Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
Trans Voices is a book with a bit of a strange pedigree, written as it is by a gay man who was ashamed of how little he knew about trans people. It is a book written both for those friends, families, and allies who are interested in better understanding trans issues, and for those of us questioning (or just exploring) our own gender identity.
The book itself is very easy to read, balancing social and psychological theories with real trans experiences. In writing the book, Henry interviewed several dozen trans individuals, and he allows them to speak in their own words throughout. As a result, we get to see all sides of the story, allowing readers to not just understand the trans experience, but truly emphasize with it.
What struck me most about the book is how inclusive it is. It opens with the mandatory chapters on Being Trans and on Transitioning, and then moves right into MTF and FTM transsexuals. Pretty standard stuff. After that, however, it devotes a chapter to Non-Binary individuals, and another to Cross-Dressers. This is not a book that is about ‘just’ one group of trans folk, it is a book that strives to embrace and positively support all gender identities and expressions.
The chapter on Sex and Sexuality is fascinating reading, and the one on Health is pretty much a must-read for anybody who has ever considered any sort of transition. At just over 200 pages, Trans Voices is a short, but powerful, read that I would love to get into the hands of friends and family. Sure, its diversity might raise as many new question as it answers, but so long as it’s a positive discussion, I am always happy to talk gender.
Originally reviewed for Frock Magazine
The book itself is very easy to read, balancing social and psychological theories with real trans experiences. In writing the book, Henry interviewed several dozen trans individuals, and he allows them to speak in their own words throughout. As a result, we get to see all sides of the story, allowing readers to not just understand the trans experience, but truly emphasize with it.
What struck me most about the book is how inclusive it is. It opens with the mandatory chapters on Being Trans and on Transitioning, and then moves right into MTF and FTM transsexuals. Pretty standard stuff. After that, however, it devotes a chapter to Non-Binary individuals, and another to Cross-Dressers. This is not a book that is about ‘just’ one group of trans folk, it is a book that strives to embrace and positively support all gender identities and expressions.
The chapter on Sex and Sexuality is fascinating reading, and the one on Health is pretty much a must-read for anybody who has ever considered any sort of transition. At just over 200 pages, Trans Voices is a short, but powerful, read that I would love to get into the hands of friends and family. Sure, its diversity might raise as many new question as it answers, but so long as it’s a positive discussion, I am always happy to talk gender.
Originally reviewed for Frock Magazine
Overall not bad but each chapter had something that irked me a little. To start with, the book wasn't written by a trans or non-binary person, which I know is purposeful to show knowledge growth and blank slate with no judgement but left some comments in the book that I think a trans person wouldn't have made
The book was also written in 2017, and again isn't their fault but now is not current form the dramatic changes in legislation, definitions, trans issues and waiting times. For instance the book suggests a 6 month waiting list for first appointments at a GIC but it's more like 6 years now.
Another key outdated section was how transgender people and gender dysphoria is viewed as a psychiatric or mental disorder which again no longer is
I found it also had a very heavy emphasis on trans women, or at least had more trans women voices
I get the principle was to have ordinary trans people voice opinions but it occasionally got quite bitchy, especially from older trans people to younge trans people as the former think we have it easy and are complaining. We all have a right to complain as the situation is far from easy. As well as highlighting dissonance between LGB and the T.
There was also heavy emphasis on genital reconstruction which isn't necessary to identify as a trans person and felt this took away some vital parts of choice and identity that left me feeling like I was less of a trans person for not wanting surgery
I also think the book missed key issues such as bathroom debates and identification documents and socialising which are critical to trans people and their lives
I did enjoy that they included non-binary and cross-dressers as well as inter-sex as separate sections, however they failed to include drag kings and queens which are vital parts of trans umbrella community that are currently under attack but support us
As for the sex and sexuality section, I found it quite hard to read. It was very selective in terms of only referring to LGB sexualities where in fact it's missing several sexualities like pan, ace, aro, queer, etc but I did appreciate the comments about heterosexuality after transition though which is the first I've read but is reassuring to know others have dealt with being gay and cis to being trans and straight
I feel like I needed the book to give more support from those trans voices like how they coped with transitioning or advice on facing challenges for instance. It seemed to focus more on negativity than positivity which left me once finished a little disappointed
It is a good book to introduce to someone who doesn't know much about the trans community and would recommend to friends who want to be an ally but in terms of what I needed and wanted as a trans person it didn't meet
The book was also written in 2017, and again isn't their fault but now is not current form the dramatic changes in legislation, definitions, trans issues and waiting times. For instance the book suggests a 6 month waiting list for first appointments at a GIC but it's more like 6 years now.
Another key outdated section was how transgender people and gender dysphoria is viewed as a psychiatric or mental disorder which again no longer is
I found it also had a very heavy emphasis on trans women, or at least had more trans women voices
I get the principle was to have ordinary trans people voice opinions but it occasionally got quite bitchy, especially from older trans people to younge trans people as the former think we have it easy and are complaining. We all have a right to complain as the situation is far from easy. As well as highlighting dissonance between LGB and the T.
There was also heavy emphasis on genital reconstruction which isn't necessary to identify as a trans person and felt this took away some vital parts of choice and identity that left me feeling like I was less of a trans person for not wanting surgery
I also think the book missed key issues such as bathroom debates and identification documents and socialising which are critical to trans people and their lives
I did enjoy that they included non-binary and cross-dressers as well as inter-sex as separate sections, however they failed to include drag kings and queens which are vital parts of trans umbrella community that are currently under attack but support us
As for the sex and sexuality section, I found it quite hard to read. It was very selective in terms of only referring to LGB sexualities where in fact it's missing several sexualities like pan, ace, aro, queer, etc but I did appreciate the comments about heterosexuality after transition though which is the first I've read but is reassuring to know others have dealt with being gay and cis to being trans and straight
I feel like I needed the book to give more support from those trans voices like how they coped with transitioning or advice on facing challenges for instance. It seemed to focus more on negativity than positivity which left me once finished a little disappointed
It is a good book to introduce to someone who doesn't know much about the trans community and would recommend to friends who want to be an ally but in terms of what I needed and wanted as a trans person it didn't meet
informative
slow-paced
This was... okay? I picked it up in an effort to better understand trans pov, and I'm not sure it served me well. The interviews were mixed for me, I enjoyed that they were from average people rather than celebrities, but I felt they could have been framed better and the author could have provided better analysis and commentary on the opposing ideas rather than simply explaining they exist. I also feel the interviewees could have been more diverse, and there should have been a wider focus.
I don't think I would recommend this to anyone, there is some useful information in there but it's overall not very well developed and shrouded by other issues in the book.
I don't think I would recommend this to anyone, there is some useful information in there but it's overall not very well developed and shrouded by other issues in the book.
Content warnings: bad science, transphobic rhetoric
Review can be found here at Blow Pop's Book Reviews.
Review can be found here at Blow Pop's Book Reviews.
i went into this thinking it was written but a trans person and was surprised to find out it was not. sure, it contained some new information, and i appreciated the variety of perspectives that came from the interviewees’ anecdotes. however, i do not think this book is written for people who are already familiar with the trans and gender non-conforming communities. i would have much more enjoyed to read a book written by a trans or gender non-conforming author, or perhaps a compilation of several authors’ works. maybe this book is better for older people who do not know much about transness, although to them i would still suggest reading directly from trans authors. as a young person navigating my own gender though, i don’t think this had quite what i was looking for.
Informative for those of us in the LGBT community who want to understand a little more about transgender people, but don't really have enough contact with them to satisfy our curiosity. I don't mean curiosity about where they go to the bathroom or what genitalia they have, but their everyday lives and what it feels like to look at your body and not see the person you are inside. Having read this book I can understand better what that must feel like. That makes this an important book.
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
fast-paced
Another book I started and could not get into. Was expecting the narrator to be trans but a gay male talking about his life and random facts, so I gave up pretty quickly.
Thanks to net galley for providing me with a copy of this book, in exchange for a honest review.
I am currently outlining a novel that features a transgender protagonist. When I saw this book, I thought it'd be perfect for me to get an idea about what it's like to be transgender.
This book contained a lot of information about all aspects of being transgender. It was interesting and I really enjoyed reading the personal stories. It has also given me a lot to think about in regards to my novel.
I am currently outlining a novel that features a transgender protagonist. When I saw this book, I thought it'd be perfect for me to get an idea about what it's like to be transgender.
This book contained a lot of information about all aspects of being transgender. It was interesting and I really enjoyed reading the personal stories. It has also given me a lot to think about in regards to my novel.