Leykn Schmatz was fortunate to enter Judaism through the queer door, thanks to Svara. They grew up in rural Wisconsin and made their way through Lansing, Berkeley, and Minneapolis before landing in Squirrel Hill/Pittsburgh. Along the way they’ve had multiple comings-out, including as a dyke in the early 1980s and genderqueer/trans in the 2000s. They are the author of several YA novels and worked for 20+years as staff writer at Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. Leykn’s passions include trees, books, makom, and movement of all kinds. They are likely to be seen doing Duolingo, protesting in the streets, or davening under a tree by the water. They live with their one-in-particular and a small orange cat.