This book discusses the current state of affairs regarding Transgender rights and way of life in the UK and abroad. It has opened my eyes to the complexity of the so-called transgender “issue”. I am glad I read it. First of all, it has informed me about the history of the transgender topic, from historical accounts about people and groups who (could) identify as transgender to the evolution of the concept. Second, it has opened my eyes to the unfair treatment trans people receive in their everyday lives. Third, it has clarified some conceptual, social and political issues around trans-people. The arguments are obviously skewed to the POV of the author, a transgender woman. But this isn’t bad, quite the opposite. Although this is not a memoir/biography, but an analysis, the text is enriched by the subjectivity of the author. Fourth, it has helped me to identify sources of misinformation. Fifth, it has left many more questions I want to investigate. To start I’d like to read someone with a different perspective on this same topic, and also to broaden my read to medical and legal issues as well. Content:
Introduction: seen but not heard
1. Trans Life Now
2. Right And Wrong Bodies
3. Class Struggle
4. Sex Sells
5. The State
6. Kissing Cousins: The T in the LGBT
7. The Ugly Sister: Trans People in feminism
Conclusion: A Transformed Future
While I enjoyed the whole book, my favourite chapter was the Ugly Sister abt disagreements btw feminist factions regarding trans people. This doesn't mean I agree with Faye's ideas. I found it contradicting how trans activists, who rely on scientific advancements to transform their bodies challenge science's fundamental and immutable facts about biological sex. This on its own invalidates every other idea built on top of it. Nevertheless I'd recommend the book to understand one part of the argument.
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