Readers' Choice Award Nomination: Kate Bornstein

Photo by Maxwell Lander

Although many have expressed their desire to save the lives of young people who may be considering suicide, Kate Bornstein has taken action, writing books, giving lectures and workshops, and tirelessly advocating that she wants to save the "teens, freaks, and other outlaws" from killing themselves.

Bornstein first rose to prominence with her performance pieces nearly 25 years ago and the publication of her book Gender Outlaw in 1994. She's since edited Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation in collaboration with S. Bear Bergman and published numerous other books further transgender understanding. Bornstein's autobiography, titled A Queer and Pleasant Danger: A Memoir, was released in 2012 and earlier this year she released My New Gender Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving World Peace Through Gender Anarchy and Sex Positivity. She recently published an open letter to Chelsea Manning, labeled a whistelblower, after she was sentenced to prison by the United States government for releasing secrets to the wider public with official consent.

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Although Kate has chronic lymphocytic leukemia and was diagnosed with lung cancer, she remains strong in her desire to make the world a better, stronger, more loving place. "I want to live," she said in a recent interview. "And I want to help all the people out there who may be considering taking their own lives."

Watch a clip of Bornstein talking about her autobiography below: