Revealing one’s identity and living proudly as an LGBTQ+ person can be so terrifying, many people never do it. They may fear being disowned by parents, losing their job and community, and even feeling depressed and suicidal.
A new book aims to encourage LGBTQ+ people to fi nd the courage to live their truths, and the book provides solid guidance for parents and allies to love and support individuals on their rainbow journeys.
Joyously Free: Stories & Tips to Live Your Truth as LGBTQ+ People, Parents & Allies by Elizabeth Ann Atkins & Joanie Lindenmeyer will be released in hardcover, paperback, and eBook on June 1, 2024, from Two Sisters Writing & Publishing®, based in Ashland, Oregon.
The book is available for pre-order at TwoSistersWriting.com.
Joanie will be autographing books and speaking at many events throughout Oregon and California, and she will join Elizabeth at Motor City Pride in Detroit, Michigan. Here are the local events:
Brookings, Oregon Pride + Book Launch
Joanie and contributing writers will be autographing Joyously Free and Nun Better. Azalea Park, 640 Old County Road, Brookings, Oregon 11 am – 3 pm on June 1, 2024.
Chetco Community Public Library
Joanie will be autographing Joyously Free and Nun Better. 405 Alder St, Brookings, Oregon 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm on Monday June 3, 2024
Del Norte and Tribal Lands DNATL Pride
Wild About Pride. Joanie will be autographing Joyously Free and Nun Better. United Methodist Church Parking lot 664 H St., Crescent City, California, 95531 2:45 pm – 6 pm Saturday June 15th. Look for my bright pink booth 9 pm. Performances, dancing and more fun.
More events to come, including Prides in North Bend/Coos Bay, Oregon, on October 3rd, Eugene, Oregon, on August 10th, Ashland, Oregon, on October 5, 2024, and Palm Springs, California on November 2 and 3, 2024.
Some of the dozens of contributing writers from across America who courageously shared their stories in the book will join Joanie and Elizabeth at various events to autograph the pages where their stories appear in the book.
Elizabeth and Joanie invited them to share their stories about being gay, transgender, bisexual, lesbian, as well as parents and allies of gay and trans people. Other chapters explore gay marriage, self-love and affirmation, tips for finding the courage to come out and create a joyous life, finding peace and love with religion and spirituality.
“This book will change and even save lives,” says Joanie. “Our goal is for people to find a giant burst of courage and love on every page, so they can live Joyously Free in their truth.”
This is extremely important at a time when 100+ pieces of legislation are pending across America to silence and disempower the queer community and controversies are now raging over hormone and surgical medical interventions for LGBTQ+ youth along with book bans and other efforts.
“Our philosophy is live and let love,” says Elizabeth, co-founder of Two Sisters Writing & Publishing® and best-selling author of books that advocate personal and spiritual freedom and authenticity. “We’re especially proud to present stand-alone chapters that can help parents and allies support and love LGBTQ+ young people and adults navigate their journeys.”
Joanie and Elizabeth also co-authored Healing Religious Hurts: Stories & Tips for Finding Love and Peace, which will be published on October 1, 2024. They will be autographing the book with contributors at Ashland Pride in Ashland, Oregon, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, and at many other events.
The book is available for pre-order at TwoSistersWriting.com.
Two Sisters Writing & Publishing® specializes in against the odds success stories written by diverse people. Co-founded in 2016 by sisters Elizabeth Ann Atkins and Catherine M. Greenspan, the company has published 48 books and has dozens more scheduled for future release.
Joanie Lindenmeyer is the best-selling author of Nun Better: An AMAZING Love Story by Joanie Lindenmeyer with Carol Tierheimer. This powerful memoir chronicles her lifetime romance and ultimate marriage with her soul mate, Carol Tierheimer, who died in 2022.
They met in the convent as Catholic nuns during the dangerous 1980s, and later left religious life to enjoy a 40-year adventure when today’s LGBTQ+ freedoms seemed an impossible dream.
All three book covers were designed in collaboration with Illumination Graphics of Merlin, Oregon and Joanie’s sister, Gail Baker.
Joanie’s Bio
Joanie Lindemeyer is 66 years young, a former Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Catholic nun who is now an Episcopalian with St. Timothy’s. Joanie serves on the church vestry and in the local community in many ways that include speaking about and promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion.
She was a public high school physical education and health teacher and sports coach for 25 years. Prior to that, she taught religion and youth ministry for four years in Catholic schools.Joanie enjoys playing pickleball, watching sports, traveling, fishing, gardening, playing guitar, listening to music, walking and hiking, baking treats, and hanging out with family and friends.
She worked at two nonprofits and a county department of health in areas of community health, addictions, teen pregnancy, sexuality, child abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention, STI testing and counseling, and wellness. Her dedication shines for people of all ages, making their lives brighter, happier and healthier.
A San Diego State University graduate, she was a member of the university volleyball team and has a California teaching credential.
For 40 years, she was committed to her one and only lifetime lover and spouse, Carol Tierheimer. In 2022, she became widowed and is embarking on new adventures as a single LGBTQ+ woman.
In March of 2023, she wrote a best-selling memoir, Nun Better: An AMAZING Love Story by Joanie Lindenmeyer with Carol Tierheimer. On June 1, 2024, her newest book Joyously Free: Stories and Tips to Live Your Truth as LGBTQ+ People, Allies, and Parents, co-authored with Elizabeth Atkins, will be published and is available now for pre-order.
You can find her book trailer, events calendar, and links to the weekly podcast that she does with Elizabeth Ann Atkins on the Two Sisters Writing & Publishing® YouTube channel at TwoSistersWriting.com. There you can also order Nun Better and Joyously Free; the books are also available wherever books are sold online.
Joanie’s next book, Healing Religious Hurts: Stories & Tips to Find Love & Peace, co-authored with Elizabeth Ann Atkins, is available for pre-order at TwoSistersWriting.com and will be published on October 1, 2024.
Joanie is extremely grateful for her dear friends and family and the opportunities to meet new friends. Her mantra is, “Everyday is a new day, never been lived before.”
She has lived in Brookings, Oregon, for 33 years. Carol’s memorial rose garden awaits you to come take a seat and enjoy the tremendous peace and beauty of this colorful, fragrant sanctuary.
Filled with joy and hope, she believes Jesus is her best friend and believes that “Love always wins
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