TransForming gender: Transgender practices of identity, intimacy and care

by Sally Hines

This book is a major contribution to contemporary gender and sexuality studies. At a time when transgender practices are the subject of increasing social and cultural visibility, it marks the first UK study of transgender identity formation. It is also the first examination - anywhere in the world - of transgender practices of intimacy and care. The author addresses changing government legislation concerning the citizenship rights of transgender people. She examines the impact of legislative shifts upon transgender people's identities, intimate relationships and practices of care and considers the implications for future social policy. The book encompasses key approaches from the fields of psychoanalysis, anthropology, lesbian and gay studies, sociology and gender theory. Drawing on extensive interviews with transgender people, "TransForming gender" offers engaging, moving, and, at times, humorous accounts of the experiences of gender transition. Written in an accessible style, it provides a vivid insight into the diversity of living gender in today's world. The book will be essential reading for students and professionals in cultural studies, gender studies and sexuality studies as well as those in sociology, social policy, law, politics and philosophy. It will also be of interest to health and educational students, trainers and practitioners. Sally Hines is a lecturer in sociology and social policy at the University of Leeds. Her teaching and research interests fall within the areas of identity, gender, sexuality, the body and citizenship.

Genres: Politics, LGBT, Theory

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very academic and dry. sorry I wish it was written better this subject hits close to home.

[Jo B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Hines is one of my favourite writers. An academic with principles, intelligence, and a writing style that is accessible to all kinds of readers. With a combination like that, you cannot go wrong.

[Paige McLoughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published 2007 mostly feminist and queer theory and how it relates to transgendered people. Written before the housing bubble (I would think and like to see Marxian perspective as they are more salient today) a little bit of a postmodern hangover but fairly solid on a lot of issues facing the transgender community in contexts of larger feminist and queer communities. Also relations with ever-widening circles from family, to transgendered communities and resources, law and society, and citizen participation among genderqueer folk. Not bad I suppose somewhat specialized in scope but genderqueer challenges things on a lot of fronts for a small community.

https://www.wpath.org/media/cms/Docum...

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I am interested in human diversity. Plus I got into a Facebook debate (at least I was trying to debate), with a person who simply could not understand how someone born with a penis would want to have it made into a vagina and was told quite categorically, "if you are born male, you are male" and then they quoted the dictionary at me, half quoted really, the bit that backed them up. I was banging my head against a brick wall and you can't debate with a person who won't even consider there may be more than one way of seeing something...so I ran to the refreshing hills of academia.

This book is nearly ten years old, but it does a decent job of discussing societal and personal aspects of gender identity despite being hung on a theoretical framework. I particularly enjoyed the personal acccounts, some of which made me stop and think about my own preconceived notions (we all have them no matter how open minded or enlightened we think we are). The research was based on UK participants and their experiences. There was brief mention of cultural differences for broad contrast but not between the participants. They may well have been culturally diverse, but that was not disclosed. So despite being an in-depth study of gender identity, I felt it did not fully represent society. Perhaps I need to find a book on gender identity in culturally diverse societies. All in all, however, a good read...and i suggest the person with whom I 'debated', reads it!