Fostering inclusivity with the Book of Saris // Intercultural Microgrant Guest Blog
The following guest blog is from 2024 Intercultural Microgrant recipient Book of Saris, with funding from our partner Kentucky Foundation for Women. Learn more about this project at kyrux.org/microgrants/2024 or visit bookofsaris.com.
On January 29th, the Book of Saris project illuminated a welcoming space at the United Methodist Church in Prestonsburg, KY, during a meeting hosted by St. James Episcopal Church.
The gathering brought together three Transgender Cultural Ambassadors from Louisville and 12 local community members, all united by the desire to share stories, challenge stereotypes, and build bridges of understanding.
Mad(E), the facilitating artist, opened the event with a heartfelt address that set the tone for an honest, reflective conversation. She emphasized the importance of confidentiality and privacy, underscoring the freedom of anonymity and safety that are critical to fostering an environment for vulnerability and honest dialogue.
“Our stories are what connect and bind us," she reminded the audience, urging everyone to recognize pieces of themselves in others — even in those they have yet to fully understand. Her words lingered silently as the group engaged in an open, full-group discussion, creating a safe space for curiosity and connection.
Throughout the meeting, participants added their reflections to the Book of Saris — a living document that now holds vivid narratives and thoughtful reflections of the engagement. In doing so, they not only heard the voices of the past that connect strangers with a shared history, but also the specific names, faces, and stories between communities that too often feel faceless to one another.
One participant encapsulated the impact of the day, saying, "What surprised me about the engagement is that I gained a deeper appreciation for the relevance church communities can have in bridging diverse histories and experiences. I walked in expecting to learn more about the transgender experience, but I walked away with a deeper appreciation for the rich, multifaceted history of the church and its capacity to nurture and celebrate every voice."
The event also provided a moment of transformation for many. Rob Musick, Assistant Dean for Health & Wellness and Chaplain at St. James Episcopal Church, shared, "The Book of Saris project was a deeply moving time for me. I was challenged to see scripture more deeply, moved to think more honestly about my true love for all, and I left feeling more connected to truth and others. This project was truly transformational for me."
Beyond individual reflections, the gathering powerfully demonstrated how storytelling can act as a catalyst for change — especially when policies threaten to erase trans identities and when communities, which should celebrate our shared human legacy, are divided by divisive rhetoric and politics. Through sharing their experiences, attendees painted a fuller picture of the transgender community and underscored the essential role that church communities play in fostering inclusion.
The day at Prestonsburg was not only about learning; it was about connecting. It highlighted the beauty of diverse histories, the strength in shared experiences, and the hope that emerges when voices — long silenced — are finally allowed to be heard. As we continue to add new chapters to the Book of Saris, we remain inspired by the power of collective storytelling to spark understanding and change.
Join us as we celebrate these voices and continue our journey toward a more inclusive future—one shared story at a time.
—Book of Saris
The Kentucky Intercultural Microgrant Program is a seed grant to support two or more individuals or organizations collaborating across distance, difference, or sector on projects that celebrate and connect Kentucky's people and places.
Launched with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kentucky Foundation for Women, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, Fund for the Arts, the Monument Workshop at UK, the Josh May Memorial Fund, and individual donors, the 2024 Microgrant Program invests in a series of seed grants (awards from $250-2000) to support short-term projects that foster dialogue, connection, or collaboration among Kentuckians from disparate backgrounds, identities, or experiences. Projects that involve diverse partners and invite the public to participate are preferred.