Scan barcode
A review by stitchsaddiction
Surviving Transphobia by Laura A. Jacobs
4.0
As a member of the LGBTQ community, and one who has transgender members of my family alongside being non binary myself? I knew before even opening this book that I would be facing moments of anger, sadness, and joy.
Surviving Transphobia was a necessary book that would drag me through various emotions, and I wasn't wrong.This book is a reminder to all that being transgender is a for from new thing, and as many banners seen at protests 'We have always been here, and always will be.' The reader encounters both transgender men and women who have been in the military along with other areas of employment, and their tales are incredibly inciteful. I cried several times as these wonderful people opened their hearts and spoke of the internal torment one must face when processing and accepting the often hard reality that the body we see in the mirror isn't the one we know with all that we are; is wrong. How society judges them and how sometimes those we regard as close friends become distant as we grow into our true selves, whether that be with surgery or social transition. Transphobia is horrific to experience and to witness being directed at those you love. It is drawn from true hatred and misinformation spread by those who refuse to believe what is said to them and I wish in 2023 it didn't exist nor that I was seeing it grow but I believe truly that books like this can remind you, that you can get through each cruel shout, or threat to your life.. because transgender people have, as I have said, always existed, and we belong here just as those who are certain their body is correct do too. Alongside these hard moments in their recollections, there are also tales of joy, acceptance, and growth both for the transgender person and those around them. Their relief and happiness are tangible, and I laughed alongside these people whose words truly affected me as I felt their peace come through the page.
Being transgender or non binary, is a hard journey - it can break you but Surviving Transphobia shows you that you can survive the cruelty, the misinformation and the agony of how strangers can try to make you invisible. It is a wonderful book. It will make your heart ache through sorrow and joy.
If you're feeling alone, this book will remind you that it's not true. All of us matter equally, and each of us deserves to smile and be loved.
Surviving Transphobia was a necessary book that would drag me through various emotions, and I wasn't wrong.This book is a reminder to all that being transgender is a for from new thing, and as many banners seen at protests 'We have always been here, and always will be.' The reader encounters both transgender men and women who have been in the military along with other areas of employment, and their tales are incredibly inciteful. I cried several times as these wonderful people opened their hearts and spoke of the internal torment one must face when processing and accepting the often hard reality that the body we see in the mirror isn't the one we know with all that we are; is wrong. How society judges them and how sometimes those we regard as close friends become distant as we grow into our true selves, whether that be with surgery or social transition. Transphobia is horrific to experience and to witness being directed at those you love. It is drawn from true hatred and misinformation spread by those who refuse to believe what is said to them and I wish in 2023 it didn't exist nor that I was seeing it grow but I believe truly that books like this can remind you, that you can get through each cruel shout, or threat to your life.. because transgender people have, as I have said, always existed, and we belong here just as those who are certain their body is correct do too. Alongside these hard moments in their recollections, there are also tales of joy, acceptance, and growth both for the transgender person and those around them. Their relief and happiness are tangible, and I laughed alongside these people whose words truly affected me as I felt their peace come through the page.
Being transgender or non binary, is a hard journey - it can break you but Surviving Transphobia shows you that you can survive the cruelty, the misinformation and the agony of how strangers can try to make you invisible. It is a wonderful book. It will make your heart ache through sorrow and joy.
If you're feeling alone, this book will remind you that it's not true. All of us matter equally, and each of us deserves to smile and be loved.