Author Neema Avashia reading the essay “City Mouse/ Country Mouse,” from her book “Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place.” — Photos by Mina Rose Morales

By Mina Rose Morales

WCVB’S Chronicle taped author Neema Avashia’s essay reading from her book Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place on Tuesday, June 21, at All She Wrote Books in Somerville.

Avashia is an educator and writer from West Virginia. She has lived in Boston since 2003. She is the daughter to Indian parents. She is queer. She is the author of Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place, which explores the childhood lessons she learned about race, class, gender, and sexuality. Avashia examines her identity as a queer, desi, Appalachian woman. It took her five years to write the book, but thinking about the stories began long before.

At 7:05 p.m., the doors of All She Wrote Books opened for their Adult Queer Storytime. The reoccurring event is intended for writers to share their coming out stories or any stories about being queer.

“Queer people need spaces to share their stories and a space to come together,” said the founder and owner of All She Wrote Books, Christina Pascucci-Ciampa, when speaking about why they have Adult Queer Storytime.

Adult Queer Storytime at All She Wrote Books.

Avashia read the essay City Mouse/Country Mouse, which describes the differences between her and her wife, Laura. As she read the part where she described meeting her wife for the first time, Laura walked into the bookstore. The audience cheered for Laura as Avashia indicated that was her wife. Laura cheered back and walked to an empty seat in the circle.

After Avashia finished reading her essay, the floor opened for questions. An audience member of South Asian descent asked Avashia what her parents think about her book. She said many people in her family wanted her to be silent about her experiences and identity. “Who does this silence serve? It doesn’t serve me,” continued Avashia. The audience members applauded her response.

The entire reading was taped by WCVB’s Chronicle, Boston’s locally-produced magazine show.

After the Q&A ended, Pastor Jordan Harris, from Connexion, introduced himself and discussed the next part of the program. During that time, audience members were encouraged to break up into groups to discuss their personal queer narratives. Harris stressed confidentiality. At that point, the cameras were long gone.

The taping will appear on for one of the Chronicle’s episodes about local authors. The episode will air later this summer, according to Lisa Thalhamer, a producer at Chronicle.