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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Trans
Leading activist and essayist Brynn Tannehill tells you everything you ever wanted to know about transgender issues but were afraid to ask. The book aims to break down deeply held misconceptions about trans people across all aspects of life, from politics, law and culture, through to science, religion and mental health, to provide readers with a deeper understanding of what it means to be trans.The book walks the reader through transgender issues, starting with "What does transgender mean?" before moving on to more complex topics including growing up trans, dating and sex, medical and mental health, and debates around gender and feminism. Brynn also challenges deliberately deceptive information about transgender people being put out into the public sphere. Transphobic myths are debunked and biased research, bad statistics and bad science are carefully and clearly refuted.This important and engaging book enables any reader to become informed the most critical public conversations around transgender people, and become a better ally as a result.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2018
133 people are currently reading
757 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 21, 2018
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Trans (But Were Afraid To Ask), written and compiled by transgender advocate Brynn Tannehill, is an impressive and thoroughly informative read which lived up to its title and then some. I enjoyed that it was comprehensive but it may be off-putting to those looking for a lighter and less heavy approach. Unfortunately, the author does raise relevant points repeatedly which did become quite tiresome, and it felt more than just Ms Tannehill hammering points home and strayed into annoying territory.
This a fantastic introduction to transgender issues and the hardships those who transition face, and the fact that it compiles everything you need to know in one convenient work makes it easy to learn both basic and in-depth information about trans people. It's quite hefty at over 400 pages long, but it gives plenty of scope for the author to set the record straight on certain dangerous pieces of media misinformation. Exploration of taboo topics are dealt with respectfully, sensitively and with lots of emotional information present. This is a book that the majority of people would gain a new understanding of prevalent issues in today society. It is certainly the best and most thorough relating to the transgender lifestyle that I have had the pleasure to read.
Many thanks to Jessica Kingsley for an ARC.
This a fantastic introduction to transgender issues and the hardships those who transition face, and the fact that it compiles everything you need to know in one convenient work makes it easy to learn both basic and in-depth information about trans people. It's quite hefty at over 400 pages long, but it gives plenty of scope for the author to set the record straight on certain dangerous pieces of media misinformation. Exploration of taboo topics are dealt with respectfully, sensitively and with lots of emotional information present. This is a book that the majority of people would gain a new understanding of prevalent issues in today society. It is certainly the best and most thorough relating to the transgender lifestyle that I have had the pleasure to read.
Many thanks to Jessica Kingsley for an ARC.
December 30, 2018
If all you know about gender is that everyone is either XX/vagina/girl or XY/penis/boy, you're provably wrong. And you owe it to the 1.4 million transgender people in the US to either learn the facts or keep your opinions to yourselves. Because the spread of misinformation is killing people. Literally.
This book is well-researched and presents the facts about being transgender. It's organized into chapters that address specific topics, such as: Transgender 101 (if you read nothing else, at least read this); the law as it pertains to the transgender community; politics; religion; and the military. Anything you read here has an end note (or more) corroborating the information. This isn't speculation or opinion: it's fact- and science-based.
Well, what if you've seen contradictory information, like that video from a pediatrician that says transgender is a choice because you can't change chromosomes, or the stuff that Paul McHugh of John Hopkins University has written? This book addresses those topics and claims, and shows where they are wrong. It shies away from nothing, and uses facts, studies, and scientific advancements to separate myth and misinformation from truth.
Page 305 of this book says, "The fiercest transgender allies in America are the parents of transgender children." Spot on. Before our transgender child discovered who he was and came out, he was a wreck. He was suicidal. He went in and out of mental hospitals. His arms and legs still bear the scars of self-harm. He couldn't function in society. He was miserable. We took him to the best mental-health professionals we could find. He received excellent treatment. He made progress -- but it was slow and insufficient. Now that he's transitioned, he is flourishing. He received the care crucial for him -- just as the leading US health organizations (the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, et al) recommend.
There -- you've read my anecdote. Now go read the data. Don't believe the myths about being transgender.
This book is well-researched and presents the facts about being transgender. It's organized into chapters that address specific topics, such as: Transgender 101 (if you read nothing else, at least read this); the law as it pertains to the transgender community; politics; religion; and the military. Anything you read here has an end note (or more) corroborating the information. This isn't speculation or opinion: it's fact- and science-based.
Well, what if you've seen contradictory information, like that video from a pediatrician that says transgender is a choice because you can't change chromosomes, or the stuff that Paul McHugh of John Hopkins University has written? This book addresses those topics and claims, and shows where they are wrong. It shies away from nothing, and uses facts, studies, and scientific advancements to separate myth and misinformation from truth.
Page 305 of this book says, "The fiercest transgender allies in America are the parents of transgender children." Spot on. Before our transgender child discovered who he was and came out, he was a wreck. He was suicidal. He went in and out of mental hospitals. His arms and legs still bear the scars of self-harm. He couldn't function in society. He was miserable. We took him to the best mental-health professionals we could find. He received excellent treatment. He made progress -- but it was slow and insufficient. Now that he's transitioned, he is flourishing. He received the care crucial for him -- just as the leading US health organizations (the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, et al) recommend.
There -- you've read my anecdote. Now go read the data. Don't believe the myths about being transgender.
March 31, 2023
Disclaimer: I bought this book in hopes of reading it, highlighting and annotating the sections I felt that got into the specific topics that I am not literate enough to explain myself, and pass it on to my well-intentioned, but ignorant, family members.
While this book was educational, informative, and backed by research, science, and law, I don't think it's something palatable for someone who is in the trans 101, "what does trans and cis even mean," phase of their life. This gets into the weeds, which I personally appreciated, but I don't think that any cis family members I hand it to will actually read through it, not even with my sticky notes, highlights, and tabbing 🥹
This book was published in 2018, and some of the ideas and topics are already a bit outdated with information, political decisions, pop culture references, statistics, and societal issues. I wish I would have read this in 2018 rather than in 2023 to get the full impact it was aiming for.
Another thing for me personally, is that this focused mainly on trans binary issues. What harm trans men and trans women are facing. It is extremely important information, and this book has so much detail, on binary trans people. I would have loved to see more touched on nonbinary people and the issues they face as well. There's a bit sprinkled in here and there in chapters, but this felt heavily detailed in the binary experience.
This also is coming from a very white lens, and I would have loved to see more exploration on intersectionality. There was a guest writer who wrote on issues trans men face; it would have been an excellent opportunity to have a few extra chapters including other guest writers of different trans identities and marginalized backgrounds.
This definitely hit my heartstrings... it was a lot to read through and a lot of reminders of the hateful rhetoric that political and religious parties' use. Hug your trans friends, folks. Send your legislators a letter. It's never ending, the fearmongering and misinformation.
While this book was educational, informative, and backed by research, science, and law, I don't think it's something palatable for someone who is in the trans 101, "what does trans and cis even mean," phase of their life. This gets into the weeds, which I personally appreciated, but I don't think that any cis family members I hand it to will actually read through it, not even with my sticky notes, highlights, and tabbing 🥹
This book was published in 2018, and some of the ideas and topics are already a bit outdated with information, political decisions, pop culture references, statistics, and societal issues. I wish I would have read this in 2018 rather than in 2023 to get the full impact it was aiming for.
Another thing for me personally, is that this focused mainly on trans binary issues. What harm trans men and trans women are facing. It is extremely important information, and this book has so much detail, on binary trans people. I would have loved to see more touched on nonbinary people and the issues they face as well. There's a bit sprinkled in here and there in chapters, but this felt heavily detailed in the binary experience.
This also is coming from a very white lens, and I would have loved to see more exploration on intersectionality. There was a guest writer who wrote on issues trans men face; it would have been an excellent opportunity to have a few extra chapters including other guest writers of different trans identities and marginalized backgrounds.
This definitely hit my heartstrings... it was a lot to read through and a lot of reminders of the hateful rhetoric that political and religious parties' use. Hug your trans friends, folks. Send your legislators a letter. It's never ending, the fearmongering and misinformation.
February 9, 2020
Brynn Tannehill has written I well needed book. It covers what being a transgender or gender non-conforming person is, what they are like, and the issues they face. She covers the basics in the first chapter and then goes into greater detail in chapter two. She then dives deeper into sex and dating, medical and mental health issues, flimsy science, law, politics, religion, the military, the media and popular culture, feminism, and a look at what the future might hold for this population.
I have some thoughts to share on pieces of the text. Numbers in brackets [] are Kindle locations.
[124] "A transgender man is a person who was seen as female when they were born, but identifies and lives as a man. A transgender woman is someone who was seen as male when they were born, but identifies and lives as a woman." You don't have to be out to be a transgender male or female. From my understanding it is the gender you identify as that is important and is a gender that does not match the sex you were assigned at birth.
[129] “'Transgender people' is preferable in most cases. While 'transgenderism' is used in in a few academic journals, it is most often used by people hostile to transgender people." I didn't know this. I have used it before in my writing at times, and I am certainly not hostile being a transwoman myself.
[490] "Finally, transgender women are women. Being attracted to women doesn’t make you gay." If a woman loves a woman in a sexual way she is a lesbian. Aren't lesbians gay?
[842] Quoting a transwoman of color on dating: ". . . I’ve found that the same class and race bias that people have before they transition are what they keep when they start living as their target gender.'" I feel that being a gender different from the sex assigned at birth doesn't change the person they were after there recognition of their true gender. They are pretty much the same person, besides gender and its expression.
[853] "People in the kink communities are almost by definition open to experimenting sexually. Transgender people are just another variation in the realm of possibilities. From a transgender person’s perspective, though, it can be disconcerting and dehumanizing to be treated more like a rare Pokemon that needs to be caught to complete someone’s collection." Being part of a few online "kink" communities, I don't feel it is kinky in the sense of being abnormal. It can be consider so only in a statistical manner. I am very clear on these sites— respect me or get blocked.
[1148] "We have 40-plus years of neuroscience research basically telling us that gender identity and body image are written early on in development, and sometimes they don’t match.'" But, some only recognize their true gender until late in life. I am one of these women. I had no clear gendr identity as a younger person, although when I look back there were some clues like feeling more comfortable hanging out with girls rather than boys. Later on I did wonder what it would be like to be a woman, but did not think that I actually was.
[1150] "People, however, do not naturally identify as a cat, or as an attack helicopter for that matter." I identify as a cat. Or maybe have a strong desire to be one sometimes. There is a difference between being a cat and being a helicopter. Cats are living, and helicopters are not.
[1531] "What parents of transgender and gender non-conforming children want is the same thing that every other parent wants: for their children to be happy, safe, loved, and protected." Why than are some parents abusive, and why do parents often abandon their child once they come out.
[2675] In a quote of a doctor supporting reparative therapy “If that prerogative is denied, should parents also be denied the right to raise their children as atheists? Or as priests?" Yes. Parents should not choose there children's path in life. Their job is to nurture their children to grow up strong and independent in whatever healthy endeavors they might choose.
[3332] "Transgender identities are often a very alien concept to people. Empathizing with people based simply on their humanity is hard. Having empathy for someone who is very different is even harder." They don't even have to be different, only to be perceived to be different. We are all individuals, hence we are all different with one exception. We are all human beings.
[5686] “We can reach into those spaces too, with authentic representations of transgender people in media, as were shown in TransMilitary, and casting actual transgender people for roles of transgender characters." What about casting transgender actors in cisgender roles. That to me would recognize these actors as like any other actor.
[6265] Writing on things that are still being swapped under the carpet, the author writes: "In another instance, a transgender woman was found to be into kink. This was used to discredit her by people who claimed that, because of it, she wasn’t really transgender." Why is something sexually outside of normal considered a kink. They are just other forms of natural sexual expression, and practically everyone expresses sexuality in one way or another with the exception of truly asexual individuals.
[6332] "When transgender people are kinky, it’s grounds for excommunication from the community." Some can afford no other means of meeting up or socializing online. Kink sites tend to be almost 100% free with some limits on the amount of pics you can post. Also, not all that goes on at these sites are kinky. It is real people chatting with real people. I ought to know I am a member of several of them. If you prick :) me, do I still not bleed. lol
[6441] "Chelsea Manning would be an example of how it can be difficult to discuss issues surrounding transgender prisoners. There are many within the transgender community who did not support the fact that she deliberately and indiscriminately leaked over 700,000 classified documents, and believe her sentence was appropriate. There are others who adamantly support her actions. It is possible to support her right to medical care and to not be placed in solitary confinement without cause as a matter of constitutional human rights without supporting her actions. However, this can be a difficult nuance to explain in a heated discussion. 'Why should she get medical care for committing a crime when I can’t get it despite never having done anything criminal?' some ask." Chelsea served her time. I was proud to support her last election cycle's run for Senator of my state. And it wasn't just because she was a transgender woman. I didn't yet fully identify as a woman when I voted for her. I voted for her because of her political views; hers are very liberal like mine.
[6618] "For all the reasons that Brynn felt compelled to write this book and I felt compelled to work on it, we know that the road before us is long. We also know that sleeping enough, eating healthy foods, exercising, and finding time to reflect, to relax, and to enjoy ourselves is vital for any person to heal and to grow stronger. To reach the finish line, we all need to make the time to do these things for ourselves, as well as encouraging others to engage in the same self-care. We need to recognize that when one person steps back for a bit, another will step forward." This is a very good statement because the need for self care is important for everyone, not only for transgender activists, which the author of the Afterwords was writing about.
From my comments you may think I would not have rated this book as I did. But, there wasn't really a dull spot in the whole book. I would have had the title state “and more” instead of “but were afraid to ask.” This book thoroughly covered the issues that the transgender and gender non-conforming community has to deal with. This included the political and legal situation. It shivers my timbers to think that the courts will be unfriendly to the transgender and gender non-conforming population for sometime to come, so even if legislatures and governors become more friendly the courts could overturn any trans positive legislation.
If you are interested at all in the transgender subject this is a great book. Maybe TMI for some though.
I have some thoughts to share on pieces of the text. Numbers in brackets [] are Kindle locations.
[124] "A transgender man is a person who was seen as female when they were born, but identifies and lives as a man. A transgender woman is someone who was seen as male when they were born, but identifies and lives as a woman." You don't have to be out to be a transgender male or female. From my understanding it is the gender you identify as that is important and is a gender that does not match the sex you were assigned at birth.
[129] “'Transgender people' is preferable in most cases. While 'transgenderism' is used in in a few academic journals, it is most often used by people hostile to transgender people." I didn't know this. I have used it before in my writing at times, and I am certainly not hostile being a transwoman myself.
[490] "Finally, transgender women are women. Being attracted to women doesn’t make you gay." If a woman loves a woman in a sexual way she is a lesbian. Aren't lesbians gay?
[842] Quoting a transwoman of color on dating: ". . . I’ve found that the same class and race bias that people have before they transition are what they keep when they start living as their target gender.'" I feel that being a gender different from the sex assigned at birth doesn't change the person they were after there recognition of their true gender. They are pretty much the same person, besides gender and its expression.
[853] "People in the kink communities are almost by definition open to experimenting sexually. Transgender people are just another variation in the realm of possibilities. From a transgender person’s perspective, though, it can be disconcerting and dehumanizing to be treated more like a rare Pokemon that needs to be caught to complete someone’s collection." Being part of a few online "kink" communities, I don't feel it is kinky in the sense of being abnormal. It can be consider so only in a statistical manner. I am very clear on these sites— respect me or get blocked.
[1148] "We have 40-plus years of neuroscience research basically telling us that gender identity and body image are written early on in development, and sometimes they don’t match.'" But, some only recognize their true gender until late in life. I am one of these women. I had no clear gendr identity as a younger person, although when I look back there were some clues like feeling more comfortable hanging out with girls rather than boys. Later on I did wonder what it would be like to be a woman, but did not think that I actually was.
[1150] "People, however, do not naturally identify as a cat, or as an attack helicopter for that matter." I identify as a cat. Or maybe have a strong desire to be one sometimes. There is a difference between being a cat and being a helicopter. Cats are living, and helicopters are not.
[1531] "What parents of transgender and gender non-conforming children want is the same thing that every other parent wants: for their children to be happy, safe, loved, and protected." Why than are some parents abusive, and why do parents often abandon their child once they come out.
[2675] In a quote of a doctor supporting reparative therapy “If that prerogative is denied, should parents also be denied the right to raise their children as atheists? Or as priests?" Yes. Parents should not choose there children's path in life. Their job is to nurture their children to grow up strong and independent in whatever healthy endeavors they might choose.
[3332] "Transgender identities are often a very alien concept to people. Empathizing with people based simply on their humanity is hard. Having empathy for someone who is very different is even harder." They don't even have to be different, only to be perceived to be different. We are all individuals, hence we are all different with one exception. We are all human beings.
[5686] “We can reach into those spaces too, with authentic representations of transgender people in media, as were shown in TransMilitary, and casting actual transgender people for roles of transgender characters." What about casting transgender actors in cisgender roles. That to me would recognize these actors as like any other actor.
[6265] Writing on things that are still being swapped under the carpet, the author writes: "In another instance, a transgender woman was found to be into kink. This was used to discredit her by people who claimed that, because of it, she wasn’t really transgender." Why is something sexually outside of normal considered a kink. They are just other forms of natural sexual expression, and practically everyone expresses sexuality in one way or another with the exception of truly asexual individuals.
[6332] "When transgender people are kinky, it’s grounds for excommunication from the community." Some can afford no other means of meeting up or socializing online. Kink sites tend to be almost 100% free with some limits on the amount of pics you can post. Also, not all that goes on at these sites are kinky. It is real people chatting with real people. I ought to know I am a member of several of them. If you prick :) me, do I still not bleed. lol
[6441] "Chelsea Manning would be an example of how it can be difficult to discuss issues surrounding transgender prisoners. There are many within the transgender community who did not support the fact that she deliberately and indiscriminately leaked over 700,000 classified documents, and believe her sentence was appropriate. There are others who adamantly support her actions. It is possible to support her right to medical care and to not be placed in solitary confinement without cause as a matter of constitutional human rights without supporting her actions. However, this can be a difficult nuance to explain in a heated discussion. 'Why should she get medical care for committing a crime when I can’t get it despite never having done anything criminal?' some ask." Chelsea served her time. I was proud to support her last election cycle's run for Senator of my state. And it wasn't just because she was a transgender woman. I didn't yet fully identify as a woman when I voted for her. I voted for her because of her political views; hers are very liberal like mine.
[6618] "For all the reasons that Brynn felt compelled to write this book and I felt compelled to work on it, we know that the road before us is long. We also know that sleeping enough, eating healthy foods, exercising, and finding time to reflect, to relax, and to enjoy ourselves is vital for any person to heal and to grow stronger. To reach the finish line, we all need to make the time to do these things for ourselves, as well as encouraging others to engage in the same self-care. We need to recognize that when one person steps back for a bit, another will step forward." This is a very good statement because the need for self care is important for everyone, not only for transgender activists, which the author of the Afterwords was writing about.
From my comments you may think I would not have rated this book as I did. But, there wasn't really a dull spot in the whole book. I would have had the title state “and more” instead of “but were afraid to ask.” This book thoroughly covered the issues that the transgender and gender non-conforming community has to deal with. This included the political and legal situation. It shivers my timbers to think that the courts will be unfriendly to the transgender and gender non-conforming population for sometime to come, so even if legislatures and governors become more friendly the courts could overturn any trans positive legislation.
If you are interested at all in the transgender subject this is a great book. Maybe TMI for some though.
May 3, 2020
One of the reasons I love bookstores, is sometimes you'll unexpectedly find a title catches your eye that you never would have stumbled on otherwise. When I found this book, it basically jumped off the shelf and demanded I take it home. This is a truly fantastic and comprehensive introduction to transgender issues, which I would recommend to pretty much everyone. It's clearly targeted towards a lay audience with little to no familiarity with gender theory or transgender issues. However, though Tannehill always starts chapters by laying out the basics, many topics are addressed in such detail that even more politically savvy or otherwise educated readers may find valuable information. Additionally, many sections include question and answer formats, which are equally useful for both directly addressing questions and misconceptions of readers themselves, as well as providing helpful arguments and explanations for allies looking to educate others.
The topics are wide ranging, from basic discussions of sex vs. gender, to the intricacies of trans healthcare, medical studies, the history and basis of relevant anti-discrimination law, the current political climate and the importance of pop culture representations. I was particularly impressed with the Law chapter myself, which was incredibly detailed, yet accessible and easy to understand. I was a little disappointed with the Gender and Feminism chapter, which was relatively basic, but appreciated that Tannehill made a point of recommending Julia Serano's manifesto, "Whipping Girl," (which has been on my TBR list for years) for a "deeper, graduate-level dive into the relationship between feminism and transgender people." This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in transgender issues, and should be required reading for gender studies students.
The topics are wide ranging, from basic discussions of sex vs. gender, to the intricacies of trans healthcare, medical studies, the history and basis of relevant anti-discrimination law, the current political climate and the importance of pop culture representations. I was particularly impressed with the Law chapter myself, which was incredibly detailed, yet accessible and easy to understand. I was a little disappointed with the Gender and Feminism chapter, which was relatively basic, but appreciated that Tannehill made a point of recommending Julia Serano's manifesto, "Whipping Girl," (which has been on my TBR list for years) for a "deeper, graduate-level dive into the relationship between feminism and transgender people." This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in transgender issues, and should be required reading for gender studies students.
November 14, 2018
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I think this compiles a lot of basic (and further) knowledge that cisgender people might want to know about transgender people. The facts and sources it cites are very US-centric, but the information it gives is helpful and it's nice to have it all conveniently compiled in one book, which I think might lead to more people educating themselves by reading the book instead of having to search for details themselves.
I think this compiles a lot of basic (and further) knowledge that cisgender people might want to know about transgender people. The facts and sources it cites are very US-centric, but the information it gives is helpful and it's nice to have it all conveniently compiled in one book, which I think might lead to more people educating themselves by reading the book instead of having to search for details themselves.
October 4, 2025
This is the most important book to be read in today's political climate.
It is for anyone who is transgender and seeking more information about their rights and their lack of rights.
It is for anyone questioning if they are transgender.
It is for anyone who is an ally or wishes to be one
And most importantly it is for those who are trying to erase transgender people
Although this book was written before Trump's second term as president, it predicted many of the laws against transgender people. It predicted what rights transgender people would lose
But it also gives hope of a more learned, caring and open future, and how we can make sure it becomes a reality.
It is for anyone who is transgender and seeking more information about their rights and their lack of rights.
It is for anyone questioning if they are transgender.
It is for anyone who is an ally or wishes to be one
And most importantly it is for those who are trying to erase transgender people
Although this book was written before Trump's second term as president, it predicted many of the laws against transgender people. It predicted what rights transgender people would lose
But it also gives hope of a more learned, caring and open future, and how we can make sure it becomes a reality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
The 1,000+ endnotes speak to the thorough research and passion that went into this book, but it is absolutely incredible how wrong some of the predictions are about what will happen next in relation to trans issues. Still an excellently informative resource, but maybe the optimism of books like this published pre-pandemic may serve as useful time-capsules for future reference?
July 14, 2024
Good information against anti-trans talking points. Probably a good starting point for people who haven’t read much about trans issues. The book covers the basics and gives solid numbers and statistics.
But it gets sooo repetitive. The author clearly knows a lot about the topic. But she tries to hammer home every single point. In the end I only skimmed some passages that just mentioned the same cases again.
But it gets sooo repetitive. The author clearly knows a lot about the topic. But she tries to hammer home every single point. In the end I only skimmed some passages that just mentioned the same cases again.
March 23, 2025
For folks that are new to being transgender, or are looking for information about transgender matters in the united states, I think this book is the single best resource available. it very succinctly lays out a lot of facts, arguments against misinformation, and history in a surprisingly breezy manner given the seriousness of the subject matter. It paints a blunt but optimistic picture that trans rights have a long way to go, but that we are making great strides.
June 12, 2023
This book was a book club selection from work. I liked a lot of it. The first chapter had a lot of definitions explaining the differences between gender identity versus gender expression (cross-dressing is one example of gender expression), defining gender dysphoria, gender non-conforming, and the differences between transgender and transexual.
It talks about terms that should no longer be used, such as "tranny" and how people continue to ask if people "have gotten the surgery" or other highly personal questions that are nobody's business.
It was enlightening reading about the struggles of dating when you are trans.I simply hadn't thought about it before.
There are troubling sections in the book concerning violence against trans humans.
I read about laws in different states that support gender-affirming medical care and others that are quickly traveling in the opposite direction.
There was a story of someone who was denied their identity after death when the person's parents used their child's birth name in their obituary and insisted on having the death certificate use male instead of female.
The author first had a blog and was encouraged to take the content of her blog and make it into a book. Sometimes it felt a little like it was being patched together. Some parts were repetitive, and some read much more like an informal expression through a blog versus an educational guide in book form. I am not sure if I am explaining this correctly. For example - a very long chapter was presented as a series of "myths," yet it seemed more like a list of anti-trans sentiments she was arguing against. Think of any comment anyone has ever made, and here is the chance to say your piece.
"I’m not outraged, I’m just exasperated and tired. Exasperated that allies missed the point; tired of explaining over and over again how myths, misconceptions, and confirmation bias are a lethal combination to the transgender community."
I can't say I blame her for being frustrated, angry, or tired. It's really rough if you are trans. There are many supporters and at the same time, so many who make hurtful comments due to a lack of empathy and understanding.
"When someone continues to do something deliberately offensive simply because they don’t see it as offensive and hurtful, it exposes a lack of empathy."
I did skim much of the section about the "myths," thought, because I didn't need convincing.
There was a section about media and how transgender people are portrayed in TV and movies and how harmful it is to transgender people. We have seen this all before - consider the early days of TV --not only the lack of representation of black people in television and when they were present, how were they stereotyped? When I was growing up, there was a limited representation of LGBTQ community, and when present, how were they stereotyped? When I read old books or watch older movies, I can't stand how women are portrayed. We have come a long way, but not yet, regarding the representation and positive stereotypes of transgender people.
One explanation was explained this way:
"Eighty-seven percent of Americans know someone who is lesbian or gay, but only 16 percent know a transgender person.1129 Thus media portrayals of transgender people are likely to have a disproportionate effect on how cisgender people perceive a transgender person"
Knowing someone who is transgender makes a HUGE difference. Why? Because now we see that being transgender changes nothing when it comes to being a human... a human who has hopes, dreams, loves and wants to be loved, has fears, likes to laugh, and hurts like any other human.
"the fiercest transgender allies in America are the parents of transgender children. Wayne Maines and Debi Jackson were both conservative, religious Republicans before their children turned out to be transgender girls. Suddenly, with their own loving, beloved, and vulnerable children under attack from the same conservatives they used to agree with, they turned and fought. In the process of loving, accepting, and protecting their children, they were finally able to empathize with transgender people as a whole."
It is really that simple!
It talks about terms that should no longer be used, such as "tranny" and how people continue to ask if people "have gotten the surgery" or other highly personal questions that are nobody's business.
It was enlightening reading about the struggles of dating when you are trans.I simply hadn't thought about it before.
There are troubling sections in the book concerning violence against trans humans.
I read about laws in different states that support gender-affirming medical care and others that are quickly traveling in the opposite direction.
There was a story of someone who was denied their identity after death when the person's parents used their child's birth name in their obituary and insisted on having the death certificate use male instead of female.
The author first had a blog and was encouraged to take the content of her blog and make it into a book. Sometimes it felt a little like it was being patched together. Some parts were repetitive, and some read much more like an informal expression through a blog versus an educational guide in book form. I am not sure if I am explaining this correctly. For example - a very long chapter was presented as a series of "myths," yet it seemed more like a list of anti-trans sentiments she was arguing against. Think of any comment anyone has ever made, and here is the chance to say your piece.
"I’m not outraged, I’m just exasperated and tired. Exasperated that allies missed the point; tired of explaining over and over again how myths, misconceptions, and confirmation bias are a lethal combination to the transgender community."
I can't say I blame her for being frustrated, angry, or tired. It's really rough if you are trans. There are many supporters and at the same time, so many who make hurtful comments due to a lack of empathy and understanding.
"When someone continues to do something deliberately offensive simply because they don’t see it as offensive and hurtful, it exposes a lack of empathy."
I did skim much of the section about the "myths," thought, because I didn't need convincing.
There was a section about media and how transgender people are portrayed in TV and movies and how harmful it is to transgender people. We have seen this all before - consider the early days of TV --not only the lack of representation of black people in television and when they were present, how were they stereotyped? When I was growing up, there was a limited representation of LGBTQ community, and when present, how were they stereotyped? When I read old books or watch older movies, I can't stand how women are portrayed. We have come a long way, but not yet, regarding the representation and positive stereotypes of transgender people.
One explanation was explained this way:
"Eighty-seven percent of Americans know someone who is lesbian or gay, but only 16 percent know a transgender person.1129 Thus media portrayals of transgender people are likely to have a disproportionate effect on how cisgender people perceive a transgender person"
Knowing someone who is transgender makes a HUGE difference. Why? Because now we see that being transgender changes nothing when it comes to being a human... a human who has hopes, dreams, loves and wants to be loved, has fears, likes to laugh, and hurts like any other human.
"the fiercest transgender allies in America are the parents of transgender children. Wayne Maines and Debi Jackson were both conservative, religious Republicans before their children turned out to be transgender girls. Suddenly, with their own loving, beloved, and vulnerable children under attack from the same conservatives they used to agree with, they turned and fought. In the process of loving, accepting, and protecting their children, they were finally able to empathize with transgender people as a whole."
It is really that simple!
July 2, 2020
This is a very well researched and thorough book about the plight transgender people face in the U.S. and it absolutely obliterates the hateful and ignorant arguments bigots like J.K. Rowling make. With this book at hand, you will NEVER lose a debate with a transgender bigot, even if the bigot refuses to acknowledge your victory.
All that said, this book is not "sexy." It doesn't answer all the questions you have about transgender sex or transition surgeries or other questions you might actually be afraid to ask. Because of that, I think the title is a bit misleading and gives a false impression of the topics covered.
As noted above the book is thorough, but it's also very repetitive. It reads almost like essays placed back-to-back, and when the topics overlap, which is often, information previously discussed is repeated over and over. This gets tiresome and draws out the length of the book needlessly.
All that said, this book is not "sexy." It doesn't answer all the questions you have about transgender sex or transition surgeries or other questions you might actually be afraid to ask. Because of that, I think the title is a bit misleading and gives a false impression of the topics covered.
As noted above the book is thorough, but it's also very repetitive. It reads almost like essays placed back-to-back, and when the topics overlap, which is often, information previously discussed is repeated over and over. This gets tiresome and draws out the length of the book needlessly.
January 12, 2019
REVIEW TO COME ON MY BLOG (Book Rita) ON JAN
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I went into it not knowing what to expect and I must say that I've been pleasantly surprised.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trans (But Were Afraid to Ask) is a genius book. It is a well-researched look at transgender experiences and issues. The author, Brynn Tannehill, did such a fantastic job with the research. Her voice is great, straight to the point, and hooked me from page one. Even though this book is full of references and is a more academic look at the transgender community, it's such an addicting read. I couldn't stop reading it!
Here are just some of the aspects that made me LOVE this book:
1. Well carried out research — Seriously, SO MUCH RESEARCH went into writing this book. Brynn Tannehill references a thousand (and I do mean 1,000) studies/articles throughout her book. You never feel like she is making up statistics because you can literally check the sources out for yourself. I feel like this is such a great way to reach people who are on the fence about trans issues for a number of reasons. Who can argue with statistics and demographic studies???
2. Sober, yet engaging voice — If you've read other nonfiction novels that present statistics and studies (especially in areas you're not familiar with), you know how hard it can be to keep motivated to read. Well, don't worry — Tannehill's writing will not bore you out. You can really tell that transgender issues are super important to her in the way she writes. She presents data but also puts the results in a humane perspective. This book is anything BUT boring or dull.
3. She writes of so many issues! — One of the things I loved the most about this book was how it was structured. Each chapter approaches a different issue. From what transgender is to how trans people are represented in the media, you will find a plethora of issues being explored. Plus, they're so organized that reading each chapter is very elucidating and never confusing.
4. Acknowledgment of different experiences — This is a point the author really insists on. There is no universal and monolithic trans experience. So many other factors come into play — be it race, socioeconomics, political, gender, education, geography... I loved this perspective.
5. The inclusion of personal accounts from various sources — This book truly feels inclusive to the transgender community because it also compiles several personal accounts given by multiple people. It brings personal voices to the table and add the humane factor everyone loves to see from works written/produced about a specific group of people — especially one that has been oppressed.
I am so excited to share with all of you the review on my blog. This beautiful, well-written and well-researched book really needs to be on the hands of thousands and thousands of people. I really do hope to see it succeed and wish Brynn all the best in her life.
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I went into it not knowing what to expect and I must say that I've been pleasantly surprised.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trans (But Were Afraid to Ask) is a genius book. It is a well-researched look at transgender experiences and issues. The author, Brynn Tannehill, did such a fantastic job with the research. Her voice is great, straight to the point, and hooked me from page one. Even though this book is full of references and is a more academic look at the transgender community, it's such an addicting read. I couldn't stop reading it!
Here are just some of the aspects that made me LOVE this book:
1. Well carried out research — Seriously, SO MUCH RESEARCH went into writing this book. Brynn Tannehill references a thousand (and I do mean 1,000) studies/articles throughout her book. You never feel like she is making up statistics because you can literally check the sources out for yourself. I feel like this is such a great way to reach people who are on the fence about trans issues for a number of reasons. Who can argue with statistics and demographic studies???
2. Sober, yet engaging voice — If you've read other nonfiction novels that present statistics and studies (especially in areas you're not familiar with), you know how hard it can be to keep motivated to read. Well, don't worry — Tannehill's writing will not bore you out. You can really tell that transgender issues are super important to her in the way she writes. She presents data but also puts the results in a humane perspective. This book is anything BUT boring or dull.
3. She writes of so many issues! — One of the things I loved the most about this book was how it was structured. Each chapter approaches a different issue. From what transgender is to how trans people are represented in the media, you will find a plethora of issues being explored. Plus, they're so organized that reading each chapter is very elucidating and never confusing.
4. Acknowledgment of different experiences — This is a point the author really insists on. There is no universal and monolithic trans experience. So many other factors come into play — be it race, socioeconomics, political, gender, education, geography... I loved this perspective.
5. The inclusion of personal accounts from various sources — This book truly feels inclusive to the transgender community because it also compiles several personal accounts given by multiple people. It brings personal voices to the table and add the humane factor everyone loves to see from works written/produced about a specific group of people — especially one that has been oppressed.
I am so excited to share with all of you the review on my blog. This beautiful, well-written and well-researched book really needs to be on the hands of thousands and thousands of people. I really do hope to see it succeed and wish Brynn all the best in her life.
November 3, 2022
I did get a lot out of this book that I was looking for. It covered a good range of topics and provided a lot of insight into the experiences of transgender people. I certainly feel like I understand a lot more after reading this book - the broad, cohesive structure nicely rounds off an introduction to transgender experiences.
I grew up learning about the LGB part from a positive perspective, but I've felt like I had a huge blind spot for the T experiences. I never saw anything wrong with being transgender, and I think I assumed my general LGBTQ+ knowledge was enough. But I have had a few conversations where someone said something didn't sit with me right and I didn't know how to argue with it. Then I was in a very real conversation with someone I cared about and I realised I just didn't have anything to draw upon. It was easier to empathise with LGB experiences, because we all have various experiences with love and relationships. But I just didn't have that with trans experiences, I'd never experienced gender dysphoria, so I just couldn't really imagine what that would feel like.
This book did help with taking me from my general sense of queer experiences, to actually having some genuine trans-written perspectives. I feel like I could have an actually coherent conversation about it now. I love that the book is well researched, there is so much in the end notes to continue on to if you're interested in a topic. I learned a lot more than I expected in a pretty short non-fiction book.
My biggest frustration with this book if how explicitly US-centric it is. The title and the description of the book did not prepare me for how much this book would focus on specifically American topics - US law, US politics, US religion, and US military, made up 40% of the book. While these topics are important, they just don't apply to non-American audiences in the same way. I felt my eyes glaze over again and again as I saw another string of American law bill titles in American states being pushed by various American organisations. As a non-American I could have used a much more condensed version of these topics without all the specifics.
Now this probably annoyed me more than it would have, just because I wasn't prepared for it based on the description. I really was expecting a more general perspective, a more personal perspective. And of course, ideally, an overview of the Australian (or at least international) landscape.
I'm super glad I read it, I just know I'll be looking for more Australian perspectives in the future.
I grew up learning about the LGB part from a positive perspective, but I've felt like I had a huge blind spot for the T experiences. I never saw anything wrong with being transgender, and I think I assumed my general LGBTQ+ knowledge was enough. But I have had a few conversations where someone said something didn't sit with me right and I didn't know how to argue with it. Then I was in a very real conversation with someone I cared about and I realised I just didn't have anything to draw upon. It was easier to empathise with LGB experiences, because we all have various experiences with love and relationships. But I just didn't have that with trans experiences, I'd never experienced gender dysphoria, so I just couldn't really imagine what that would feel like.
This book did help with taking me from my general sense of queer experiences, to actually having some genuine trans-written perspectives. I feel like I could have an actually coherent conversation about it now. I love that the book is well researched, there is so much in the end notes to continue on to if you're interested in a topic. I learned a lot more than I expected in a pretty short non-fiction book.
My biggest frustration with this book if how explicitly US-centric it is. The title and the description of the book did not prepare me for how much this book would focus on specifically American topics - US law, US politics, US religion, and US military, made up 40% of the book. While these topics are important, they just don't apply to non-American audiences in the same way. I felt my eyes glaze over again and again as I saw another string of American law bill titles in American states being pushed by various American organisations. As a non-American I could have used a much more condensed version of these topics without all the specifics.
Now this probably annoyed me more than it would have, just because I wasn't prepared for it based on the description. I really was expecting a more general perspective, a more personal perspective. And of course, ideally, an overview of the Australian (or at least international) landscape.
I'm super glad I read it, I just know I'll be looking for more Australian perspectives in the future.
January 29, 2019
Brynn Tannehill’s book truly lives up to the title, Everything You Wanted to Know About Trans (But Were Afraid to Ask). Full of questions, answers and explanations as well as statistics to back up the information, the reader is sure to satisfy their curiosity and develop some empathy for the transgender community. A leading activist, Tannehill dispels many myths surrounding this mostly misunderstood group which faces an uphill battle of acceptance. A part of the LBGTA community, transgendered individuals are often specifically targeted, sometimes finding themselves in dangerous situations. Books such as this are helpful in educating others and hopefully will lead to a meaningful discourse resulting in a greater understanding by those who are cisgendered (people who identify with the biological sex of their birth). It also will be helpful to those who have questions about their own gender identity and wonder what the future holds for them.
Of concern is that there are too many in society who cannot accept this reality and continue to discriminate as witnessed by the walking back of the legality of transgendered recruits in the military due to President Trump’s transphobic policies and the rubber stamp from the current conservative Supreme Court.
It is evident that Tannehill thoroughly researched this book and its 400+ pages include such gems as the portrayal of the transgendered in the media and personal accounts highlighting individual reactions to their experiences. With an extensive bibliography, the reader can find additional resources to peruse, although the thoroughness of this book makes it a must read for anyone interested in learning more about the transgendered community. Libraries should keep a copy of this title with their reference books to use as a resource as well as several copies to be used for circulation for its patrons.
Five stars and a thank you to Edelweiss for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review also appears on my blog, Gotta Read:
https://ellenk59.wordpress.com/2019/0...
Of concern is that there are too many in society who cannot accept this reality and continue to discriminate as witnessed by the walking back of the legality of transgendered recruits in the military due to President Trump’s transphobic policies and the rubber stamp from the current conservative Supreme Court.
It is evident that Tannehill thoroughly researched this book and its 400+ pages include such gems as the portrayal of the transgendered in the media and personal accounts highlighting individual reactions to their experiences. With an extensive bibliography, the reader can find additional resources to peruse, although the thoroughness of this book makes it a must read for anyone interested in learning more about the transgendered community. Libraries should keep a copy of this title with their reference books to use as a resource as well as several copies to be used for circulation for its patrons.
Five stars and a thank you to Edelweiss for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review also appears on my blog, Gotta Read:
https://ellenk59.wordpress.com/2019/0...
November 22, 2018
Transphobic myths debunked, replaced with well-researched and considered writing
Author Brynn Tannehill is a leading transactivist and essayist, having written for The New York Time, The Huffington Post, Bilerico, Slate, Salon, USA Today, The Advocate, LGBTQ Nation, and The New Civil Rights Movement as a columnist. This is her first published book and will most assuredly become the primary resource of information for transgender information – both for transgender people and for their families and friends - and university sociology/psychology studies.
Pay attention to the well-selected title of this book and the content is obvious. Brynn’s writing style is accessible, accurate, well researched and studied, and informative form the ground up. She includes ‘What does transgender mean?’ and then gradually offers insights about growing up trans, dating and sex, medical and mental health, and all the debates around gender and feminism. She carefully debunks all the transphobic myths and offers references of all types to make her delivery wholly credible.
We are in a transition period when gender issues are more openly discussed: television, novels, and movies have been responsible for increasing public awareness, But what Brynn does with all the current data and milieu is offer strong support on every level. This is a fine book on every level, and one that likely will be wining literary and sociologic awards!
Author Brynn Tannehill is a leading transactivist and essayist, having written for The New York Time, The Huffington Post, Bilerico, Slate, Salon, USA Today, The Advocate, LGBTQ Nation, and The New Civil Rights Movement as a columnist. This is her first published book and will most assuredly become the primary resource of information for transgender information – both for transgender people and for their families and friends - and university sociology/psychology studies.
Pay attention to the well-selected title of this book and the content is obvious. Brynn’s writing style is accessible, accurate, well researched and studied, and informative form the ground up. She includes ‘What does transgender mean?’ and then gradually offers insights about growing up trans, dating and sex, medical and mental health, and all the debates around gender and feminism. She carefully debunks all the transphobic myths and offers references of all types to make her delivery wholly credible.
We are in a transition period when gender issues are more openly discussed: television, novels, and movies have been responsible for increasing public awareness, But what Brynn does with all the current data and milieu is offer strong support on every level. This is a fine book on every level, and one that likely will be wining literary and sociologic awards!
February 3, 2019
It is LGBT History Month in the UK so it seemed like this would be helpful to knock a book off my to read list. This book reflects what it says on the tin: everything you wanted to know about transgender people. Author Tannehill gives us history, answers questions, breaks down myths, cites statistics on a very broad range of topics regarding transgender issues.
That's basically it. It covers the basics such as what it means to be transgender and terms to medical myths and misconceptions to representation in media and entertainment, etc. One thing I definitely thought was very helpful was that it was a breakup of styles: some books similar to this genre "Everything You Want to Know..." will go in just a Q&A format or just history with long blocks of text, etc. whereas Tannehill broke it up a bit and I thought that was a good choice on her part.
However, the book is US-centric and sometimes my eyes glazed over at the long historical sections. It's also a book that's for breadth rather than depth (but YMMV on this). If you're new to the topic this may be a good resource but I can also easily see this as being far too overwhelming for others.
Library borrow was best for me.
That's basically it. It covers the basics such as what it means to be transgender and terms to medical myths and misconceptions to representation in media and entertainment, etc. One thing I definitely thought was very helpful was that it was a breakup of styles: some books similar to this genre "Everything You Want to Know..." will go in just a Q&A format or just history with long blocks of text, etc. whereas Tannehill broke it up a bit and I thought that was a good choice on her part.
However, the book is US-centric and sometimes my eyes glazed over at the long historical sections. It's also a book that's for breadth rather than depth (but YMMV on this). If you're new to the topic this may be a good resource but I can also easily see this as being far too overwhelming for others.
Library borrow was best for me.
November 26, 2018
This book replaces the confusing and conflicting opinions and "facts" about transgender people you see in the media with clear, scientifically based information that is thoroughly footnoted and referenced. It has everything from a chapter on "what is transgender?" and transgender myths and misconceptions , useful for those who don't know much about the topic, all the way to a detailed chapter on transgender legal policy, transgender people and medicine, and one on transgender people and politics, and another that dives into the intersection of transgender people and feminism. All in an easily readable and engaging style, all impressively cited and footnoted for those people (like me) who like to go down the reference rabbithole.
It's a great book for parents and friends of trans kids, people teaching gender studies classes, or just people who want to educate themselves a bit more about the topic.
It's a great book for parents and friends of trans kids, people teaching gender studies classes, or just people who want to educate themselves a bit more about the topic.
March 16, 2019
This is an incredible resource for people who are unfamiliar with trans issues or people with a general understanding who want to learn more. Brynn Tannehill puts a massive amount of well-researched information into a single volume. She explores common myths about transgender people, explains why media stereotypes are so detrimental to the fight for trans rights, and exposes the dishonesty and shoddy science behind anti-trans talking points.
The legal and religious chapters are especially comprehensive. The author explains the current state of trans rights in law and the courts, as well as cases that have been or are likely to be used as precedent in the future. She also explains the role of the evangelical right in crafting President Trump's anti-trans military policy, which is directly contradictory to the recommendations from within the military.
The legal and religious chapters are especially comprehensive. The author explains the current state of trans rights in law and the courts, as well as cases that have been or are likely to be used as precedent in the future. She also explains the role of the evangelical right in crafting President Trump's anti-trans military policy, which is directly contradictory to the recommendations from within the military.
August 29, 2020
Every cis person should read this book. Don't be dissuaded by the size--it's perfectly readable, though the end notes are well over a hundred pages, and the index is another twenty. This book is legit and everything in it is backed up by solid research.
There is a fair amount of repetition, but frankly I appreciated it because there's so much information overall. Each chapter covers another aspect of life (law, "(bad) science," media and popular culture, military, medicine/mental health, etc.) and Tannehill is thorough. I highly recommend it for everyone who is new to the concept of transgenderism all the way to people with moderate knowledge. I'd even go so far as to say that individual chapters can be informative for people who already know a lot.
There is a fair amount of repetition, but frankly I appreciated it because there's so much information overall. Each chapter covers another aspect of life (law, "(bad) science," media and popular culture, military, medicine/mental health, etc.) and Tannehill is thorough. I highly recommend it for everyone who is new to the concept of transgenderism all the way to people with moderate knowledge. I'd even go so far as to say that individual chapters can be informative for people who already know a lot.
August 5, 2021
This book was so interesting. I took my time reading it to make sure I didn't miss any important parts, and I'm glad I did. There was so much that I needed to learn that I did learn, and I also gained insight on how to pursue even more knowledge.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"There has been a narrative for years that visibility is what would finally allow transgender people to be accepted. Tell our stories, be heard, and then people might start believing we're real people. GLAAD board member Jennifer Boylan has frequently quoted her mother as saying, 'It is impossible to hate anyone whose story you know.' She's right, but it is not enough to accept people, and therein lies the rub."
-Brynn Tannehill, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trans
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"There has been a narrative for years that visibility is what would finally allow transgender people to be accepted. Tell our stories, be heard, and then people might start believing we're real people. GLAAD board member Jennifer Boylan has frequently quoted her mother as saying, 'It is impossible to hate anyone whose story you know.' She's right, but it is not enough to accept people, and therein lies the rub."
-Brynn Tannehill, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Trans
April 3, 2019
Although I am almost 65 years old, the sexual world I am aware of (boys/girls, boys/boys, and girls/girls) was turned upside down after reading this book. It opened my eyes to the sexual diversity that exists in our world, and hopefully opened my heart to a greater awareness. My political views are somewhat conservative, but I now have a new perspective as the author described the effect of certain legal decisions on this community. I plan trainings for non-instructional staff in my public school district, and this book educated me so that I can have more knowledgeable discussions with school staff.
I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss.
I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss.
November 17, 2022
'Everything' does not mean to literally mean everything. A comprehensive insight into transgender issues that would be much more impactful with a hard core editing pass. Relevant topics were frequently repeated and entirely too much of the book was spent on calling out anti-transgender public figures in regards to specific events. While this is extremely helpful in shedding light on understanding how to spot and avoid biased rhetoric, it at times felt overly punitive, making the beneficial content within these chapters feel less critically informative. Would love to see this revised with editing and reissued as it is a much needed learning resource.
July 11, 2023
I honestly couldn't get past chapter 3. As a trans man I felt like not just my experiences were not being discussed but all other experiences that were not transgender woman. I understand that they are a huge target of hate and being murdered but when the book is supposed to be about all of us I found it very one sided. It even tried to say trans men don't get as much prurient interest on gay dating scene which is a lie and an issue all of us face and where I stopped. The star in the title shouldn't be but were afraid to ask but if you are a trans woman and want to ask. I wanted to finish this book but just couldn't with the way the information was being presented
October 11, 2019
Seemed like a good start for a cisgender person like me. I'm sure there's much more to learn in a macro sense, not to mention that the full spectrum of individual experiences cannot be captured by one book. But it was very worthwhile for me, especially so that I could avoid asking trans people in my life basic questions they are likely tired of answering. Often redundant, but I know that was done purposely to cover all the bases on each issue and dispel misconceptions.
February 9, 2022
It is a really good intro to trans issues. It definitely has answers to questions I do not want to answer personally. This would especially be a good resource for families of younger trans kids or just anyone in general. This is especially good for those who need case studies and research to help understand things
July 15, 2024
I was looking for a book to recommend to people who have beginner questions on transgender issues. This is not it. This reads more like a textbook. So much great information, but it really felt like she wanted to cover every possible angle. I guess the title does say "Everything." So if you are looking for intro stuff read chapter one Trans 101. It's perfect for the beginner.
March 26, 2019
Everyone should read this. Very thorough in its historical presentation and modern analysis, utilizes a lot of resources, and not overly academic. Anyone can pick this up and get a solid understanding of transgender people and the issues facing them today.
January 18, 2022
Some of the facts when it came to transphobia and laws even in the UK absolutely broke my heart. It’s usual if you’re newly out to learn about the trans community and fears faced when coming out and how to tackle them.
February 11, 2022
Informative and lots of bullet-pointed, accessible information. I had to rate it 4/5 though as it’s mainly focused on the U.S.A so not entirely relevant to the U.K regarding political and legal information.
Still incredibly interesting and worth a read.
Still incredibly interesting and worth a read.
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