Dean Spade Books

A handbook for how to organize to meet immediate needs in your community and work toward lasting change.

From celebrated trans activist and author Dean Spade comes a practical manifesto for living out radical political values in intimate relationships. As global crises escalate—from the pandemic to climate change, mass incarceration, and severe wealth inequality—many feel compelled to organize and combat these issues. However, we often overlook the importance of applying our political values to our personal lives. Our relationships can stagnate if we don't liberate ourselves from cultural scripts that dictate our behavior towards others. This book challenges us to become intentional about our connections, urging us to examine our expectations of love and divest from the notion that one partner can solve all our problems. It offers a roadmap for aligning our ideals of freedom and justice with our desires for healing and connection. Spade encourages us to recognize that our interpersonal actions are intertwined with our politics of liberation and resistance. This work serves as a call to action, providing practical guidance for combating cultural norms and taking control of our relationships, ultimately preparing us for the broader work of changing the world.