Confessions of a Gender Defender : A Psychologist's Reflections on Life Among the Transgendered

by Randi Ettner

"A remarkable book! In turn, heartbreaking and hilarious". -- Tim Kazurinsky, "Saturday Night Live", screenwriter of About Last Night This is a firsthand look at the fascinating and controversial phenomenon of transexualism -- men who want to be women and women who want to be men. Gender is the most misunderstood topic of our time. The patients introduced in this book all fight quiet battles -- at home and in the workplace -- with what has been called the "uninvited dilemma" of being born into the wrong body. These intimate and engaging stories directly address this fascinating and controversial phenomenon.

Genres: Psychology, Gender, Transgender, LGBT

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Grace Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book were available on Kindle. Trans people often can guarantee their privacy better when purchasing books electronically, and this is well worth reading.

The book presents a range of trans people, from different backgrounds, and reveals that there is as much diversity within the community as without. Simply written and to the point, it does not engage in linguistic gymnastics or overwrought philosophizing. It simply treats trans people as people, whose drive to conform their bodies to their identities is powerful, but fundamentally understandable. And it is.

[Amy Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of essays—more story-driven than academically driven—about the experiences of Randi Ettner in working with many trans* people. I found the book very effective in describing how it feels growing up with a hidden trans* identity, and also showing the cost paid by the person when the family reacts poorly, rejecting the person.

This is a thin book. I think the title is unfortunate in today's culture, where "gender defender" has come to imply right-wing TERFy views.

I read the book many years ago, and used it as a supportive text when I came out to my parents. Another book that was touted at the time was True Selves, but I found that book fell way short of the mark.

[Jacob Hale · Rating 2 out of 5]

If the purpose of this book was to create greater empathy for transsexuals among mental health professionals who have little experience with us, maybe it succeeded; I have no way of judging this. For my reading purposes, though, there wasn't much, if anything, new or insightful. The most useful part for me was the afterword by Leah Cahan Schaefer and C. Christine Wheeler, which recaps their 1995 Archives of Sexual Behavior article on Harry Benjamin's first 10 cases; this time, they use the real first names (instead of pseudonyms), making things easier for trans historians.

[Grayson Harvey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outdated. There are several other books using modern language and better perspectives as it pertains to TGNC people.

I appreciate this book for the building block it provided for other folks to publish similar content after its time, but please research and read books about TGNC people that are BY TGNC people. Even better if the author is BIPOC.

[Goldie Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly amazing book that provides a better understanding of gender and gender communities. I was fortunate enough to meet Randi Ettner, and she not only signed my book, but she also assisted me in my own gender identity discoveries.