Surviving Transphobia

by Laura A. Jacobs (Editor)

The transgender and gender nonbinary community is forever under siege. Institutional transphobia is enacted by those who would return us to the shadows, the closets, or worse.

Surviving Transphobia is an anthology by transgender and gender nonbinary celebrities and experts on endurance during times of severe hostility. We share the moments when we were vulnerable, were bullied, had needs dismissed, or were discriminated against, revealing our determination and how we have (sometimes) managed to thrive. We offer loving support as you brave agony and seek joy. We also speak to our allies.

We are activists, actors, athletes, authors, lawyers, doctors, nurses, therapists, sex workers, clergy, diplomats, and military veterans. We are of many ethnicities. We vary socioeconomically, educationally, and geographically. Some are neurodivergent. Several are disabled or have chronic illnesses. A few are HIV+. A small number were born elsewhere.

We have survived, here's how. And if we can survive... so can you.

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Queer, Transgender, Adult, Social Issues

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 21, 2023

Reviews

[Jemima Pett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Jacobs, herself a transgender person, approached a wide range of people she had worked with, or networked with, or were recommended by others, to put this book together. Each person tells their own, very personal, experiences of being transgender.

I could not read more than two of these accounts in any one sitting. They are so raw, so well documented, so human. Some of them are extraordinarily beautifully written. It was an emotional roller coaster.

I don’t understand why people hate so much. I don’t understand why people hate perfectly nice people who just happen to have (or choose) a different look, or different lifestyle. The refugee from Argentina’s dictatorship who found America so abominably different from the haven and luxury she expected — that I understand.

But whether I understand or not, that is the reality of the current USA, and a warning to the rest of us. Right-wing policies are growing, across the globe.

If you, like me, have very little knowledge of the LGBTQ++ world, this will open your eyes. One or two of them will explain in horrible detail some things that you may find useful if you are an author, but are otherwise, well, extreme. It will also show you that these transgender people are, above all, people. They have hopes, dreams, aspirations just like mine. Most of the people in the world want much the same thing. It’s how we get manipulated by those who want control.

I want to thank Laura Jacobs and all those brave enough to stand up and tell their stories, and to come forward to fight for the rights of others. This is an important book. It will hopefully help many trans people stuck in an isolated situation, to know they are not alone. But nobody who hates will read it.

[Virgowriter (Brad Windhauser) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lot of excellent essays on various trans experiences—and ones that avoid the standard trans as tragedy trope.

[Emkoshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I'd be able to zip through this anthology of trans voices this in a week, reading two stories a day, but it's a dense read as well as an important and worthwhile one. Editor Laura A. Jacobs doesn't mince words in her opening, declaring that those who are transphobic are actively creating "a white supremacist, Christian nationalist, fascist America". Sadly, that seems like a pretty accurate picture of America today (September 2024); let's hope things change in November. I'm a cisgender white woman but work with a few non-binary and transgender children in an education support role and books like this are so valuable in giving us allies insights into the many struggles (and triumphs) transgender people face. Personally, the stories I found most fascinating were 'A Trans Man in the Military' by Dana Delgardo and 'The Highs and Lows of Trans at State' by Robyn Alice McCutcheon, but there's so many rich lives to explore in here. These people are amazing, inspiring and — most importantly of all — human. Let's treat them with the dignity and respect that everyone deserves.

[ᛚᚨᚱᚲᚨ × ᚠᛖᚾᚱᛁᚱ (Semi hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

***This is an ACR of a book coming out on the 21st of September 2023 courtesy of NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher.***

The curator of the book, Laura A. Jacobs is psychotherapist, activist, and author specializing in trans, transgender, gender nonconforming… any gender identity and sexual expression under the sun. She’s a trans-woman herself – which makes her contribution and insight even more impactful.

This book is an anthology by transgender women, transgender men, and people non-binary or genderqueer who are coming from a lot of backgrounds, and that the author has personally encountered.

That being said, and knowing the purpose of the book, the author still wants to specify in her forewards that

this is also a book for allies, and those who provide empathetic support. It is even for people uncertain about transgender rights

Again: I had other expectations for this book – I hoped to see some positivity. It doesn’t fail to delivere the expectations, in a way. Sharing their story of survival, these ordinary and extraordinary people highlight the resilience of their community, go beyond fears and doubts, and against the uncertainty of what America has become.

This collection of people’s life experiences is honest, often tough, and always “unapologetically political“. After the 2016 American election things looked dim, and unfortunately rightfully so. We don’t just need to hope, but we need to work hard for things to change again for the better, always improving our society and the sense of security and right to exist every being should experience and be granted.


More at Inky Lighthouse

[Chris L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a time when the transgender community has been targeted as the new issue for politicians and bigots all around the world, Laura A. Jacobs's collected essay around transgender life and experience is a welcome salve. As she points out in her introduction, the "transgender non-binary community are under siege."

These essays give voice to people who just want to live their lives, and they are being attacked for being themselves. There are essays covering the transgender experience, transgender history, legal issues, medical treatment, safety issues, as well as transgender/non-binary people learning to love themselves.

I'm not a trans person, but this book spoke to me. It showed me how much ignorance there is in the world surrounding the transgender community, and this book is the perfect antidote to that. It showed the transgender community as wonderful and complicated just like life and everyone in this world.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't overstate the importance of this book. It's a collection of real experiences, written by real people who aren't cis, and compiled by someone who is also part of the community. If we're ever to take steps forward, and fight the waves of transphobia sweeping across the US, then people need to read this book among other resources. If you're looking for a collection of upbeat, hopeful, sunshine and roses stories, then this isn't what you're looking for. If you want unapologetically real, raw experiences, then you've found the perfect collection. I really hope that this inspires change, and gives strength to those who need it, as they experience many of the same things shared in this book.

[Sam2004 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to put my thoughts together in a way that encompasses the importance of all of these author's views and essays. As a genderqueer individual myself, I have strong feelings about the themes discussed, (and thus these essays mean a great deal to me.) and have taken to heart a great deal of the wisdom from these authors who all feel invaluable to our community.

This collection of essays has,
1: Shone a light on some amazing individuals in the LGBT+ and trans community. (I have more sources than ever to learn about LGBT+ persons.)

2: Given me some more wisdom about the world and how to view my own gender.

And I think this collection of essays is invaluable to trans and cis people alike.

[Rae's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology consists of a variety of stories that depict the experiences of trans and genderqueer individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The book is an embodiment of vulnerability, and there were numerous instances that infuriated and saddened me. As a genderqueer person, I felt a deep connection with some of these stories.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, particularly those who do not extend their support to the community or individuals who are not white, cis, or straight.

Trans people are human. We deserve to live and thrive in the world. We deserve to love and be who we are and not deal with transphobia on a daily basis both in personal situations and online.

An insightful book that should be on everyone's shelves or library. 5

[Lily Heron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I quickly realised I wasn't in the right place to read Surviving Transphobia in its totality, so I decided to focus on the essay by Lexie Bean, the author of 'The Ship We Built', which I loved reading. As expected, Bean writes with fierce compassion and heart, presenting a nine-point exploration of the experience of being trans and sharing a great deal of pain and triumph. I hope many readers will take something comforting from whichever essays of Surviving Transphobia they can manage.

I am grateful to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for the opportunity to read an ARC of Surviving Transphobia in exchange for an honest review.

[Alec ⟠]

Surviving Transphobia is a book about how different people have experienced their gender identity journeys, and consists of short essays from lots of different kinds of trans people, all about how they figured out they were trans, what it means for them, and how others around them accepted or rejected them for it. This is a topic close to my heart, and I felt that it was approached very carefully, and the various inputs allowed for the book to feel like a discussion on what it means to be trans. I think this book is a very important one, and I would definitely recommend this to trans people and allies, or anyone looking to learn more about being transgender.

[auteaandtales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant anthology containing authors from different walks of life. It speaks about intersectionality’s and each chapter takes you on a different journey. Many of them go to dark places, so I’d advise people to read through some trigger warnings before picking this one up. It did inspire hope and showed how things can be tough, they may even be even tougher, but trans people will always survive.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eArc

[Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here, trans and nonbinary people do the talking on what transphobia is. This anthology provides a clear overview of the effects of transphobia today, materially and psychologically, without naming the modern perpetrators. It offers affirmation from people who believe in our dignity and magic although they've gone through hard times. Some of us are thinking about transphobia every day, and some of us have not survived it, but this book helps light the way. This is readable and sharable.

[Zoozoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology is a brilliant look into the lives of trans and nonbinary people who have recently been facing increasingly more vitriol. Some of these essays made me genuinely tear up, others made me feel angry at the injustices trans people have to face daily due to deep-seated societal ignorance and unwillingness to accept difference. I would assign this eye-opening collection as mandatory reading to any person who holds prejudice and is apprehensive towards trans/NB people, because you will find they are just as human as you and deserve the same respect and legal acknowledgment as any other human being.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free review copy of this book!

[Adrian Shanker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Surviving Transphobia, Laura Jacobs provides an intersectional and multigenerational consideration of how trans people are navigating through personal and political harm. But this isn’t a depressing book, it’s a book of resilience and even joy, and one I hope many cis activists for broader LGBTQI+ equity will read and learn from!

[Theo Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is trans, Surviving Transphobia was an eye opening, deeply personal and resonating experience; at times difficult but still spiritually resonating. This book is something I plan to return to and will recommend it to the cisgender people in my life.

[Ralph Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A consideration of the issues and experiences facing the Trans community which sometimes feels like a history of pain; you want to hug each and every individua storyteller. But then there is so much joy and, however faint it might be -- hope.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and is so important - I especially loved Finn Gratton's chapter

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't people just live and let live?

[Isaak · Rating 5 out of 5]

a much needed collection, hopeful despite it all.
if you are wondering if your work and/ or activism makes a difference: it does, and this book is for you!

[rhian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an E-Arc of Surviving Transphobia by Laura A. Jacobs from Netgalley so thank you to them! This book is a breath taking anthology of trans experiences. Every chapter follows a new person and the story they tell about their gender identity within their life. The people focused on in the book come from different walks of life. They all have separate goals, experiences, and struggles. The chapters are a good reminder of where trans people have come from and how far they will continue to go even with the current political climate. There is survival even in the hardest of situations. This book is especially good for those who are struggling with the attack on trans rights that is going on at the moment and who are afraid of what will happen next.
I found the writing to be exceptionally good in some of the chapters and a little slow in others, but that is just the way of an anthology written by multiple people. The author who organizes this does a lovely job setting up who will be speaking in the chapter and telling us about them. I found the book easy to read in the way of writing although some of the topics discussed could get quite dark. Please remember to heed the warnings at the beginning because some of the topics discussed could be triggering to you. The footnotes at the bottom of the pages does a great job helping explaining some of the terms or ideas that might not be familiar to the reader. There is also a great endnote of sources that the writers used in their chapters.