"It has been important to bring out Luca’s voice"
Norwegian activist Luca Espseth has worked with transgender rights for more than 15 years. Our Norwegian publisher Cappelen Damm has published Lucas' own story to contribute to an important discussion about trans people's living conditions and rights.
“Født i rett krop” is Luca Dalen Espseth's moving story about his path to a life as a man. A powerful and personal story about being yourself in a world that often sees you differently than you see yourself. And often distrust you.
"It is crucial in our role as a publisher to contribute to a knowledge-based, open and good discussion about important issues in our society, and therefore it has been important to bring Luca's voice forward and shed light on trans people's living conditions and rights," says publishing editor Ina Strøm from Cappelen Damm.
Although Luca Espseth has participated in the public debate for many years and is educated in both biology, philosophy and gender theory, he has had to explain and defend himself again and again just to be allowed to exist. He has been met with questions by people who demanded a story they could believe in and that fits their perception of gender. The solution was a book in which he tells his own story.
"I have worked as an activist for many years and used myself personally all the way. But it was challenging to write a book that had to be both academic and full of facts, and at the same time vulnerable and present," Luca Espseth explains.
As editor, it was Ina Strøm's role to guide Luca Espseth and process his story in a considerate way and at the same time avoid it becoming a "circus of suffering". And she couldn't help but be affected by his experiences.