Interview with U. H. Swanson

U. H. Swanson (he/him) is a gay trans Bear who labors as a writer. I asked him about himself and his content, as well as content he’s been enjoying recently. You can check out U. H. Swanson at the links at the end of the interview.

1. What queer terminology do you use for yourself publicly? Do not feel pressured to come out as anything in your answer. Please only disclose whatever you’re comfortable with.
   • I’m a Bear first and foremost.
   • I’m also a gay trans man.
2. What non-queer demographic terminology do you use for yourself? Again, please only disclose whatever you’re comfortable with.
   • I’m a white, working class Midwesterner (US).
   • At 23, I’ve had my writing published in a couple of anthologies,
     • taught two years of college,
     • gotten my hands dirty setting up gardens for communes,
     • nearly scrubbed my palms off in kitchens, and
     • mopped floors from video rental stores to city halls. I do more of the latter these days.
   • I was diagnosed with hirsutism as a teen.
   • As an adult, I’m still grappling with what it means to be intersex and how it has shaped my gender.
3. What projects are you involved in? This can be any type of content you’d like to promote.
   • Currently, I write biographies of trans men in the US in the 1800s and early 1900s.
   • I primarily write these biographies for genealogical website Wikitree but I’m working towards a larger video project.
4. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not creating content?
   • I take long walks.
   • Or when I’m less restless, I read horror or romance books or watch a movie.
   • After a harder than normal day at work, I build houses in The Sims 4.
5. What does the queer community needs to do better about understanding, accepting, and supporting?
   • I’m not sure how to answer this question.
     • I wish we knew our history more, not in a “it’s been lost” way but in a “read a damn book” way.
     • I wish the impulse wasn’t to add more labels but instead embrace the contradictions and shortcomings that are queerness.
     • Unconditional acceptance of lived experiences over perfectly defined boxes would be nice.
6. What are you excited about going forward? Can be anything from creative projects, personal or professional milestones, etc.
   • I’m excited for the summer mostly. It’s my favorite time of year.
     • I’m ready to take longer walks,
     • soak up as much sunshine as possible, and
     • get a (farmer’s) tan.
7. Are there any pets or plants in your life?
   • I used to take care of a commune’s cats, and
   • I miss Monkey, the former forest tabby, a lot.
   • I also had a mirabilis bush I brought to life there that I miss.
   • I don’t have a cat or a garden for now.
8. What content / content creators have you been enjoying recently? This could be anything from books, to podcasts, to tutorial videos, etc. Anything you want other people to know about.
   • I’ve been enjoying music and essays lately.
   • Like listening to Kim Petras’ new album and reading Jules Gill-Peterson’s and Julian K. Jarboe’s Substacks.
   • The article on the history of bottoming from PinkNews UK has also been something I’ve enjoyed lately.
9. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
   • My voice. I’m always delighted to hear it.

U. H. Swanson can be found on wikitree and twitter.