In the Arms of Mountains

“One doesn’t need to be queer to feel seen, heard, and empowered… . A reminder that activists need to believe that the impossible can happen.”
—Carole King, singer, songwriter, activist, and author of A Natural Woman

“If you still believe in the dominant narrative of a monolithic rural America, read this book. If you, like me, know there is no such monolith, read this book. If you care about the continued right of queer people to thrive, no matter where they live, read this book.”
—Neema Avashia, author of Another Appalachia

“From the majestic natural landscapes of the American West to the serpentine dealings in political backrooms, Cole Lefavour’s incredible life highlights the grandeurs and the abject depths of American culture. Deeply rooted in their queerness, their pacifism, and their unyielding refusal to accept the unacceptable in everyday life, In the Arms of Mountains presents us with a vision of America—despite its numerous historical wrongs and political nightmares—that is rich in hope and dazzling with endless possibilities.”
—Michael Bronski, author of A Queer History of the United States

“Cole LeFavour, Idaho’s first openly queer state senator and a leader in the ‘Add the Words’ campaign, doesn’t just add words here—they test them. Break them. Hurt and heal with them. In the Arms of Mountains is a fierce, earnest portrait of rural queer life that insists on beauty, resistance, and wholeness in places America too often overlooks.”
—Willie Carver Jr., author of Gay Poems for Red States

Cole Nicole LeFavour is an activist and award-winning journalist and writer. Her stories and essays have appeared in publications such as the North American Review, Idaho Wilderness Considered, and Sawtooth-White Cloud. In 2004, LeFavour was elected to the Idaho Legislature, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ member. She served four terms as a state senator and led multiple acts of civil disobedience at the State Capitol.

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