Title: Zoë Bossiere Reflects on Gender Identity and Desert Life in New Memoir
Zoë Bossiere’s memoir, Cactus Country: A Boyhood Memoir, delves into their childhood experiences in Tucson, Arizona, juxtaposed against their journey of gender identity. Raised initially in Virginia, Bossiere’s family moved to the off-the-grid RV park in Tucson, where they navigated their transition from the girl they were raised to the boy they aspired to be.
Bossiere recounts how the desert landscape and its inhabitants mirrored the rugged self-reliance and stoicism they associated with boyhood. The natural environment and the individuals around them provided a backdrop to explore what it meant to be a boy. They found inspiration in the creatures of the desert, like the gentle but intimidating palo verde beetles, which became metaphorical representations of their internal struggles and aspirations.
This memoir also touches upon Bossiere’s life in Cactus Country, emphasizing the division of worlds between children and adults within the RV park. It was a place where children roamed freely and came together, often experiencing the world differently from the adults.
Bossiere elaborates that their transition was easier in Tucson, where their public identity as a boy went unquestioned, compared to Virginia. Bossiere also shares insights on finding solace online for gender identity issues during their teenage years, noting the lack of accessible resources tailored to young transgender individuals at that time. They emphasize the need for more supportive environments and resources for young LGBTQ+ individuals to navigate their identities safely.
Title: Cactus Country: A Boyhood Memoir Author: Zoë Bossiere Publisher: Abrams Pages: 272 Price: $27
The book is now available, offering a personal narrative that aligns identity exploration with the vast, enchanting desert of Tucson.