Professor Arthur Sullivan reviews a classic about Transition
Posted on: April 5th, 2012 by History Month

Dear Sir or Madam ( A Journey from Female to Male) by Mark Rees;, reviewed by Arthur Sullivan

http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/history/professor-arthur-sullivan-reviews-a-classic-about-transition/

About half way through this account of his journey from female to male, Mark Rees remarks that "[t]he most important part of the role change is the transsexual person's acceptance by society".  As well as his own personal journey, this book chronicles the journey which society has made towards understanding and accepting trans people over the past sixty years or so, and the not inconsiderable contribution which Rees himself made throughout that period.  As such, this is not just a book for professionals, nor only the families and close friends of trans people or those experiencing gender dysphoria.  It deserves a much wider readership amongst those in society who will come across trans people at some point in their daily lives – which is to say all of us.

The early chapters provide a very real sense of what it feels like to experience gender dysphoria, in a manner which I have not come across elsewhere.  This is something most of us will never experience, yet it is key to understanding and therefore respecting what drives a person to undertake the trans-gender route.  Rees also graphically describes the reactions of his loving family during his childhood and adolescence, as their concern moves to a perception of "cussedness" on his part, and the guilt which this engenders in him at disappointing their expectations.  He does not flinch from recording the degree of selfishness that was required, over and above his determination, in changing gender roles.  Later in the book, family reactions will turn to bewilderment, then acceptance and finally support from his mother, but ultimate hurtful and incomprehensible rejection by his sister.