Local author releases new book for first day of Pride Month

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-Today marks the beginning of pride month.

“For me, it’s this really great celebration.”

Local Clint Waters, who goes by they/them, is an author and writes books about their experience identifying as queer.

Waters just released their 7th book, Invert. This is their first book set in the past, specifically the 1950s, where gender and sexuality are a big issue…Waters says some of these problems from history are still here in our present future. 

“I would love for people to get more involved. This is a fictional instance of this man’s life but the experiences he has aren’t necessarily rare or uncommon within the queer community,” said Waters.

Waters came out when they were 14 years old. 

“I remember when I first came out, it was a lot of ‘are you sure’, ‘how can you be sure’,” said Waters. 

But they had a great support system. 

“I was very lucky to grow up in a home where no matter what the bottom line is, I will always love you,” said Waters. 

Waters graduated from Western Kentucky University, which had a huge impact on their life. The school also now has a pride center. 

“It’s always meant a lot to have a place and we finally got that place and I can tell you we probably worked for about 30 years to make that happen,” said Dr. Molly Kerby, who works in the Chief Diversity Office for Academic Affairs at WKU. 

The pride center offers resources, counseling services, and just a place to stop by and meet other people. 

“It makes you feel like you belong. A lot of times when you’re minoritized in some way, having other people who are like you and creating a safe space for you and your friends and a place to go,” said Dr. Kerby. 

Although June marks a month-long celebration of pride, a pride parade is also held each October in Bowling Green.