“This is a treatise on trans ambivalence,” proclaims a sentence in the Foreword. As the author explains, part of the work of transphobia is to consistently undermine or outright deny the reality of trans people, requiring that they reply with absolute certainty — but what in human life do we know with absolute certainty?? (Nothing, the answer is nothing) So what this book does so admirably is to probe the nuances, doubts or moments of confusion — to reveal how gender is constructed socially over and over as a response to external demands. It’s fascinating and thought-provoking and it made so clear to me how the gender binary is just a failing (and racist) institution.
But the book is also such a beautiful love letter to trans people — there is much here about pain, fear, and hardship, but there is also joy, wonder, and above all love. A very moving read.
Kasia Reads 