Some notes on Living

Professor Helen Boyd , author of My Husband Betty and long time Gender Studies Scholar, teacher, activist and blogger, has put together a fantastic syllabus of ” go to” books , for those interested in the topic from all angles – its a humdinger of a great list, and basically a response (a better list) to the distance between the perceived image of the Transgendered vs the realities of our lives. It seems OUT magazine in its “Transgendered Issue “, listed 10 books that fell sooo short of the mark. It is the time of year for the Lamda Literary Awards and such and really their list is just lame. (in plain English) – to be fair, Helen does point out it is a fashion magazine , but still – dang.

There are so many books are out there about the deeper dynamics our real lives, not sensationalism etc., there for the reading, solace and general education. (Out’s list totally didn’t cut it, sadly) – even the gay lgbT community has a lot of learning to do about the realities of the transgendered. Yep and hey HOPEFULLY we all ARE still learning, no shame in that )

**I am so glad i killed my tv , well sort of, dropped down to virtually no dish, just local and upper channels 5.99 a month ! ..saves money (for books !? yes, and creates time to READ !!!) RIP – TV

Its a true service, big time Hat Tip to Helen for taking the time to post her suggestions, she is a scholar, teaches Gender Studies at various Universities. And manages several websites. Energy, brains and sooo much devotion put into , education , networking and advocacy. This work is changing this world. Kudo’s to Professor Boyd, Betty and their many colleages and friends who are charting these pathes. They are the  real trailblazers,  educating us all, towards  a more compassionate world, greater understanding of the phenomonon of Gender Variance and the constrictions of the Gender Binary.

Its an endlessly fluid topic , evolving sociologically , politically, culturally. Its a psychological , scientific, and personal field of study. So many angles to approach it from, and the authors Helen lists do just that, in wide variety.

My additions would be Professor Jenny Boylen’s book She’s not There, Mildred Brown’s True Selves, and of course Professor Boyd’s My Husband Betty – These books are great reads. And Joan Roughgarden’s Nature’s Rainbow, all varied and truly real page turners if you have an interest. Kate Bornstein’s Gender Outlaw, all Classics already in their own right.

Whipping Girl, by Julia Sereno, which i have not read yet, has also recieved an overwelmingly positive response from Cutting edge Gender Theorists especially in Academia. ( so kids its ALMOST summer there is your reading list. Use the daylight, and enjoy a good book)