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Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary
From renowned trans activist, Luna M. Ferguson, comes a work of memoir and critical analysis that embraces an inclusive understanding of sex and gender.
Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary chronicles Luna M. Ferguson’s extraordinary story of transformation to become a celebrated non-binary filmmaker, writer, and advocate for trans rights. Beginning with their birth and early childhood of gender creativity, Ferguson recounts the complex and often challenging evolution of their identity, including traumatizing experiences with gender conversion therapy, bullying, depression, sexual assault, and violence. Above all, Ferguson’s story is about survival, empathy, and self-acceptance. By combining personal reflections on what it feels like to never truly fit into prescribed roles of male and female, and using an informed analysis of the ongoing shifts in contemporary attitudes towards sex and gender, Ferguson calls for an inclusive understanding of diverse human identity and respect for trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people. Through their honest and impassioned storytelling, we learn what it means to reclaim one’s identity and to live beyond the binary.
Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary chronicles Luna M. Ferguson’s extraordinary story of transformation to become a celebrated non-binary filmmaker, writer, and advocate for trans rights. Beginning with their birth and early childhood of gender creativity, Ferguson recounts the complex and often challenging evolution of their identity, including traumatizing experiences with gender conversion therapy, bullying, depression, sexual assault, and violence. Above all, Ferguson’s story is about survival, empathy, and self-acceptance. By combining personal reflections on what it feels like to never truly fit into prescribed roles of male and female, and using an informed analysis of the ongoing shifts in contemporary attitudes towards sex and gender, Ferguson calls for an inclusive understanding of diverse human identity and respect for trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people. Through their honest and impassioned storytelling, we learn what it means to reclaim one’s identity and to live beyond the binary.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2019
19 people are currently reading
402 people want to read
About the author
Luna M. Ferguson
1 book1 followerLUNA M. FERGUSON (Ph.D.) is a trans (they/them) filmmaker, writer, artist, and advocate. Their advocacy for non-binary legal recognition has contributed to policy changes in Canada. Ferguson’s filmmaking includes the award-winning Whispers of Life (2013); Limina (2016), which was shown at festivals around the world and praised for its trans inclusivity; and the queer love story Henry’s Heart (2019). Their writing and advocacy efforts have been featured in international publications including HuffPost, VICE, BuzzFeed, Teen Vogue, OUT Magazine, NBC News, The Guardian, and the Toronto Star. Ferguson lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with their partner Florian. Their first book, Me, Myself, They, a memoir, was published by House of Anansi in May 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 11, 2019
An important book by a leader in the fight for recognition of the rights of non-binary people in Canada and around the world. A difficult read at times, and sometimes a bit too earnest, but well worth the effort. (I also tried listening to the audio book, but I'm sorry to say it was more proof that authors should stick to being authors and leave narrating to the professionals.)
May 9, 2023
Tried to read it but ended up skimming most of it. Unfortunately very didactic and very 101; their personal experiences are brief and not incorporated well. On a sentence level, it's verbose and not fun to read. Wish the publisher had got them an editor. :(
August 11, 2019
This is a fantastic memoir imparting anecdotes, while also taking the time to organically inform, causally explaining terminology or situational contexts that may be unfamiliar to readers. Beyond that there are also wonderful info at the back - a more detailed glossary of terms, a timeline of major events in non-binary history around the world, and a list of support resources.
The stories told have an overwhelmingly positive lean, while there are great traumas and hardships, Joshua is a shining light through it. The feeling of an unwavering sense of self runs throughout, as they moved within a world that is un-malleable. From a joyful childhood that was unaware of doing the incorrect things, to school age experience that was full of clashing realities of having wonderful friends (and teachers) or terrible bullies (and teachers), to growing into their art and the fullness of identity in film school. This is a celebration of the fact that difference and being our true selves, makes us all better, not just as individuals but as a whole world.
On the other side, I couldn't stop myself from feeling deep frustration, though that is more a reflection on me internally at the moment than the tone of the book. Frustration that this only exists as a situation needing to be resisted against, creating lifelong difficulties, for contrived reasons of society and not because of anything to do with a non-binary person or how they might enjoy life, but because society in western culture is too small and limited minded. Joshua's parents early on and out of purely good motives, love and concern, sought help understanding if they should do something over enjoyment of the wrong sort of toys and activities, and the guidance was to change activities and steer toward doing the right things with the right people. They thought pushing the person they loved to change from being that person, because out of protectiveness they wanted their child to have an easier life than they could foresee otherwise. This plays out over and over through Joshua's life. It's not easier for the person changing, it changing to make it easier for a society that (while improving quickly) still can't accommodate what it can't simplify down for the lowest common denominator. I'm sad hearing that Joshua was a square peg that everyone told to sand down parts of themself to fit a round hole, but glad they remained stalwart and unflinching in being their true self. But so many of the rest of us are born weird by societal standards, we sand away the little outcropping non-conformities that were things we might love and enjoy, only because they make us not quite fit, although they hurt no one, they just make us impossible for the world to fit in a limited label. I'm frustrated that simply being fully authentic is a socially disruptive act.
Peppered throughout, and in particular the focus of the chapter The Magic, are instances of public figures who were meaningful to Joshua's life, and their internal experience of seeing representation. Even further as they entered film school and eventually became a film maker, it is imparted how much making choices with regard to representation is an inevitable part of creation and art. A huge takeaway for me personally to so me of these elements discussed, are that even if you are not LGBTQIA+ yourself, making compassion and acceptance of marginalized identities a public act is necessary, not narcissism.
Joshua's words, the social change they and others like them have advocated, as well as the research cited about the positive changes in young generations, all do give me so much hope for the future of western culture.
TW: Suicide, physical & sexual assault, hate speech.
The stories told have an overwhelmingly positive lean, while there are great traumas and hardships, Joshua is a shining light through it. The feeling of an unwavering sense of self runs throughout, as they moved within a world that is un-malleable. From a joyful childhood that was unaware of doing the incorrect things, to school age experience that was full of clashing realities of having wonderful friends (and teachers) or terrible bullies (and teachers), to growing into their art and the fullness of identity in film school. This is a celebration of the fact that difference and being our true selves, makes us all better, not just as individuals but as a whole world.
On the other side, I couldn't stop myself from feeling deep frustration, though that is more a reflection on me internally at the moment than the tone of the book. Frustration that this only exists as a situation needing to be resisted against, creating lifelong difficulties, for contrived reasons of society and not because of anything to do with a non-binary person or how they might enjoy life, but because society in western culture is too small and limited minded. Joshua's parents early on and out of purely good motives, love and concern, sought help understanding if they should do something over enjoyment of the wrong sort of toys and activities, and the guidance was to change activities and steer toward doing the right things with the right people. They thought pushing the person they loved to change from being that person, because out of protectiveness they wanted their child to have an easier life than they could foresee otherwise. This plays out over and over through Joshua's life. It's not easier for the person changing, it changing to make it easier for a society that (while improving quickly) still can't accommodate what it can't simplify down for the lowest common denominator. I'm sad hearing that Joshua was a square peg that everyone told to sand down parts of themself to fit a round hole, but glad they remained stalwart and unflinching in being their true self. But so many of the rest of us are born weird by societal standards, we sand away the little outcropping non-conformities that were things we might love and enjoy, only because they make us not quite fit, although they hurt no one, they just make us impossible for the world to fit in a limited label. I'm frustrated that simply being fully authentic is a socially disruptive act.
Peppered throughout, and in particular the focus of the chapter The Magic, are instances of public figures who were meaningful to Joshua's life, and their internal experience of seeing representation. Even further as they entered film school and eventually became a film maker, it is imparted how much making choices with regard to representation is an inevitable part of creation and art. A huge takeaway for me personally to so me of these elements discussed, are that even if you are not LGBTQIA+ yourself, making compassion and acceptance of marginalized identities a public act is necessary, not narcissism.
Joshua's words, the social change they and others like them have advocated, as well as the research cited about the positive changes in young generations, all do give me so much hope for the future of western culture.
"What is normal changes, and should change as society shifts and as we evolve as human beings. The normal is not set in stone."
TW: Suicide, physical & sexual assault, hate speech.
January 6, 2021
This one is an easy to digest and relate to book you may want to gift the people in your life who have zero understanding of what being non-binary means.
I enjoyed most chapters and connected a lot to the author's memories of growing up not conforming to the gender binary, but there was also a lot of savior complex language that we often hear from white queers and goes unchecked. Race and gender intersections were recognized, but rarely a thing about class, which it's often a red flag for me.
A must-read for anyone with non-binary friends and anyone in the closet. It comes with a list of resources for Canada and the US.
I enjoyed most chapters and connected a lot to the author's memories of growing up not conforming to the gender binary, but there was also a lot of savior complex language that we often hear from white queers and goes unchecked. Race and gender intersections were recognized, but rarely a thing about class, which it's often a red flag for me.
A must-read for anyone with non-binary friends and anyone in the closet. It comes with a list of resources for Canada and the US.
June 19, 2019
So many good thoughts and words.
June 28, 2021
This is a MUST READ memoir by Canadian writer, filmmaker and trans activist, Luna M Ferguson about growing up in Canada as trans and nonbinary. Born in 1982 as Joshua M. Ferguson, they knew at an early age they had a gender creative identity - at a time when gender nonconformity was considered a mental illness that needed to be corrected. They discuss the lasting pain and trauma they endured from undergoing gender conversion therapy at 8 years old while being VERY understanding of their parents' decisions (they were products of and influenced by societal and medical 'norms' of that time). I am outraged on their behalf, particularly considering that only today is the Canadian government trying to pass legislation banning conversion therapy and Conservative MPs (my own included) are voting against this. It blows my mind and makes my heart hurt for all the people continuing to be harmed by thinking like this.
Not surprisingly their early life was full of transphobia as well as outright hate crimes and they turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, leading to sexually abusive relationships. Luckily they did find a very happy relationship later in life and a passion for filmmaking while at university. The author was also one of the earliest trans rights activists in Canada, fighting the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario in order to become the first person to be issued a non-binary birth certificate.
This book is beautifully written and wonderful on audio narrated by the author. HIGHLY recommend this to learn more about Luna's experience navigating a life of gender nonconformity. There is so much love and forgiveness and hope in this book, despite the pain and trauma and I enjoyed listening to every minute of it!
Favorite quotes:
"I want to paint a horizon of hope with my story. I want us to begin to understand that human diversity is neither a weakness, a threat nor a fiction. Our diversity is a gift and it is an undeniable reality."
"This therapy was the beginning at age eight, of an incessant dehumanization that became a burden almost impossible to bear. A child should never be damaged by having their very identity, individuality, ripped from them. This wound will be with me forever, a monster of hate and shame took its painful shape within me."
"CIS people might find it difficult to understand the pain that trans people feel when we are mis-gendered by our family and friends even though we have afforded them time to adapt. This pain could be avoided if CIS people would do the work to use pronouns for trans people in all conversations, not just when they're around us because then new habits would be formed."
"It's devastating to experience daily verbal and physical abuse. It digs into your soul and drowns your spirit."
"We have become in a way bodies, to consume, study and objectify. This focus on our bodies creates a barrier to understanding us as human beings."
"Transphobia from our own family members is a deep and heartbreaking betrayal."
"I want to say to my six year old self it will be tough trying, even like a waking nightmare at times, but you know that you are strong. You are loved and you will be loved. You are a warrior. People will be hurtful, they will be violent but they will empower you and make you resilient. You will find a way to help other people because of your resilience. Your fight for survival and the fight for others will both soften and harden your body, heart and spirit but you were born to be the Amazon."
"We are trans and nonbinary and we are human beings with stories to tell, lives to live, love in our hearts and kindness to share. We are here to help make the world a better place simply by being ourselves. The world needs to elevate people at the margins to share different stories than the ones that are retold over and over."
Not surprisingly their early life was full of transphobia as well as outright hate crimes and they turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, leading to sexually abusive relationships. Luckily they did find a very happy relationship later in life and a passion for filmmaking while at university. The author was also one of the earliest trans rights activists in Canada, fighting the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario in order to become the first person to be issued a non-binary birth certificate.
This book is beautifully written and wonderful on audio narrated by the author. HIGHLY recommend this to learn more about Luna's experience navigating a life of gender nonconformity. There is so much love and forgiveness and hope in this book, despite the pain and trauma and I enjoyed listening to every minute of it!
Favorite quotes:
"I want to paint a horizon of hope with my story. I want us to begin to understand that human diversity is neither a weakness, a threat nor a fiction. Our diversity is a gift and it is an undeniable reality."
"This therapy was the beginning at age eight, of an incessant dehumanization that became a burden almost impossible to bear. A child should never be damaged by having their very identity, individuality, ripped from them. This wound will be with me forever, a monster of hate and shame took its painful shape within me."
"CIS people might find it difficult to understand the pain that trans people feel when we are mis-gendered by our family and friends even though we have afforded them time to adapt. This pain could be avoided if CIS people would do the work to use pronouns for trans people in all conversations, not just when they're around us because then new habits would be formed."
"It's devastating to experience daily verbal and physical abuse. It digs into your soul and drowns your spirit."
"We have become in a way bodies, to consume, study and objectify. This focus on our bodies creates a barrier to understanding us as human beings."
"Transphobia from our own family members is a deep and heartbreaking betrayal."
"I want to say to my six year old self it will be tough trying, even like a waking nightmare at times, but you know that you are strong. You are loved and you will be loved. You are a warrior. People will be hurtful, they will be violent but they will empower you and make you resilient. You will find a way to help other people because of your resilience. Your fight for survival and the fight for others will both soften and harden your body, heart and spirit but you were born to be the Amazon."
"We are trans and nonbinary and we are human beings with stories to tell, lives to live, love in our hearts and kindness to share. We are here to help make the world a better place simply by being ourselves. The world needs to elevate people at the margins to share different stories than the ones that are retold over and over."
September 20, 2019
Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary is an autobiography written by Joshua M. Ferguson. This memoir chronicles the fight and their struggles for their rights to have their gendered to be properly detailed in all their official documents from birth certificates to death certificates and everything in between.
Joshua M. Ferguson is a Canadian filmmaker and transgendered rights activist. In May 2017, Ferguson applied to change their birth registration to non-binary. After extended delay, in September 2017 they filed a human rights complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. The government of Ontario changed its policies in 2018 and issued Ferguson with a birth certificate showing their gender as non-binary. As a result, in addition to having options to change gender to male, female or X, Ontario is the first Canadian province, or government administration in the world, to permit citizens to request birth certificates with no sexual designation.
Ferguson, who uses they/them pronouns, highlights experiences from their life to explore gender and non-binary identity expression in this memoir. Ferguson notes that, despite standing out due to their appearance, their non-binary identity is often invisible to others, because non-binary gender categories aren't widely known.
They recount being diagnosed by a doctor in childhood as a cross dresser and receiving traumatizing interventions from doctors and psychologists to try to make them so called normal. After being bullied in school, violently attacked, and sexually assaulted, Ferguson turned to drugs, alcohol, and sexual relationships with older men. Transferring to a performing arts high school in 2001 brought new hope, and Ferguson went on to film school and established a film production company.
Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary is written rather well. It is a thematic, rather than chronological, which makes the autobiography somewhat disjointed. With this particular structure, it makes it difficult for readers to feel they're getting to know the author, and it doesn't help matters that the tone is often flat. Furthermore, it is more of a staunch defense of the rights for the non-binary and transgendered and a document of the social obstacles to doing so, than one of self-reflection or self-revelation and growth, which one thinks of an autobiography.
All in all, Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary is a well written memoir of the first person in Ontario to official have their sex changed on their birth certificate – Joshua M. Ferguson.
Joshua M. Ferguson is a Canadian filmmaker and transgendered rights activist. In May 2017, Ferguson applied to change their birth registration to non-binary. After extended delay, in September 2017 they filed a human rights complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. The government of Ontario changed its policies in 2018 and issued Ferguson with a birth certificate showing their gender as non-binary. As a result, in addition to having options to change gender to male, female or X, Ontario is the first Canadian province, or government administration in the world, to permit citizens to request birth certificates with no sexual designation.
Ferguson, who uses they/them pronouns, highlights experiences from their life to explore gender and non-binary identity expression in this memoir. Ferguson notes that, despite standing out due to their appearance, their non-binary identity is often invisible to others, because non-binary gender categories aren't widely known.
They recount being diagnosed by a doctor in childhood as a cross dresser and receiving traumatizing interventions from doctors and psychologists to try to make them so called normal. After being bullied in school, violently attacked, and sexually assaulted, Ferguson turned to drugs, alcohol, and sexual relationships with older men. Transferring to a performing arts high school in 2001 brought new hope, and Ferguson went on to film school and established a film production company.
Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary is written rather well. It is a thematic, rather than chronological, which makes the autobiography somewhat disjointed. With this particular structure, it makes it difficult for readers to feel they're getting to know the author, and it doesn't help matters that the tone is often flat. Furthermore, it is more of a staunch defense of the rights for the non-binary and transgendered and a document of the social obstacles to doing so, than one of self-reflection or self-revelation and growth, which one thinks of an autobiography.
All in all, Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary is a well written memoir of the first person in Ontario to official have their sex changed on their birth certificate – Joshua M. Ferguson.
June 1, 2022
I thought this was an important book filled with a lot of important information. I didn’t know who Luna was until I was looking for trans stories on Libby. I am very happy I found them!
May 27, 2019
In my opinion, this is a must-read for anyone who wants an authentic, human, vulnerable, and ultimately uplifting read about one person’s journey to discovering what non-binary means to them. I have the deepest respect and admiration for Joshua’s story and the strength of their efforts towards non-binary recognition in Ontario & Canada.
In a time where non-binary is coming to the forefront of gender identity discussions, this is a fantastic read for anyone looking to gain more understanding of what non-binary can look like in the real world.
In a time where non-binary is coming to the forefront of gender identity discussions, this is a fantastic read for anyone looking to gain more understanding of what non-binary can look like in the real world.
July 2, 2020
Luna (formerly Joshua) Ferguson is a Canadian non-binary trans (former) academic, writer, and filmmaker. This was a quick readable memoir that covered, episodically, important moments in Ferguson's life, relationships to cultural figures who were inspirations in their trans journey, as well as key political moments in nonbinary (and) trans rights in Canada, written with great transparency around the emotional rollercoasters these events cased for Ferguson. I had never heard of Ferguson before reading the book, which I read in part seeking a better understanding of what being non-binary identity looks like/feels like/is experienced like. But having read it, I'm interested to check out some of Ferguson's films. Although as Ferguson points out, they don't speak for anyone's non-binary identity but their own, and they point out their privilege as a white non-binary person in a world where so many trans people of colour fare so much more poorly, it did help me to understand non-binary experience better. I don't know that it resonates for me in terms of "wow - that's also how I've felt my whole life" because I've never experienced my assigned-female-at-birth gender experience as so ill-fitting that the whole label doesn't fit, but I could definitely identify with the more general experience of not fitting in and being bullied, and the way that resonates throughout your life. A worthwhile read.
July 3, 2021
Me, Myself, They: Life Beyond the Binary by Luna M. Ferguson* (4 stars) is a memoir about their life including the struggles in the fight for non-binary rights in Canada.
In the book, they recount being diagnosed as a cross dresser by a doctor and receiving traumatizing interventions to make them 'normal'. It was hard to read about the gender conversion therapies that Ferguson was subjected to. Ferguson turned to alcohol and substance abuse as well as sexual relationships with older men to try and overcome their past. Ferguson was able to push through and attended film school then going on to establish their own film production company.
Before reading this book, I only vaguely remember hearing about Ferguson’s case against the government, which is sad because I'm Canadian! It was easy to feel frustrated while reading about all the resistance that Ferguson met with in their struggles with changing their identity. I was happy, almost cheering them on, when Ferguson's finally was able to get their birth certificate changed to non-binary. Ferguson’s story, at times, is really raw and gritty until since it's so well-written it's easy to get through.
I wanted to note that they were born with the name James but, have since changed their name to Luna; hence my stared name above. I appreciated how Ferguson pointed out that their experience as a white non-binary person is very different than that of a non-binary person of colour.
"I want to paint a horizon of hope with my story. I want us to begin to understand that human diversity is neither a weakness, a threat nor a fiction. Our diversity is a gift and it is an undeniable reality."
Overall, Ferguson’s story is really impactful and engaging and I'm very intrigued to checkout their films.
In the book, they recount being diagnosed as a cross dresser by a doctor and receiving traumatizing interventions to make them 'normal'. It was hard to read about the gender conversion therapies that Ferguson was subjected to. Ferguson turned to alcohol and substance abuse as well as sexual relationships with older men to try and overcome their past. Ferguson was able to push through and attended film school then going on to establish their own film production company.
Before reading this book, I only vaguely remember hearing about Ferguson’s case against the government, which is sad because I'm Canadian! It was easy to feel frustrated while reading about all the resistance that Ferguson met with in their struggles with changing their identity. I was happy, almost cheering them on, when Ferguson's finally was able to get their birth certificate changed to non-binary. Ferguson’s story, at times, is really raw and gritty until since it's so well-written it's easy to get through.
I wanted to note that they were born with the name James but, have since changed their name to Luna; hence my stared name above. I appreciated how Ferguson pointed out that their experience as a white non-binary person is very different than that of a non-binary person of colour.
"I want to paint a horizon of hope with my story. I want us to begin to understand that human diversity is neither a weakness, a threat nor a fiction. Our diversity is a gift and it is an undeniable reality."
Overall, Ferguson’s story is really impactful and engaging and I'm very intrigued to checkout their films.
November 26, 2020
I very much want to understand the subject of this work - non-binary and genderfluidity and its variations but I can't honestly say I feel a lot more enlightened after reading this book. I think the author, perhaps, tried to be more cerebral than emotional, more intellectual than accessible. Maybe there is just no way that someone who doesn't live with this personally, or be close to someone who does can entirely wrap their head around it. I'm trying. In my opinion, what's in someone else's pants - or head - is not my business. I think the easiest thing to do is just accept that this is the way it is for people and that should be totally fine. Our society is not there yet but we all need to keep trying.
February 17, 2020
This book is marvellous. It is a journey into the personal story of a beautiful compassionate human being, a talented artist and writer that will positively impact so many lives and will help many people on so many levels including and beyond the non binary, trans and every single community. There is something in this book for everyone. It is raw, revealing their sufferings, their path and their journey and it shows us how life can be so wonderful when love finds each other, in acceptance and understanding.
My deepest gratitude for your wisdom, for your insight and for your sharing.
My deepest gratitude for your wisdom, for your insight and for your sharing.
August 1, 2019
This book reveals what it is like to be non-binary. Joshua, who identifies as non-binary, details their childhood, activism, and experiences. They had some real tough experiences with bullying, and assault. But they have come into their own.
I did learn a lot from this book, but I felt that it could have been organized differently. There was something about the way it was structured that didn't quite work for me.
I am interested to see Joshua's films.
I did learn a lot from this book, but I felt that it could have been organized differently. There was something about the way it was structured that didn't quite work for me.
I am interested to see Joshua's films.
October 10, 2020
I loved reading Joshua’s story.
I met them briefly at the Fold Festival and had my book signed, but it’s taken me awhile to get around to reading it, and then I decided to borrow the audio from the library because they told me that during the recording they had a picture of Carrie Fisher for inspiration and I enjoyed listening to the book with that in mind.
Such a great story of why Joshua came to be the first Ontario resident with non-binary ID.
I met them briefly at the Fold Festival and had my book signed, but it’s taken me awhile to get around to reading it, and then I decided to borrow the audio from the library because they told me that during the recording they had a picture of Carrie Fisher for inspiration and I enjoyed listening to the book with that in mind.
Such a great story of why Joshua came to be the first Ontario resident with non-binary ID.
Read
June 7, 2021Overall a quick, though provoking read. I enjoyed hearing the authors perspective and thought the thematic structure was very effective, but it wasn't always clear who the intended audience of this book might be. I would recommend it to young nonbinary people who would benefit from their experience and the in depth definitions, but I not sure it has quite enough context for someone without any prior knowledge and there was a lot of time spent defining basic terminology.
July 21, 2023
Luna Ferguson is a true giant in the nonbinary Canadian activism and history. Their memoir touches on some of their most impactful work - short films and getting the first X marker on a Canadian passport - as well as their dark and challenging childhood in Ontario. I felt that at times it was a bit Trans 101 - but it’s a good reminder that it is important to humanize the trans experience for those who have never encountered it before… I just hunger for more complexity now.
January 1, 2020
Genre: autobiography/memoir(?)
Notes: Nonbinary author tells the story of their life growing up nonbinary. I particularly connected with the last chapter, which talks about minority sexualities and genders being natural. It’s great to see nonbinary representation out there and I learned a lot by reading this! Like my state offers an X option on driver’s licenses now??? I’m looking into that!
Notes: Nonbinary author tells the story of their life growing up nonbinary. I particularly connected with the last chapter, which talks about minority sexualities and genders being natural. It’s great to see nonbinary representation out there and I learned a lot by reading this! Like my state offers an X option on driver’s licenses now??? I’m looking into that!
July 28, 2021
Pretty good book they gave a but of their experience as an nb person but that being said it was from a place of privilege that they did address but all in all it was pretty good. Not sure if it would be great for someone just starting to educate themselves about nb identities but I liked it
February 2, 2022
This is a beautiful book written by a truly luminous person. I’m glad they were willing to share themselves in such an open and vulnerable way. I finished reading this with a greater understanding of non-binary, despite thinking I already knew what it meant.
February 27, 2022
I'm so thankful to get insight into a perspective/way of viewing the world other than my own and to better understand human experiences that I will never have. This read has enlightened me to think in new ways and changed me for the better.
Read
June 10, 2025I'm not going to rate this because for me it was just okay, but I do think Luna M. Ferguson provides an important voice highlighting the nonbinary/gender non-conforming experience, which is often overlooked within the LGBTQI+ community.
June 26, 2025
DNF. I commend the author for sharing their story, but as another review mentioned, this book is mostly telling and not much showing. It feels like it’s for people with little to no prior knowledge of trans nonbinary issue.
June 18, 2019
*3 stars*
July 19, 2019
Empathetic. Honest. Interesting.
August 21, 2019
I learned a lot from Joshua and their story. Unfortunately, for me, writing by topic vs. chronologically wasn’t always easy to follow or engaging.
January 29, 2020
I quite enjoyed this book. Ferguson comes across as an extremely kind and empathetic person. They send an important message.
May 30, 2020
Excellent view and explanation of nonbinary gender. The struggles that they experienced hit so close to home for me and it is so nice to see myself represented in media. Thank you Joshua.
January 8, 2021
Some good insight at the beginning into being non-binary and the experience of self discovery. Gets lost in meandering stories. I found it difficult to finish.
February 27, 2021
This is an important topic, but the book felt like a lot of "telling" and not a whole lot of "showing."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews