Sam Elkin: "Detachable Penis: A Queer Legal Saga"

In this episode of Biographers in Conversation, lawyer and author Sam Elkin chats with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies about his choices while crafting Detachable Penis: A Queer Legal Saga.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode:

• Sam’s thought process behind structuring the memoir as a chronological legal saga intertwining his gender transition with pivotal moments in Australia’s LGBTQ+ rights movement.


• How he found a warm, conversational writing voice beyond his legal training, shedding formal jargon to connect with readers on a personal level.


• Why he infused dark humour into serious moments and how laughter helped him cope with pain while keeping the story human and relatable.


• The raw vulnerability he chose to share, from detailing gender-affirming surgeries to admitting moments of self-doubt.


• How Sam navigated tough ethical choices in sharing his story, balancing unvarnished honesty with respect for others’ privacy while weighing the risks of being so candid.


• Sam’s reflections on the double-edged sword of visibility as a trans man: how being seen can be empowering yet perilous and how he portrays that tension in Detachable Penis.


• How including stories from his community law work and marginalised queer folks broadened Detachable Penis into a portrait of activism, community struggles and hope.


• Insights into Sam’s writing journey: how he expanded short personal essays into a cohesive memoir.


• How Sam practised self-care during tough chapters and how the process deepened his self-understanding.