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Memoir portrays lesbian’s search for acceptance, respect

The Journal

Author Anna Redsand plans to read from her memoir “To Drink from the Silver Cup: From Faith Through Exile and Beyond,” in Cortez on Saturday, Sept. 10.

An open discussion will follow her reading, which begins at 7 p.m. at the San Juan Coffee Co., 4 E. Main St.

“To Drink from the Silver Cup” tells about Redsand’s life as a lesbian while being raised by conservative missionary parents on the Navajo reservation.

In the book, her love of family and community are juxtaposed with the realization that her sexual orientation may exclude her from these relationships.

Redsand writes about her journey, which takes her from the Navajo Nation to Denmark, New Zealand and back to the Southwest as she searches for acceptance in a faith tradition and respect for her social activism. She explores Native American spirituality, Hinduism, Judaism and metaphysical Christianity.

Redsand has taught writing at the University of New Mexico and Western Michigan University, and psychology at Diné College, which serves the Navajo Nation. She has earned degrees in literature, education and clinical counseling. Redsand also conducts workshops on faith communities and LGBTQ people, and is also the author of “Viktor Frankl: A Life Worth Living.” She lives in Albuquerque.

The book is published by Terra Nova Books, of Santa Fe. For more information, email Scott Gerber at Publisher@TerraNovaBooks.com or call Gerber at 505-670-9319. Additional information is at www.TerraNovaBooks.com.