This course will explore the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the United States through the genre of memoir. We will examine the social, cultural and political dimensions of memoir in order to highlight queer and trans contributions to a more liberated and inclusive world. The class will place intersectionality at its center and prioritize the writings of BIPOC, disabled people and trans and non-binary writers. Topics covered will include: coming out; the family; socioeconomic status; religion/spirituality; discrimination; queer civil/human rights and activism and HIV/AIDS. The course will require multiple kinds of writing including academic and literary analysis, a personal narrative essay and a contribution for the creation of a class-wide zine.