Challenging Genders: Non-Binary Experiences of Those Assigned Female at Birth

by Michael Eric Brown, Daywalker Burill

About the book Challenging Genders is an introduction to non-binary individuals who were, in this case, assigned as female at birth but do not identify as strictly binary male or female. The book delves into a number of gender identities and what it means to be first perceived as a girl, then a woman and not identifying as either but instead identify as non-binary. These are people who you meet and speak with every day. When you go to work, when you play your weekend sports, when you’re grocery shopping – they are there. They are your doctors, your teachers, your hairdressers, your attorneys, your neighbors, your friends, and yes, even your children, siblings, and parents. Readers will learn about terminologies (including the ones defined by personal experience), common attitudes and perceptions in society, and issues such as pronoun usage, misgendering, gender expectations, and discrimination. Part I is concentrated on education, while Part II consists of the contributed stories of sixteen non-binary individuals who have chosen to share their stories with the world. What others are saying “….This long-overdue manuscript provides an essential foundation for those seeking answers about the diversity of gender.” Shaun-Adrián Choflá, Ed.D. - Anti-Bias Educator and Scholar “…outstanding educational and emotional work that will help to dissolve the lines that separate us as well as lift the curtain of ignorance that permeates this subject.” Ms. Kari Samantha McAllister, Gender Lecturer, Library Commissioner, Hayward, CA

Genres: Gender, Transgender, Queer, Nonfiction, LGBT, Genderfluid, Gender and Sexuality

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

Michael Eric Brown is known for his contributions both on and offline, especially in the realm of social justice and gender concerns. A student who is interested in how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others, Michael is working his way towards a PhD in Social Psychology in order to both educate society and provide research on the lives of transgender individuals. As a professional freelance writer, he writes on a variety of subjects and engages his readers with his unique writing style.

Reviews

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a nice collection of interesting stories of non-binary, genderqueer, agender... etc people of different ages describing their experiences. Most, if not all of them have transitioned to varying degrees or expressed the desire of doing so. I would have wished reading about non-binary people being well in their bodies and their experiences as well - the lack of that left me somewhat frustrated. Other than that, good book.

[TK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulling together a reading list for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of understanding intersectional LBGTQ+ identities. I would put this book in the beginner category with maybe edging towards intermediate. The beginning parts I skimmed through to get an idea of what was in the book but it wasn't anything new to me.

The strength lies in the second half with people sharing small versions of their stories with a relatively diverse range of AFAB narratives. For my own personal identities I was hoping for more NB stories that weren't just about not liking their biological body or wishing to alter it, but knowing the box "female" was constricting.

[Ash Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

A diverse group of gender non-conforming and trans people sharing their stories. The first half of the book included some brilliant explanations in simple, understandable terms and is very informative for trans and cis people. A few grammatical errors I picked up but nothing major at all. I really enjoyed this book and its inclusion of true stories from the community. Very well written.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give it 3 stars because the personal stories were compelling. But the first part of the book was in desperate need of some editing. I read the e- book and it was full of awkward sentences and typos! I wanted to take out my red pen. The sloppiness of the writing distracted me from the content, which I was otherwise keenly interested in as a family member just came out as non- binary.

[Beta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!

[Luna Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would probably be perfect for someone who doesn’t know shit about LGBTQ+. I mainly just skimmed through since this is basic knowledge that I already know. It might’ve needed a bit of editing; it’s a little sloppy, maybe a bit rushed, but it’s informative. But yeah, it was alright, I guess.