Akwaeke Emezi

#AkwaekeEmezi (June 6, 1987 – ): Emezi a writer and visual artist born and raised in #Nigeria. Their books, which deal with a variety of topics that explore body and spirit binary as well as gender constructs, have garnered international praise and awards. Their debut book, #Freshwater, is a semi-autobiographical work that explores their #Igbo spirituality and gender while comparing this with how it clashes at times with Western views. In 2019 the book was nominated for the #WomensPrizeForFiction in the UK, which made Emezi the first non-binary transgender author ever nominated for the prize. This has brought about a discussion by the judge’s panel on how to celebrate transgender, gender non-binary, and genderfluid authors within their nominating practices and awards. Their newest book, #TheDeathOfVivekOji, released in August 2020 and became a #NewYorkTimesBestSeller. Another book, a memoir entitled #DearSenthuranABlackSpiritMemoir was released early this month. Speaking to their transition, Emezi has said, “My surgeries were a bridge across realities, a spirit customizing its vessel to reflect its nature.” #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPride #Pride #LegendsOfPride #YouCannotEraseUs