Oxe, baby

A stolen notebook of poems from a girl who loves girls... Bold and sincere, Oxe, baby is the first book of poems by Elayne Baeta, author of Love is not obvious .

"Drag up a chair and, if you can, read me." This is how—unpretentiously, with a silent yet urgent invitation—Elayne introduces the reader to Oxe, baby , her first book of poetry. And it's in this same rhythm that the following pages unfold, in which, amid metaphors of cocoons, bats, and butterflies, the author shares a little about herself and her experiences as a girl who loves girls.

Born and raised in Salvador, Elayne Baeta has picked up a few scrapes along the way. But it was these—painful ones—that made her sharpen her critical sense and establish herself today as one of the most influential voices in LGBTQ+ young adult literature in Brazil, challenging the conservatism, intolerance, and prejudice that still exist in the country.

Multifaceted, beyond writing, Elayne also dedicates herself to podcasts and illustrating, as well as being a popular figure on social media: in her early twenties, she has over 40,000 followers on Instagram and 35,000 on Twitter. In literature, Elayne Baeta does what she deserves, giving sometimes marginalized characters and lives a new path. A new chance.

“How could I, a girl, publicly hold another girl’s hand and feel anything other than pride? How much courage does it take to be a woman and love other women? Not like you love a friend or a mother, I’m talking about affection, I’m talking about rage, I’m raising a glass to the kisses we don’t give in secret, they’re all against us, they’ll hear about us, how could I, a lesbian, feel anything other than pride?”