“And if a book written by a queer trans Asian American can make you think of your own beaches, your own sunsets…then what more powerful statement of our common humanity can there be?”
- Name: Ryka Aoki
- From: California, USA
- Pronouns: She/her
- Contribution/Impact: Ryka Aoki is known for writing poetry and novels about transgender nonfiction and trans/queer individuals. Aoki has stated that she writes not just for trans/queer readers, but for their families and other people in general.
- Occupation: Poet, Writer, Composer, Teacher
- Known For: Seasonal Velocities (2012), He Mele A Hilo (2014), Why Dust Shall Never Settle Upon This Soul (2015)
- Awards: Two-time finalist for Lambda Literary Award; won the Academy of American Poets’ University Award, the Eli Coppola Chapbook Contest, the Corson-Bishop Poetry Prize; honored by California State Senate for her work with Trans/Giving, named an Outstanding Volunteer by the LGBT Center’s Children, Youth and Family Services.
- Interesting Facts: Aoki is an English professor at Santa Monica College, a self-described “half-decent pianist” and is learning to play the violin.
Ryka Aoki is a Japanese-American transgender woman who has dedicated her life to working and contributing to the LGBTQ+ community. She is a poet, writer, composer, and teacher and her works have been featured or mentioned in many queer and mainstream publications. She currently teaches English at Santa Monica College.
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