Pride 2025 Spotlight: Poet and Activist Simran Chugani

Simran Chugani (they/them) is a poet, writer, mobilizer, and lifelong advocate for the trans and nonbinary community. Their debut poetry chapbook, florida, i love you violent, is a powerful love letter to communities that hold resistance and joy in the same breath.

It’s a collection that tenderly explores the complexities of love—especially love fractured by political and social hostility—and the ways in which ancestral connection and chosen family can offer deep healing and agency.

Through evocative language and raw emotion, Simran paints a nuanced portrait of what it means to grow, grieve, and fight for belonging in a place that doesn’t always make space for your existence. This work speaks directly to queer and trans folks navigating similar contradictions, and it reminds us that empowerment can be rooted in both love and resistance.

🎧 Listen In: Hear Simran read one of their favorite poems from florida, i love you violent
📖 Get the Book: Support Simran’s work by picking up your copy

Q&A

"Your book, florida, i love you violent, is filled with dualities—love and harm, home and exile. What inspired you to write through those contradictions?"

SC: Contradiction feels like the most honest language I have, and if I get the gift of writing and sharing my work, I owe it to my audiences to be honest. 

When I first moved to Florida, I was scared. I heard all the stereotypes and read about the anti-trans legislation. I was afraid I would have to compromise parts of myself to be safe, and I was sure I’d be the only trans person in the state (very dramatic, I know). I am glad to admit that my preconceived notions were wrong. I was surprised to learn Florida has one of the largest populations of trans adults compared to other states, and that the trans community here is working hard and tirelessly to claim this state as our home, too. What is lacking, however, are resources for trans folks. Despite having one of the largest populations of trans adults, Florida has some of the fewest affirming health care providers (not to mention legal protections for these providers), safe spaces, and inclusive social services. I owe it to the trans community here for opening my eyes to this reality.  

Moreover, the trans community here showed me the beauty of this state and why there is so much to love in this state despite the social and political hostility. They introduced me to Florida’s indigenous history, the incredible nature and running trails, and the places that are safe for us to be in community. Florida was the first place where I saw others hold the nuance with such strength and grace, and it inspired me to do the same. In the news, we often see headlines about trans pain, especially coming from states in the Deep South. I wanted to share stories that we don’t often see: the joy of living here.

"How has your identity as a trans and non-binary person shaped your creative process or the themes you explore in your poetry?"

SC: For many years, and sometimes still, I struggle to find the language to describe my identity and how it shapes the experiences I have. I had to invent language, so I turned to poetry. My creative process includes a lot of experimentation and breaking the rules of writing - be it with language, with structure, with poetic styles - to define myself authentically. And I think this book captures that. My poems are very playful in the way they bounce from one style to the next, and my poems are empowered by unruliness. Plus, I think there is so much power, peace, and strength that comes from knowing and defining who you are. Writing poetry about coming into my transness and navigating the world with that lens allows me to do that, and it’s a reminder that I know the divinity I hold within myself, no matter what any legislation or anyone has to say about that.

I also just love to tell stories about the good, the empowering, the overcoming, and the becoming. I happen to be trans, so my stories are trans! 

🎧 Listen in: Simran reads Trans People Are Meant to Love Our Bodies

"You describe your work as a love letter to community and resistance. What does community care look like for you right now?"

SC: To me, community care looks like using our individual strengths to take care of each other. For example, if you’re an artist, how can you use your art to empower the community? If you’re a coder, how can you use your coding skills to connect the community? If you’re an athlete, how can you use your involvement in sport to uplift the community?

Through asking these types of questions, I’ve been inspired to put pen to paper, share my work, and be more visible on social media and in my communities. I’ve also been inspired by others who are doing the same in their own ways. It’s shown me that individual joy and collective liberation work together, that progress doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game. Our success comes from taking care of each other.

"If someone picks up your book feeling lost or unseen, what do you hope they take away after reading it?"

SC: Existing at the intersections of identities and/or at the margins of societies involves contradictions. You don’t always have to solve contradictions; it’s not your job to. Rather, know that there is so much beauty, creativity, freedom, and joy that exists within contradictions. The world needs you exactly as you are.

Follow the artist

Follow along as Simran shares their journey on Instagram, @simran.chugani and don’t forget to support their work by picking up their book.

Simran is also lacing up their running shoes to join the Point of Pride charity team in the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon! They’re running to raise funds that provide life-saving gender-affirming care to trans people across all 50 states. Their activism moves from the page to the pavement—showing that every step, every poem, and every act of visibility matters. More on Simran and their running shoes, next month!

Celebrate The Summer of Trans Joy!

There are so many joyful ways to support and celebrate our community:

• Support the cause: Make a donation of any amount to help Point of Pride provide life-changing gender-affirming care to trans folks in need.
• Wear your pride: We’ve got tees, tanks, sweatshirts, tote bags, mugs, and more—featuring this limited-edition design! Visit our Bonfire store to choose your favorite style or grab one for a friend.
• Make art: Download a coloring sheet (PDF) and get creative!
• Brighten your screen: Download a "Summer of Trans Joy" phone background (JPG)!
• Take a moment: Stream our "Meditations for Trans People" podcast—available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!
• Spread the joy: Follow us and tag us in your stories of trans joy—day or night! We’re on Instagram as well as Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and LinkedIn.