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A review by jaychaps
Trans Voices: Becoming Who You Are by Declan Henry
3.0
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Another key outdated section was how transgender people and gender dysphoria is viewed as a psychiatric or mental disorder which again no longer is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