Reviews

Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam

julesleigh's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

An informational read for sure, although I wish the offer stop wearing so much about the correctness of their statements and instead focused on more of the history itself and presenting it a way that was more accessible.

cronchbonch's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

A historian acknowledging their biases and the intersectionalism of how hustory is recorded in the first chapter. Beautiful.

A multicultural peak into how cultures and people looked at gender through time while giving care to those retellings. Amazing

The level of care and love poured into this book is a gift. I am going to reccommend this book to most people who want to start looking at queer history but dont know where to start. Allies who dont understand. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Transphobia, Violence, and Sexual harassment

christofertyler's review against another edition

starts by explaining what trans is

pilk's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Drags a bit at times which is the only reason this isn't a five star. Otherwise I think this is essential reading for anyone interested in the politics and history of the trans (and by some extension lgbt+) community. There are lots of stories about gender nonconforming folks throughout the ages here, many of which were completely new to me. Recommend!

lilbuzzball's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

jdscott50's review against another edition

informative slow-paced

5.0

tomaxhull's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

You know the nonfiction book hits when the epilogue makes you tear up. A wonderfully exhaustive, well-researched and well-argued overview of trans ways of living and being from global history, accessibly written and engaging without sacrificing nuance. 

plhall's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

solid and detailed history of gender experiences and gender non-conformity throughout history and cultures. highly nuanced but still very readable for many levels of prior knowledge

i really like how both theory and historically grounded the chapters were and how they didn't center the white, secular, trans experience (which i feel like much of the nonfiction trans reading rep does)

lottie1803's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

clashoftheclosets's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

Moderate depth look at gender experiences from disparate times and places. Clearly written and careful to separate universally applicable experiences from those that are so culturally specific and stand separately.