Hello!
I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on what books would be good to read to get a better understanding of trangender - the individuals' experiences, the science behind it, treatment, etc - just some good basic places to begin to get an understanding.
Thanks!
Hi there!
Welcome :) I think a good place to start is Susan's! The forums are full of experiences and knowledge, lots of wisdom here :).
In terms of books I liked Nick Krieger's "Nina here nor there" (it's an autobiography). I also think Sam Killerman's "A Guide to Gender: The Social Justice Advocate's Handbook" is a great introduction to gender and trans* identities in general.
"Conundrum" by Jan Morris is a good start although it's a bit dated and rooted in the "standard" background that so many if us don't fit.
Thanks for the suggestions! :)
Dee Walker - what do you mean by 'the "standard" background that so many if us don't fit?' I am very new to trying to understand all of this, so don't know what you are referencing.
Any other thoughts??
Quote from: padester on March 02, 2015, 12:30:40 PM
Thanks for the suggestions! :)
Dee Walker - what do you mean by 'the "standard" background that so many if us don't fit?' I am very new to trying to understand all of this, so don't know what you are referencing.
Any other thoughts??
Dee will correct me if I get it wrong, but I think this may refer to the "standard narrative" according to which a trans*person inevitably "always knew" they were trans* from earliest childhood on. This is true for many of us, but many (me included) discover this only later in life.
I found "Whipping Girl" by Julia Serrano a very enlightening, independent take on the transgender experience.
I don't know if this is what Dee Walker is talking about, but from what I've seen, the "standard narrative" includes:
- "I am a man in a woman's body"/"I am a woman in a man's body"
- Knowing from an early age
- Conforming closely to the expected presentation and preferences of the target gender.
Basically, what gatekeepers have usually looked for before signing off on medical transition steps.
Thanks for the clarification! I will look into these books, and would love other suggestions!
I can never remember "standard narrative", probably because the concept infuriates me!
Quote from: Dee Walker on March 02, 2015, 01:53:27 PM
I can never remember "standard narrative", probably because the concept infuriates me!
Oh my! I didn't mean to infuriate you [emoji15]
Quote from: adrian on March 02, 2015, 02:14:19 PM
Oh my! I didn't mean to infuriate you [emoji15]
You didn't. "Standard narrative" does. It keeps too many of us from realizing the truth for too long, along with "guy in a dress".
A good book is "She's not there" by Jennifer Boyland.
Thanks, people! I have 3 of them in my Amazon cart and got 2 for the kindle (Social Justice and She's not there - they were both on sale!).
Keep the suggestions coming! :)
I've read a few books, but I find here and YouTube to be far more informative. There's quite a number of blogs as well that I've read when I'm looking for something about SRS. Each format has its own strengths and weaknesses, but as a whole I've found it far more useful than any of the books I've read. I quite enjoyed the books though, so I'm not saying there's no point.
Quote from: Dee Walker on March 02, 2015, 03:21:20 PM
You didn't. "Standard narrative" does. It keeps too many of us from realizing the truth for too long, along with "guy in a dress".
That's very true. That's why it's so important to get our stories out there!
Sorry for the off-topic OP!
Oh i wish I remember the name, ill have to get it later this week, but my therapist said she will give me a book next visit about a fully transition mtf who transition later in life. I guess a bit of inspiration and research for me. I lucked out with such a good therapist!
I'll add two suggestions here:
1.) Far from the Tree by Andrew Solomon. The entire book is about how families deal with a family member who is 'different' in some way or the other, and it has a big chapter on transgenders. It is reassuring in the end, but can get really depressing in some parts (at least it was to me).
2.) Crossing: A Memoir by Deirdre McCloskey. This is still on my to read list, so I don't have an opinion on it yet.
I was trying to remember "Far from the Tree". My therapist recommended it last spring. Excellent. Only covers children, though.
I liked The Testosterone Files by Max Wolf Valerio, he wrote it over 12 years and his focus was essentially on the changes that come with being on T.
You guys are great. Thanks for all the suggestions! I have been enjoying the one on Social Justice - it is written in a very readable manner, so that it goes quickly but with a good amount of information. Haven't started the other yet. Will stack all of these in my amazon cart for when I get the time to check them out!
Any more suggestions are also welcome!
I'm glad you're enjoying the book!
I thought "True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism" was a good way to get a basic understanding. It is difficult because everyone's experience is different, but I thought this book gave a pretty good description of everything going on. I ordered a couple copies for my parents when I came out to them, and it gave them a good basis to ask me questions in order to understand my own circumstances. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to know more about transsexualism.
"refuse" and "show trans" are really good!
Thanks again! All of these look interesting. Will keep checking them out!
I enjoyed Redefining Realness by Janet Mock - a very engaging memoir from a relatively recent teen transitioner and woman of color.
True Selves is a great guide book, but it does feel a little dated when reading. Keeping in mind it was first written in 1996 and then updated from there, it's very informative.
I'd like to read some of the children's books, like "I am Jazz" and "Be Who You Are."
Quote from: padester on March 02, 2015, 11:04:54 AM
Hello!
I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on what books would be good to read to get a better understanding of trangender - the individuals' experiences, the science behind it, treatment, etc - just some good basic places to begin to get an understanding.
Thanks!
Umm. if you're into anime comics at all. I love these :)
http://jocelynsamara.deviantart.com/art/RAIN-p-1-Prologue-1-187851377
http://www.venusenvycomic.com/index.php?id=2
Quote from: Rotika on March 09, 2015, 01:35:35 PM
Umm. if you're into anime comics at all. I love these :)
http://jocelynsamara.deviantart.com/art/RAIN-p-1-Prologue-1-187851377
http://www.venusenvycomic.com/index.php?id=2
So - the Deviant Art one looks really cool, but I can't figure out how to move from one page to the next without skipping lots of pages - is there a way to download the whole book?
Quote from: padester on March 09, 2015, 04:33:13 PM
So - the Deviant Art one looks really cool, but I can't figure out how to move from one page to the next without skipping lots of pages - is there a way to download the whole book?
If you look below the pic, in the description and above the comments there is prev and next links.
might have to click on a page on the right to get it to show.