lexie
Bean
What's up?!
i'm passionate about creating honest + complex trans narratives through writing, performance, & film.
from curating my lambda literary finalist anthology for trans inclusion in the #metoo movement, to Developing a tv series inspired by my homeland, to building "the ship we built" (2020) from a text message into a novel with dial at penguin random house - i create pieces that transition and grow alongside me.
my work specifically with transgender survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse has received accolades from the founders of the trevor project, the new york times, RAINN, the ali forney center, ONe love, sounds of saving, male survivor, and MORE. i've been honored with membership in rainn's national leadership council to speak publicly on the many forms of justice survivors deserve.
My storytelling career began in 2012, when I curated and self-published my first anthology full of letters that people wrote to their body parts. I have been interviewed by and written for a large number of publications, including Teen Vogue, Ms. Magazine, The New York Times, Bitch Magazine, Them, Bust Magazine, Huffington Post, Logo's New Now Next, Kirkus Reviews, Autostraddle, Thrillist, The Detroit News, Lambda Literary, The Feminist Wire, Toi Magazine and more. My writing has also been transformed into four experimental films. Full and Trans Boy Remember, both of which have played at festivals across Europe. An animated version of The Ship We Built, premiering at the Locomoción Festival de Animación in Mexico City, is now being adapted for a feature length film. My most recent, A Scavenger Hunt For People Loneliest In Their Own Homes, was commissioned by Price Hill Will and had its international premier this fall at the Indie Short Awards Cannes, where it also received the award for Best Experimental Short, and had its public premiere in Teen Vogue.
I am currently nearing fine-cut for my first feature-length documentary - What Will I Become? - co-directed with Logan Rozos and in partnership with ITVS/public television, Deep Dive Films, and StoryLens. This project explores the fact that more than 50% of transgender boys have attempted suicide. Through two life stories, Logan and I unravel why our community is particularly vulnerable to living and dying quietly. I am also in early development for a film and zine collaboration with Queer Youth Assemble focusing on anti-trans legislation and taking back childhood sexual abuse narratives. Last, but not least, I am in early development of the feature film version of my decorated debut novel, The Ship We Built, which was also the first middle grade novel centering a trans boy to be written by one at a major US publisher. This was most recently partnered with its first production entity, Randan.
My essays, poems, books, and short films have also been presented at well over a hundred venues, including the famous Bluestockings and The Strand in NYC, the Detroit Institute of the Arts, MitSprache: The German Council of Victims and Survivors' Expert Committee of the Independent Commissioner for Child Sexual Abuse Issues, as well as barns, blackbox theaters, cafeterias, universities through two self-organized international tours of creative writing workshops and performances inspired by my writing and experiences. With this, I have been in partnership with countless transition homes, rehab centers, and non-profits, such as Black & Pink, RAINN, Home in Budapest, and Slutwalk Johannesburg. I have received additional support from the Sundress Writing Residency and Retreat for Survival and Healing in Knoxville, the Jerome Hill Foundation, the Gibney Dance Institute for Community Action Training in New York, the Jane Hoppen Residency at Paragraph New York, and the Bookshop Santa Cruz Residency at the Wellstone Center in the Redwoods.
I kicked off 2024 with the Tin House Winter Workshop for a manuscript-in-progress, Across From You (which I also wish to additionally develop into a play one day). As well as wrapping up my first picture book, and nearing the end of my editorial process for my next anthology in contract with Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Meet Me There, Another Time, which focuses on queer and trans people writing to places they've had to leave behind.
For acting! I most recently studied The Barrow Group approach! My work has ranged from indie short films, to roller skatin' as your music video muse, to a national ad that was also featured in Times Square. I often land roles of people and creatures who are lost, one who shows up and changes things, or one with a big secret. Shortly before the SAG strike, I made my TV debut. Now, frankly, I am getting back into the rhythm of the industry. I have also been using the time to further my movement practice, and collaborating with musicians on my skates.
For more recent projects and updates, read the lil red box on this page!
IN THE MEANTIME, HERE ARE MORE FUN FACTS:
1.) I discovered I am double jointed in my arms from watching America's Next Top Model.
2.) I cried the last time I watched 13 Going On 30.
3.) I got toilet paper stuck to my roller skate at the fourth grade Halloween Party, and three years later I won the gold metal in my division at the USA Roller Sports National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska.
I'm very good at the game "Two Truths and a Lie." Lucky for you, I just gave you three truths.
HERE'S ANOTHER TRUTH: I THINK YOU COULD BE FUN AND MEANINGFUL TO COLLABORATE WITH. PLEASE SAY HI TO ME.
EVENTS
-Most recently: Publishing panel with the American Society of Journalists and Authors 2024 Conference and LGBTQIA2S+ DV/SA survivor workshops with Oberlin College and Marquette University.
RECENT HONORS
-Placement in the prestigious Tin House Winter Workshop and scholarship for additional fall programming for manuscript-in-progress, Across From You
RECENTLY PUBLISHED, PREMIERED, & SCREENED
-"Writing back to places left behind," published in PRIDE and "Why I'm Compling Queer and Trans Goodbye Letters To Places We've Left Behind" in Autostraddle in honor of upcoming anthology with Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Meet Me There, Another Time.
PROJECT ANNOUCEMENTS
-My first feature length documentary, What Will I Become?, co-directed by Logan Rozos, is now nearing fine-cut. AND we are partnering withITVS to work our project into public television. We are likely on track for a 2026 premiere.
-I have found a director for The Ship We Built screenplay! A very lovely T4T moment. AND we just found our first partnering production entity, Randan!A small, award-winning group based in Scotland.
-My new anthology, Meet Me There, Another Time,is now in production at Jessica Kingsley Publishers. It is focused on queer and trans people writing to places they've had to leave behind. It is due for a June 2025 release.
-I also recently submitted a chapter for an upcoming anthology, Shame-Sex Attraction with Jessica Kingsley Publishers. More information on the project coming soon!
-I'm in early collaboration on an untitled film, zine project with Queer Youth Assemble focusing on anti-trans legislation and taking back childhood sexual abuse narratives.
-I recontinuedPatreon,where you can support me and my work directly!