Reviews (2)

A breakthrough study - accessible, too!
A masterful, highly readable survey of an important and fascinating subject.This indispensable, seminal work is concise, but far-reaching.It describes the varied manifestations of gender diversity in a way that permits the reader to perceive the patterns and deeper meanings that underlie cultural differences. This may be the first cross-cultural survey of gender diversity to describe "the trees" in such a balanced and objective way that the reader may see and understand "the forest." Anyone interested in the deeper, changeable nature of human sexuality will find this book to be both provocative and illuminating.A wonderful expansion of the author's classic study of the hijras of India, Neither Man Nor Woman.

Gender Diversity: Crosscultural Variations
In this lean book, Serena Nanda uses ethnographic accounts to illustrate how diverse cultures construct their sex/gender systems. By doing so, she reveals that these systems are not always binary; male and female, man and woman. Her descriptions of masculinity and femininity in India, Brazil,Polynesia, Thailand, the Philippines, within some Native American tribesand in contemporary Euro-American cultures challenge what some believe is"natural" about gender and, by extension, sexuality. Bypresenting gender variations historically and as they are currentlyunderstood and displayed, Nanda reveals the social, historical and culturalforces that have created changes in these sex/gender systems.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cross-cultural studies    2. Gender identity    3. Homosexuality    4. Sex role    5. Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural    6. Social Science / Gender Studies    7. Sociology    8. Transsexuals    9. Anthropology - Cultural    10. Ethnology    11. Gender Studies    12. Social Science   

Editorial Review

While hearing "faggot" yelled at you in a high school corridor would upset almost anyone, here is evidence that hearing "Your father's a faggot" isn't nearly as bad, and that you might find yourself levelheadedly retorting, "No, my father's a transgendered lesbian." This unprecedented collection of short memoirs by adult children of gay, lesbian, and transgender parents demonstrates once again that love cannot be policed or regulated, and that the bond between parents and children transcends petty categories. Kelley Conway's "My Mother and the Nun" describes the confusion a 14-year-old girl feels when her mother falls in love with another woman at the same time that Conway herself is beginning to recognize her own attractions to other girls. In Peter Snow's "Acting Lessons," a college boy returns home to find that his parents, who have always been unhappily married, are still together, and in fact are cozied up on the couch watching television with his mother's lover, Jackie. What is missing from this volume are essays by children who were born or adopted into same-sex families. Without this perspective, the memoirs are somewhat skewed, since almost every writer had to deal not only with a parent's coming out but with a wrenching divorce, often caused by that parent's sexuality. Nevertheless, this collection should prove helpful to therapists, youth counselors, and families with gay members, and contribute positively to the debates on same-sex parenting and adoption. Read more

Reviews (5)

A wonderful collection!
Out Of The Ordinary is a fantastic collection of essays dealing with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and transexual parents. The level of reading can be hard at time and the book can be very descriptive but otherwise it's a fantasic book about growing up in a family were there is no mom and dad and if there is one of them is not entirly happy. A perfect book for anyone gay or kids with gay parents. A wonderful collection!

Out of the Ordinary lives up to its title
I bought this book for a class I am taking.I'm doing my project on same-sex parenting and wanted to get different points of view on it.This book was more than helpful and provided a good idea of the varying views of children of gay, lesbian, or transgendered parents.Not all of the essays think of their parents as the greatest in the world, which I was surprised at.As someone who was shocked to learn several years ago that someone very close to me was gay, the essays convay many of the emotions that I felt when hearing the "coming out" speech.I know that anyone who is close to somebody that's gay will be able to relate to much of this book.

Out of the Ordinary - gives me hope
As the bi-lesbian poly pagan mother of a small child, I know my daughter will soon encounter prejudice from her classmates at school. My daughter was 3 when I came-out. But she was old enough to remember the awful fights between her father & me before that time, and since my coming-out, she's seen how much happier I am and how much better her father & I get along. So she thinks that its perfectly wonderful that I'm out & proud, she hasn't any pre-conceived prejudices about my being gay, and she's thrilled that I have a good (non-sexual) friendship with her father still, as well as a happy long-term lesbian relationship with my wife, who's a MtF transwoman. (she & I were handfasted in a poly pagan ceremony last year) And even though my daughter knows that our family is far from "traditional" she's very happy that we haven't had to go thru the pain of divorce, nor has she had to be without either one of her parents. I hope that someday she'll read this book and see that there are other kids out there who do have GLBT parents but who suffered a lot more than she's had to because of it. (like my wife's kids did. They were all teens when she came-out and went thru her transition. It took them 10 yrs to mature enough to want to re-establish a new relationship with her) But I also hope my daughter can find some strength in knowing she's not alone. She already knows that she's well-loved by all of us and that we'll support her, no matter if she's str8, bi, gay or TG. (tho' it seems right now that she may be str8, I was much like her at that age too, and I wasn't str8) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Family    2. Children of gay parents    3. Children of transsexual parent    4. Children of transsexual parents    5. Family relationships    6. Gay Studies    7. Gay fathers    8. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    9. Gender Studies    10. Homosexuality    11. Parenting - General    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Sociology - Marriage & Family    15. United States    16. Gay & Lesbian studies    17. Marriage, family & other relationships    18. Transsexuals   

Editorial Review

Over the course of the past decade transgender politics have become the cutting edge of sexual liberation. While the sexual and political freedom of homosexuals has yet to be fully secured, questions of who is sleeping with whompale in the face of the battle by transgender activists to dismantle theidea of what it means to be a man or a woman. Riki Anne Wilchins's Read more

Reviews (7)

a disapointment
I read this book hoping to be empowered by a transgender rights leader. Rikki Wilchins is the founder and president of Gender pac.The book was a total disapointment. Wilchin's bio was not moving at all. The book was filled with graphic sex talk about Wilchin's artifical vagina. She talks about workshops where biological women touch her genitals. The book is vulgar and could make more people have hatred for the transgenderd. A total waste of time.

There is a lot of everyone in that book!
Knowing Riki is a blessing.Riki signed my book and said at the time of doing so there was a lot of me in there.As an intersexed person that had just begun to read the book I had my reservations however we both see gender issues in a similiar fashion, this I already knew.The further I got into the book the more I begun to understand that Riki truly understands what people are all about.While her book is part autobiography andpart gender/fem theory it allows those with an open mind to share a fresh perspective of just how all theis 'gender stuff' impacts Everyone!Truly a wonderful book.

A Transgender Feminst, at Long Last
Lots of MTW's/transwomen's claims to be feminist books are merely womanist and don't reveal a serious engagement of feminist gender studies. Riki Anne Wilchins is providing a transgender feminist political analysis of a good many things, including gender. The only objection I have to the text is the sexual self-disclosures that seem to violate the true integrity of the book. Where the queer sexual celebration of love works splendidly in Minnie Bruce Pratt's, "S/he," it feels like advertisement in Wilchins'.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1952-    2. Biography    3. Gender Studies    4. General    5. Lesbians    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Transsexuals    9. United States    10. Wilchins, Riki Anne,    11. Women    12. Women's Studies - General   

Reviews (2)

Devor's Epic
While Devor masterfully strives to be an ally to female men in the text, the disciplinary allegiances seem to encumber her work in ways that perhaps limit its value for transpeople. Released during a time when transgender people became ever the more critical and suspicious of psycho-medical non-transgender writings about them, the text was met with both ridicule from with the movement of transcholars and acclaim by sociological and psycho-medical academics. Statistic-laden study on FtMs; 1st one of its kind.
It's a pretty good book if you're looking for a definitive volume which focuses mainly on female-to-male transsexuals.Though it's laborious reading at times with its mounds and mounds of technical statistics onDevor's research, it's still a must-own for any FtM or anyone who wants toknow about FtMs.It's also very good reading for those who need to knowthe facts, e.g. family members who are dealing with a family member who isFtM.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Human Sexuality    3. Social Science    4. Sociology    5. Cultural studies    6. Sex & sexuality    7. Transsexuals    8. Women's Studies    9. Lesbian & Gay Studies    10. Psychology   

Reviews (1)

Homophobia
An excellent resource manual of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered psychology with a strong emphasis on their segregation from mainstream America.Includes strong literature on the structural isolation of lesbians and gay males and how the creation of a subculture leads to negative stereotypes, warped images, and fictional creations that are used to justify oppression of members of the disadvantaged group.Depicts and explains the homophobic image of homosexuals as a small, self-interested group, favoring their own, commanding a disproportionate world influence.Relates homophobia to other oppressed groups, including Jews as self-interested and cliquish, and African American males as sexual predators.The book also addresses how homophobes justify their behavior through logic and morality.Finally, it provides interesting research on reducing homophobia, including studies on contact and cooperation as means to resolve group conflict. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education & Training    2. Gay Studies    3. Gays    4. Human Sexuality    5. Mental health services    6. Psychology    7. Research    8. Research & Methodology    9. Study and teaching    10. Bisexuals    11. Gay studies (Gay men)    12. Lesbian studies    13. Sexual behaviour    14. Social Science / Gay Studies    15. Transsexuals   

Reviews (4)

Not bad
Very helpful as resource material though a bit stretched in it's assumptions of certain myths.All together a good read.

Awesome!
This is literally an encyclopedia of LBGT stuff!If you ever wanted to know anything about Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, or Transgender subjects, this is the only book you might ever need!

A Treasure Trove of Queer Esoterica!
This book is much more than an exhaustive reference relating to the personalities, events, processes and movements within lgbt spirituality, it is a pure pleasure to read (or in my case, browse through). It tells a far different story than the exclusively heterosexual roster of saints, sages, demons, demigods and deities that we've all had to memorize - and this pantheon is far more fascinating.Just read the entries on the "World Homosexual Movement," the "Order of Chaerona," and the "Han Temple" and you'll realize quickly that we've barely begun to scratch the surface of our old queer race's involvement with the world of the spirit. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology    3. Gay Studies    4. Gender Studies    5. Homosexuality    6. Homosexuality in art    7. Lesbian Studies    8. Mythology    9. Religious aspects    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Death & dying    13. Gay & Lesbian studies    14. Myths & mythology    15. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Mental Health    3. Psychology    4. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    5. Psychotherapy    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Transsexualism    8. Transsexuals   

Subjects:  1. Female-to-male transsexuals    2. Gender Studies    3. Gender identity    4. Lesbian Studies    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology (General)    8. Transsexualism    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Biography: general   

Reviews (2)

Excellent
This is a thoroughly researched and well written book. It places transsexual people in the context of U.S. history and undermines many myths that permeate popular culture about transpeople. Extremely informative and readable.

Brilliant social history
This book is, ostensibly, about the history of transsexuality in the US. But it is, as its title implies, more generally about how the concept of "sex" itself has changed in the US in the past hundred years.Meyerowitz has done an amazing job of putting together activist, scientific, and popular cultural sources to produce a scholarly -- but very readable -- history.Meyerowitz's main point is that it is through a "taxonomic revolution" -- initiated by the possibilities of transsexuality --that scientists, sexual minorities, and broader US society have come to distinguish between sex, gender, and sexuality, and the kinds of identities that are attached to these concepts.She argues most persuasively that the distinction between these arenas of lived experience were worked out through the debates over transsexuality in the US, drawing on earlier European sexological discourses. Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Human Sexuality    3. Social History    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. History of specific subjects    7. Social Science / Gender Studies    8. Transsexuals    9. USA   

Editorial Review

Readers who have followed the postmodern gender debate in the university presses (ranging from Thais Morgan's sedately twisted analyses of Victorian male lesbianism to Judith Butler's acclaimed Read more

Reviews (11)

(lesbian) female masculinity.
Despite my huge frustration that Judith "Jack" Halberstam utterly dismisses the masculinity of heterosexual women (and so should be called Lesbian Female Masculinity if it were being honest), there's a lot of good research and history here, including an interesting look at Radclyffe Hall's The Well of Loneliness and interesting commentary on the boundary lines between butches and FTMs.

an important historical analysis
this book will not hold your hand as you discover your masculinity.it will, however, inform you about the bredth and depth of female masculinity from a variety of perspectives.it is thorough in it's look at the affects of class and race and also contains a very interesting and important chapter on the tensions between butch, transgender, and FTM.this book is an important read for any student of women's or queer studies.

In case you're unsure . . .
Halberstam is brilliant, and so is this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Gender identity    3. Identity    4. Lesbian Studies    5. Lesbians    6. Sex role    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Transsexualism    10. Women's studies   

Reviews (6)

A thoroughly worthwhile read!
As somebody in the midst of transition myself I have devoured many of the "must read" books on this subject and more besides. At this point I have started to be cautious about my selections since similar information is often duplicated, especially in the non-biographical works.
The Riddle Of Gender:Marci Bowers, MD
This is the best Gender-related book I've read thus far. It delves far beyond the woman-in-man's body metaphor to cover historical and current theories about gender and why, like any other human phenomenon, gender is represented best by a biological diversity not necessarily aligned with one's natal genitalia. It also delves with style into recent history offering a chilling echo from Nazi Germany into what intolerance holds towards gender variance. This is a book that everyone over age of 18 ought to read. The personal accounts were also very telling. Great book.

An eye opener!
With an introduction, followed by seven chapters and a conclusion, Deborah Rudacille attempts to solve the riddle of "gender". Being a science writer at The John Hopkins University and the author of several highly praised books, she seems eminently qualified to do so. Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Sexual Behavior    2. Gender Studies    3. Human Sexuality    4. Interviews    5. Political Advocacy    6. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Transsexualism    10. Transsexuals    11. United States    12. Social Science / Gender Studies   

Reviews (2)

A wonderful read
As one of the contributors to this book I found the stories heart warming and enlightening.Not all of us succeed in every endeavor of our lives, but the challenge to each of us is the quality of our journey!The journeys discussed here will make you cry, laugh and appreciate your own chosen path through this life.This is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the gender diversity of those living in and around you.

Run before the wind.
As I am one of the Authors of a story contained in this book I find the editing, production ,front cover and basic issues discussed are very good. All stories are relevant and provide a good discussion of the subject Matter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Sexual Behavior    2. Biography    3. Gender Studies    4. Gender identity    5. Human Sexuality    6. Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects)    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Transsexualism    11. Transsexuals   

Reviews (3)

The one book on transgenderism you should be sure to read
Gender Loving Care - Dr. Ettner's second book - is supposed to be for psychologists and other helping professionals dealing with transgendered clients. I find it is also very interesting for this lay person, and completely accessible, with little or no trade jargon used. It is a structured, fact filled book, but still a relatively fast read. defining the transsexual
Dr. Ettner gets right to the heart of the matter, so this is a must for the transsexual, their friends and family. You will find you are not terminally unique. We are blessed to be who we are and this book will guideyou on your journey. It has given me the direction and courage I sodesperately needed and I hope it may do the same for you.

Excellent, Highly Recomended
Randi's knowledge of the subject matter, and her capabilities as an author makes this an outstanding book on the facinating subject of gender identity disorders.I would recomend Gender Loving Care to the health careprofessional, as well as anyone else interested in learning more about thistopic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Counseling (Psychology)    3. Counseling of    4. Gender identity disorders    5. Human Sexuality    6. Identity    7. Patients    8. Psychiatry - General    9. Psychology    10. Psychotherapy - Counseling    11. Reference    12. Sexual Disorders    13. Transsexuals    14. Counselling    15. Sexual behaviour   

Reviews (9)

The Uninvited Dilemma - A Review
Right up front the author says,�This book is about transsexuals.�She then goes on to state, �The subject has received widespread publicity; but despite the headlines, little is known about the condition by the general public...� The uninvited dilemma is a breath of fresh air.
I found the book to be thoroughly thought out and genuine. It truly answered many of my question where other books on the subject failed to answer. A Rational Outlook on an Irrational Subject
Transsexualism is a subject area where much of the literature is either very clinical, or very anecdotal.A topic where the only common theme among the books is how incredibly difficult it is to study a condition that is deeply internal and subjective to those who live with it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Love / Sex / Marriage    3. Philosophy    4. Psychology    5. Psychology Of Sexuality    6. Sex change    7. Sexual Disorders    8. Transsexuals    9. Sex & sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Alternative Sexual Behavior    2. Biography    3. Gender Studies    4. Gender identity    5. General    6. Identity    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Transsexualism    10. Transsexuals    11. Social Science / Gender Studies   

Reviews (62)

Amazing Book
It seems that a lot of people have already summarized the book, so I wont bother doing that again. All I will say is that it is an absolutely amazing book. After stumbling across many cheesy GLBT books it was very refreshing to pick up a book and have it feel so real. It's a book that I think a lot of people can relate to, especially if you have ever experienced being an outcast. It is defenitely worth a read. I loved it.

gender & class.
This book was given to me by a friend - a friend who also identified as stone butch, and who now IDs as trans. At the time, many years ago, it was really just a book that was supposed to give me an idea of what her life was like. Although I don't think the writing is all it could be - Les Feinberg is better at speeches and non-fiction prose, in my humble opinion - the impact this book had on my life can't be underestimated. It's one of the only books written not just by a lesbian and butch, but also by someone who lived a working-class life. As a result, so much of the book deals with what I'd call the real world: working in a blue-collar industry, dating women, dealing with family estrangement but also innate homophobia. The one scene that really hangs in my memory is one where the narrator has started taking T and is passing for male, and dating a woman who is straight. At some point, the woman says something deeply homophobic, and the convolutions of thought that go on in the narrator's head at that time are enlightening. S/he wonders exactly what would happen to hir if that same woman were to really what/who the narrator really was; the fear in that scene is palpable. And practical. And realistic.

Amazing book about fight for Gay and Lesbian rights
Very important book. Taking a course in Lesbian Literature, I have to say it's been a humble experience. There are so many terms and stuff to learn that a lot of the evil things done to Lesbians and Gays happen. It just goes to show you despite the b.s. about this being a free country you are always attacked for being different. This book written by Leslie Fienberg follows the story of Jesse Goldberg a lesbian coming to grips about her sexuality. Unfortunately for her she is living in 50's in a very politically correct and paranoid time in the USA. She is attacked, raped her and beat upon by cops and other heterosexuals for being a lesbian. Her world stars to change when she meets others like her and learns the "Butch" lifestyle. Feinberg does a great job in showing and exploring different relationship among the gay community while showing how discriminatory the straight community.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Coming out (Sexual orientation    2. Coming out (Sexual orientation)    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Lesbian    6. Lesbians    7. Psychological fiction    8. Transsexuals    9. Modern fiction    10. Romance   

Reviews (3)

A great book, very informative!
Bert does not fit the typical "stereotype" I'm sure many people have. He's not gay for one thing. Most cross-dressers aren't, but there is so little information in the "real world". This book is a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend it for married couples dealing with these issues. Bert is basically your average guy, except for the fact he likes wearing dresses!

Bert & Lori : The Autobiography of a Crossdresser
THe Autobiography of a cross-dresser was a unique book, It gave the reader a unique understnading of cross-dressing from the cross-dresser and from his own words.It also gives a history of when the author started and Howit affects his life now, All in All it was a good book

Bert & Lori : The Autobiography of a Crossdresser
THe Autobiography of a cross-dresser was a unique book, It gave the reader a unique understnading of cross-dressing from the cross-dresser and from his own words.It also gives a history of when the author started and Howit affects his life now, All in All it was a good book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Sexual Behavior    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Human Sexuality    6. Rowe, Robert J    7. Social Science    8. Sociology - General    9. Specific Groups - General    10. Transvestites    11. United States    12. Biography: general    13. Sexual behaviour    14. Transsexuals   

Reviews (5)

Beautiful photography...
This is a must have for anyone with an alternative family. We can't wait to share this book with our family & friends.

Very Interesting, Very Surprising
What I enjoyed about this book is that it covered not only the people like me (gay, male, plans to have children), but it also gave me an insight into some others who have very different lives but the same issues of"alternative-ness."It actually contained a few surprises andgave me some ideas about how a family could be built from things I'd neverconsidered before.

fantastic
a look into the lives of different people. it makes one think that one in simular cercumstances is not alone.A infomative book that shows real people in real lives.well done!!It does need though, more family portrates oftransgendered people. Im glad I waited over two monthes for this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bisexual parents    2. Gay fathers    3. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    4. Interviews    5. Lesbian Studies    6. Lesbian mothers    7. Parenting - General    8. Portraits    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - Marriage & Family    12. Biography: general    13. Family & relationships    14. Gay & Lesbian studies    15. Gender studies    16. Multicultural studies    17. Social issues    18. USA   

Subjects:  1. Bisexuals    2. Gays    3. Mental Health    4. Mental Health And Hygiene    5. Mental Illness    6. Psychiatry - General    7. Psychology    8. Sex Relations    9. Transsexuals    10. Gay & Lesbian studies    11. Mental health services    12. Social groups & communities   

Subjects:  1. AIDS & HIV    2. Bisexuals    3. Gays    4. Health Care Delivery    5. Medical    6. Medical / Nursing    7. Medical care    8. Public Health    9. Transsexuals    10. United States    11. Gay & Lesbian studies    12. Public health & preventive medicine