Hidden History: A Nonbinary Minister Was a Hero of the American Revolution
Public Universal Friend was a nonbinary minister and revolutionary hero in 18th-century America. A new book by Nina Sankovitch brings their forgotten story back to life.
A new book tells the story of a forgotten American hero. The book is called Not Your Founding Father. It is written by Nina Sankovitch.
The hero of the story is known as Public Universal Friend. They lived during the American Revolution. Most people have never heard of them. But their life was truly remarkable.
The story begins in October 1776. This was during the early years of the United States. A young person named Jemima Wilkinson lived in Cumberland, Rhode Island. Cumberland was a small farming community. Jemima was only 23 years old at the time.
That year, Jemima became very seriously ill. They almost died. According to Public Universal Friend, Jemima Wilkinson did actually die. But something extraordinary happened. A new spirit entered the body. This new spirit became Public Universal Friend.
Public Universal Friend did not use the name Jemima anymore. They also did not identify as a man or a woman. This makes them one of the earliest known nonbinary people in American history. They used they/them language to describe themselves. This was very unusual for the 1700s.
Public Universal Friend became a minister and a preacher. They traveled across the country and spoke to many people. They gathered a large group of followers. These followers respected and admired them deeply.
The book by Sankovitch celebrates this forgotten figure. It shows how radical and open American society could have been. Public Universal Friend challenged many rules of their time. They broke barriers of gender, religion, and identity.
Sankovitch writes about Public Universal Friend with great energy and passion. The book is described as thrilling and celebratory. It brings an important queer story back into the light.
Historians have often ignored Public Universal Friend. But LGBTQ+ communities are now reclaiming their legacy. Their story reminds us that queer people have always existed. They have always played important roles in history.
Public Universal Friend is a true pioneer. Their courage and identity were far ahead of their time. This book makes sure their story is finally heard.