Man Enough To Be A Woman: The Autobiography of Jayne County

by Jayne County, Rupert Smith

Life story of the queen of shock 'n roll--the world's first punk transsexual.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, LGBT, Queer, Gender

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Alex Sarll]

There are definitely more trans memoirs lately, a fact which somehow gets presented as a front in the culture wars despite their mostly coming down to how it would be nice to be able to go to the loo without everyone freaking out about it, or the overall preferability of surgery to suicide. Compare and contrast this, which came out 25 years back to minimal fuss, even though County's life has been all about the deliberate provocation, from winding up the straights as a street queen to releasing a song called If You Don't Wanna Fuck Me, Baby, Fuck Off, and appearing in a play where John Wayne gives birth anally before everyone proceeds to kick the baby around the stage. Bloody hell, though, what a life, starting out as a sissy in hick town Georgia where family arguments were settled with shotguns, before ending up in New York (while aiming for San Francisco) in time for Stonewall and Woodstock - though both come off pretty bathetically here. Interludes in London and Berlin follow; like Losing My Edge with trashier make-up, she was there: rooming with Warhol superstars (not as glamorous as it sounds); knowing Debbie Harry when she was just the stoned waitress at Max's; appearing in Derek Jarman's Jubilee (boring, but at least he paid her twice); even a bonding moment with Pat Butcher. Her taste in men is fairly awful (Rod Stewart, Tony Parsons, footballers: yes please; Bowie, no ta), and most of the scenes she's been part of sound absolutely exhausting, but encountering them at this remove gets you the reflected excitement minus the threat to life and limb. It's interesting, though perhaps not surprising, how far her sense of self differs from standard current thinking on trans identity; she's still fine with being Wayne sometimes, and not that fussed about 'he' or 'she', though confesses in a 2021 epilogue to a bafflement with 'they' which fits her age more readily than her career. And I wonder if she still stands by her nineties creationism now she's more actively engaged in campaigning against evangelical Republican bullshit, or if that was always partly there to wind up readers congratulating themselves about their open-mindedness regarding the other stuff? You can see why the publishers opted for "If you stay alive long enough, people eventually catch up" as the back cover quote, selling County as trailblazer, but really her path has always been off at its own idiosyncratic tangent even to the rest of the open-minded, and so it remains. As for the rest, well, as she observed in the nineties: "Only a few years ago, in the mid-80s, people were handing out fliers at the Gay Pride march saying 'Get these drag queens off our march!' It's changed now, but it'll change back again." Probably for the best that I didn't read this on its original release; that would have seemed ridiculously pessimistic back when I still believed in progress.

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sort of a catchy enough read, though not especially well-written. I started reading this on my pal Zoe's recommendation because she said it had some great details about what it was like growing up young and queer in the deep south during the early '60s, and somewhat reluctantly trudged through the rest of the book. I'm not a musical fan of Jayne County's, though I'm happy she existed and did what she did, and there are much better histories of the NYC and London punk scenes than this. As well, I was reading this at the same time as Quentin Crisp's delightful The Naked Civil Servant, which is infinitely witty and charming on every page, so the plainness of the writing really stuck out. That said, there's interesting-enough details about the queer and trans scenes in New York, London, and Berlin during the 60s, 70s, and 80s to keep you reading if that interests you (as it does me). Lots of details on the minutia of County's musical career, which doesn't interest me much, as doesn't the inevitable and predictable drama of many boyfriends and lovers. But descriptions of the scenes at the times are priceless. Not so cool is the sort of amoral sefishness that sometimes lurks behind deep camp, as displayed when County describes crossing a picket line at her workplace in NYC in the sixties and thinks she can excuse that by noting how fabulous she looked doing it. It's very much a product of who she is and was-- not necessarily the first person I'd want to hang out with. But having had an interesting enough life, she's worth spending a few minutes with for the sake of her stories.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2019 Own voices: 22. Non-binary or Transgender
2019 Monthly Challenges - April: Feeling fraternal: 6. Sisters Not Just Cisters: Read a book about transgender rights or by a transgender author

When I came to terms with the idea of being truly transexual, of living in between the sexes as opposed to being a 'sex change', then I started to get over those problems. I realised that people are never going to fully accept the idea of what I am, and so I learnt how to live in the real world in a sort of disguise that I could feel happy with but that wouldn't freak people out.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Boy George, Phranc, Falling James, Marilyn Manson and various other gender-benders, there was Wayne/Jayne County (there were also the New York Dolls, but, as they were hetero boys in drag, they will be raved about elsewhere...).

Sadly, Wayne/Jayne spent many years out of the spotlight, since, despite three classic albums (and lesser ones on the dancey side that I have not located), s/he had no chart success, being 'ahead of her time'. Fortunately, s/he is making a comeback, what with the release of a best-of (reviewed in Things That Spin), a new album ("Deviation", and pretty good) and this autobiography.

She was born in Dallas, Georgia, around 1947, as Wayne Rogers. Despite being a popular plaything for the het boys in her hometown, she was very unhappy in her poor, religiously fanatical family and fled for a variety of big cities. The book is stuffed with examples of her adventures in Atlanta and New York, including a role in the Stonewall Riots.

She happened to come to the attention of the Warhol camp and went to England to star in Pork (having written and/or starred in NYC plays with the likes of Patti Smith), arriving in time to see some of the beginning alternative music movement there. As a fan of protopunk (i.e. the Velvets, Electric Prunes, etc.) from way back, and a columnist for Rock Scene, she decided to get involved herself.

After a disastrous managerial flirtation with David Bowie's Mainman company (and a creepy attempt at flirtation by Bowie that is described in the book), she set out on her own with bands The Backstreet Boys (no, not them) and Electric Chairs, combining garage rock/punk riffs with musings on sex, men, religion and politics, and the rest was herstory.

For such a short book, it is simply packed with attitude and information. For punk fans, any and all queers (especially those who think queens are a liability) and those who don't fit in, it is an absorbing read.

[China · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether you’re into the music or not, this is a juicy read—fun, tragic, exciting stories about being trans in the American South, NYC, London and Berlin. Jayne County offers some great insight into why she opted not to fully transition, and speaks matter-of-factly about ending friendships, rent boys, prostitution, and being broke. Loved reading about her relationships with people and bands like the Police, Andy Warhol, Angie and David Bowie, and RuPaul (!) as well. What I loved most, though, is that you pick up on the crazy, and Jayne wouldn’t dare deny that the crazy is there.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the life of Jayne County, whom I saw with the Electric Chairs when she was still Wayne, 44 years ago at a poorly attended Kinema Ballroom gig (less than fifty turned up). Despite the lack of punters that night she still put on a top show. She has mellowed with age, although she has not become dull. A warts and all autobiography and all the better for it.

[Christopher Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shamelessly captivating read, could not wait to pick up this book when the chance arose , thank you Jayne County ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Theo Hendrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s plenty of reasons to pick up this book - especially if you’re interested in a queer history of subculture (albeit one person’s perspective) or if you’re a fan of County’s music.

But… I can’t shake the fact that County comes across as a bad person in a lot of these stories. Crossing picket lines, getting straight men drunk to try and bed them, stalking her exes, assaulting their new partners, misgendering people who piss her off, outing people for money….

On the other hand, the epilogue (written 25 years after the original book was published) does tidy things up nicely and give insight into an older Jayne, one who has mellowed out and self-reflected. I wish her and her many cats and her paintings many joyous years to come.

I’m not here to ‘cancel’ County. I will always deeply admire and respect her for paving the way for trans people in punk. She is truly a pioneer and a trailblazer and deserves every ounce of credit for that. But maybe this is just the book equivalent of “never meet your idols.”

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I bought this book at the university bookstore when it first came out, but I never got around to it. I moved it with me probably 6 or 7 apartments intending to read it some day. Recently I saw that it was available on Audible! I totally recommend the audiobook read by Miss Jayne County herself. It's incredibly fun to hear this rough older southern queen/lady tell her life story. There are things that on the printed page might offend those who wish to be offended, but when you hear her blunt assessment of people and situations in her own voice, you know the warmth and experience are there and that she means no disrespect to anyone. She's a VERY live and let live type of person.

She talks of her upbringing in the South and how everyone in her family leaned towards rock and roll when they weren't leaning on Jesus. She talks about relocating to NYC and being a part of the Stonewall riots, becoming adjacent to the Warhol Factory, being a regular at Max's Kansas City, performing at La Mama, living and working with Jackie Curtis and Holly Woodlawn, and being part of the NYC punk scene, or the scene that came right before that. Her adventures take her to London, Berlin, Israel, and there's always circling back to NYC and the South.

She talks candidly about the politicization of her gender non-conformity within the gay community, often being the victim of gay men's internalized homophobia and their need for respectability in the straight world's eyes. Not that the rock scene was totally open to a trans performer either, especially as the 1970s waned. There can be a lot of macho posturing and at that time there were a lot of unhinged female groupies, and both groups became more paranoid as Wayne became Jayne, took hormones, and got breasts. Jayne also had a bit of an identity crisis at this time, dressing as a secretary onstage, albeit a trashy one. She experienced a lot of life, got stones thrown at her by Palestinian kids in Jerusalem, experienced life in Berlin years before and years after the Wall fell, and returned to the Stonewall Inn as a tourist destination. It was a fun listen, I totally recommend.

[Amelia]

Trans punk star Jayne County has been part of some of the most celebrated creative scenes of the 20th century, and in her newly republished memoir Man Enough To Be A Woman she takes us on a wild ride through them.

From 'wrecking' with drag queens of 60s Atlanta, to hanging with hippies at Woodstock, acting in Warhol's Factory plays, and rioting at Stonewall, to being part of the New York glam/punk scene with her band the Electric Chairs, and queering the British punk scene, County's done it all and relates it in an amusing gossip-laden, star-studded tale of excess. I loved the snark about Debbie Harry, Sting and Bowie!

There's some terrible 70s politics involved which I think reflects the very limited political ideology of the white glam rock and punk scenes that doesn't get much further than 'let's shock the normies". But it's also a fascinating look at evolving understandings of sexuality and gender through time, and how even the artists that thought they were subversive outsiders ultimately rejected County's transness.

This was written in the 90s and its really interesting to read County's additional reflections in the epilogue 25 years later as she tries to make sense of her life from current queer perspectives (and is shocked at her youthful antics!) If you're a fan of music history or queer history this is a memoir to look out for.

[Rhianon Hâf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read - to say the least.

Originally published in 1995, sometimes the original publishing date isn’t relevant, in this case it really is. I would 100% suggest getting the newer edition with the afterword and paying particular attention to it.

The language used is outdated but, Jayne lived through the 60’s, where language hadn’t evolved as much as it has now, she covers this in the afterword BUT if the ‘T’ slur for trans people offends you, this book probably isn’t for you.

It was a difficult read. Very vulgar. Very intense. However, it was really eye opening. Jayne County is considered the pioneer of trans people in rock n roll. The book starts out with her as a youngster with a severely religious mother in the country in Atlanta. It covers her time as a ‘wreaker’ queen. As someone confused. And her coming to terms with the idea that she’s a ‘transsexual.’

If you’re curious about queer history and pioneers then I would recommend this book, no doubt. However, if you’re of a newer generation / easily upset by language then stay far away. It’s very punk. Very punk.

Thank you Jayne County, for telling your truth so unfiltered and raw.

[David Cobraestilo · Rating 3 out of 5]

La bio de Jayne Coyne es ‘estar en el sitio correcto, en el momento adecuado’. Es un no parar de anécdotas de una persona que ha estado en todas partes cuando había que estar: De Stonewall a Berlín, de Londres a NY cuando nacía el punk. Y un constante name dropping; ahí tocaba Marc (Shaiman), la camarera era una rubia un poco ordinaria llamada Debbie (Harry), siempre venía a verme un chico maquillado hasta arriba llamado Pete (Burns). Y el tipo de cosas que tiene que contar una persona que ha estado con Bowie, Sting, RuPaul y las travestis callejeras más callejeras del mundo.

Como guinda cuenta la historia de como navega la propia Jayne por el género, lo difícil que es ser una mujer en el mundo del rock y también un relato desmitificado de cómo vivió Stonewall pero también reconociendo su importancia como narrativa para la lucha de los derechos LGTBIQ.

Al final, no hay nada mas punki y contracultural que ser una misma. Y como le decía Holly Woodlawn “da igual lo que seas con tal de que estés fabulosa”.

[beef · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many people listed, and I didn’t understand all the pop culture references and there was just a lot to follow.

But, I got this book to learn more about the history of LGBTQ+ rights and how stonewall occurred and the aids crisis, I did learn more and am grateful for that. However, I ended up learning about how a transgender person views themself in a way I haven’t thought of before. Do they want to completely erase who they were before? Do they want to restart? Do they want to keep it the same and just transition? Do they want to fully transition? Why?

These are all questions that are individual to everyone, that’s the thing, maybe you know and maybe you don’t, it was a very intriguing section of the book and I enjoyed the new perspective it gave me.

I also am shocked at just how much Jayne county did in her life, even though she mentioned that she did much more and just didn’t detail it, is very very impressive to me.

[Pickles LaVey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book filled in some gaps that are often overlooked in punk rock and queer history...

An interesting insight into the life of Jayne County, a trans woman and her experiences with the hippy movement, Southern Drag, New York Experimental Theater, Warhol Factory, Berlin Cabaret & Sex Work, Glam Rock, Punk Rock, Shock Rock, Gender exploration and public transitioning in a time when that was NOT a welcome topic in most of these communities.

Jayne is definatly not always a good person, but I don't think she tries to make her self seem free of self judgment or consequence. It's not the most eloquently written or cohesive book, but I enjoyed it. Many interesting stories from a very unique perspective.

[Paul Forster · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's undeniable Jayne County is a trailblazer and icon of trans punk (and much, much more). I'm humbled by her confrontational genesis and ability to be queer in the face of the cis hetero patriarchy.

This book, however, feels like a miss. I really enjoyed the hurried tone of their early years in Georgia, but the hurried tone continues through the book and leaves it all a little flat. Excellent pacing but it's maybe more blinkered than I had hoped, and much less vulnerable or self aware, too. I don't really feel like we get a 3D picture of Jayne, which is hard to do for any one human in a 260 page book.

It promises so much but delivers less and less as you progress.

[aela · Rating 5 out of 5]

i don't know if any modern person's biography has ever gone through this many cultural changes in one go let alone play as large an influence in them as jayne has. reading this actually makes me ashamed i didn't know about her before seeing as how she's had at least the occasional brush with most of my favourite artists from the decades discussed. the writing is gritty, fun, and honest (which was definitely helpful because i didn't really see eye to eye with her on certain matters but could at least understand where she's coming from).

[N.Barber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time I’ve read this - the first time was just after it was published, which made me appreciate that there’s another 20+ years of tales to add - might have to get hold of the more recent biography for that, but Wayne/Jayne’s laid back reading and “egal” attitude to a seriously unique life made it worthwhile. It’s a fabulously (sic) entertaining read and if you ever got to see Wayne/Jayne perform (I did on a few occasions) you’ll appreciate that the book is as entertaining as those shows.

[Aria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd have given it a better rating but there were long sections wherein various plays and stage acts were rehashed in detail. They dragged on forever (not a pun). I have recommended the audiobook to someone, but I recommended they skip all the theater stuff b/c it just isn't worth it. The rest of the book I quite enjoyed, however. I am appreciative the author chose to read it herself. I hate that I can't give it a higher rating.

[Amanda Berard-Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Jayne so getting to learn more about her life was a thrill! All the stories she shared, many involving some of my favorite people, gave me a new viewpoint of some of the same stories I’ve read in those other people’s books! A great interweaving of all the downtown and underground folks in the early punk years of NYC!

[Juan Fuentes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Todo lo cuenta con una naturalidad y un desparpajo que resulta refrescante, parece que estés con ella tomándote unas copas en el bar mientras enlaza anécdotas cada vez más asombrosas.

https://liblit.com/jayne-county-man-e...

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible, wild ride. I loved it.

‘Some people try to use their ideas of “liberation” to suppress others: in the end, they’re no better than the book-burners or the Christian Right. Gay or straight, an asshole is an asshole.’

[Rusty Ray Guns · Rating 3 out of 5]

As fascinating, influential and important a person and life felt this was written without the emotional truth that I was hoping for.
But still the crazy life and times of Jayne county is worth reading for its a crazy ride.

[Ripley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a fun wild ride of a biography.

[Kathryn Castles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. Such an amazing life, delivered with loads of energy and heart

[Tamzin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jayne County is a pioneer, an inspiration who was before her time.

"if you stay alive long enough, people eventually catch up"

[Scott Delgado · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a crazy life. Her life makes John Waters' movies look tame.

[Clarice Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! So interesting and very insightful as to what her life was like back then.

[Blane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jayne/Wayne County was and remains a key figure in the counterculture. This straightforward memoir explains why.

[Helen Damnation · Rating 4 out of 5]

A juicy, gossipy story of Jayne's lives, scenes, triumphs, and tragedies. Is it perfectly done, no, but I inhaled it in 2 days, and a bit more polishing might have made it less interesting.

[Alec Downie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet Jane