame is a beautifully written, amusing and perceptive memoir of a highly unusual life journey, recounted with singularly sly wit.”—Richard Ferrone, actor

“An extraordinary journey. Fascinating. Touching. Funny. Don’t miss it. This is a sharp, beautifully-written book about the happy-sad-frightening-lucky-unlucky discoveries we make about ourselves as we grow up… Akstens offers stunning insight into the transgender experience, and also gives us the humor and emotion of all aspects of a life well lived.”—Richard DiLallo, author

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Copies of Without Shame will be available at the reading. This event is free and the public is warmly welcome to attend. RSVP (below) is appreciated as seating is limited. For more information, please email programs@normanwilliams.org.