Vermont Cartoonist Tillie Walden Explores Early Queer Love in New Book

MONTPELIER, Vt. NewsWK — Residents of Bennington and surrounding areas may find inspiration in the life stories of early LGBTQ+ couples depicted in the latest graphic novel by Vermont’s own Tillie Walden. Celebrating the relationship of Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake, who lived as life partners in Weybridge in the 1800s, Walden’s work sheds light on the history of queer love in Vermont.

Walden, who served as Vermont‘s fifth cartoonist laureate, has gained recognition for her storytelling and artistic skills. Her latest book, Charity & Sylvia, has been selected for the 2026 Vermont Reads program, encouraging communities across the state, including Bennington, to engage with the themes of the book through discussions and events.

Connecting with Local History

In her quest to represent the lives of Charity and Sylvia authentically, Walden faced the challenge of not knowing their appearances beyond a silhouette. “When it came to deciding their faces, it was mentioned in a letter way back when that Charity looked a lot like her brother… so I based her off of what her brother looked like,” Walden explained.

Walden’s connection to Vermont goes beyond research; she draws inspiration from her neighbors, stating, “I needed actual human beings to populate Weybridge, Vermont, in 1810… so I really did just look at my neighbors and I drew their faces and their bodies and their personalities into the book. Small town Vermont hasn’t changed that much, really.” This approach may resonate with Bennington residents, who recognize the unique character of small-town life.

Emphasizing Realism in Queer Representation

Walden aims to provide a nuanced view of queer love, challenging the notion that marginalized groups must present themselves in idealized ways. “What I’m actually interested in is how gayness, queerness — whatever you call it — interacts with more complex parts of life, like faith, like conservatism, like being an American, like being a Vermonter,” she shared. Her reflections on the imperfections of individuals may encourage local readers to appreciate the diversity of experiences within their own community.

For local institutions such as the Bennington Museum, there may be opportunities to integrate the discussion of this graphic novel into their programming, promoting dialogue about LGBTQ+ history and representation. As communities come together to read and discuss Charity & Sylvia, it promotes a greater understanding of both the past and present experiences of queer individuals in Vermont.

Residents can look forward to participating in events related to the book as part of the Vermont Reads initiative, fostering connections through shared literature and local history.