Temple
by Owen Heil (he/him)
Audio Transcript:
When thinking of all the places and people I’ve called home (or tried to make my home), I realized they all had a common denominator: me. As a trans man, I have struggled all my life to feel at peace inside my own body. Coming out in 2021 was like releasing the longest of held breaths–painful, exhilarating, cleansing. Through the process of transition, I have come to realize that the firmest foundation of a home I can possibly build is inside myself.
My body is my home now. Resilient and powerful, it can weather any storm. My body is a temple and I have dared to create it in my own image. My scars, embroidered in gold, decorate–celebrate–who I have finally become.
Owen (he/him) is a queer and trans quilter, maker, and Registered Maine Guide. Taught by friends and the internet, Owen finds joy in quilts as works of craftsmanship, as pieces of art, and as acts of love. When not making, Owen can be found paddling, skiing, or staring at the stars in awe.