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Trans Like Me
Trans Like Me: A Journey for All of Us | C. N. Lester
What does it mean to be transgender? How do we discuss the subject? In this eye-opening book, CN Lester, academic and activist, takes us on a journey through some of the most pressing issues concerning the trans debate: from pronouns to Caitlyn Jenner; from feminist and LGBTQ activists, to the rise in referrals for gender variant children - all by way of insightful and moving passages about the author's own experience. Trans Like Me shows us how to strive for authenticity in a world which often seeks to limit us by way of labels.
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AnneCecilie
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Pickpick

When it comes to statistics, this book doesn‘t bring anything new to the table. But CN Lester is telling their stories, and everyone story is different.

I think what I‘ll remember from this is the importance of her brother and revisiting one of her schools to give a speech. I‘ll also remember the doctor who wanted to ban horse riding because of the potential dangers, but at the same time society is against people changing their sex.

TheAromaofBooks Great progress! 1mo
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Pickpick

A good memoir that blends in a look at history, thoughtful commentary, and personal lived experiences. This book does all of that and while it emphasizes that not all trans stories or non-binary stories are the same, these were the lived experiences of this author. Very thoughtful & honest, willing to take on the Hollywood version & stereotypes out there, plus a big dose of history we have whitewashed from our collective history.

#SheSaid

AllDebooks This was such an informative, compassionate read. I loved it and so glad we swapped. 1mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @AllDebooks Yes, me too. For a last minute switch, it was the perfect one. 1mo
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DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

#ReadAway2024

Our September pick for #SheSaid this memoir by a trans artist, musician & activist was interesting & illuminating. C. N. Lester was able to weave in history, science, politics & their own experiences in an engaging way that made me think. I like non-fiction that gives me a different perspective & this one did. Thanks to @Riveted_Reader_Melissa for hosting.

DieAReader ❤️‍🔥Wonderful!! 1mo
44 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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vlwelser
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Pickpick

This was interesting and I appreciate the perspective. Seems like I forgot to take a pic.... Whatever. Please feel free to enjoy this very riveting screenshot I boosted off Goodreads.

#SheSaid @Riveted_Reader_Melissa

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Riveted_Reader_Melissa 😂 the screenshot totally works! 1mo
TheAromaofBooks Great progress! 1mo
34 likes2 comments
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willaful
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willaful

“There are so many lessons we could learn from these examples, from the thousands more we find when we widen our historical scope. But this is the most important: that a strict gender binary has never been able to hold the totality of humanity--not in the past, not in the present--not in the future.“

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid!

How is everyone this weekend? I‘m a bit behind this week, kindle issues… but I spent some time with customer service today and I‘m up and running again and hope to catch up soon.

Please start without me, and I‘ll jump in when I finish.

See All 12 Comments
Riveted_Reader_Melissa If anyone would like added or removed to the tag list, please let me know 1mo
willaful I thought the points in the last chapters were very valuable, especially about the danger of attributing too much meaning to celebrity progress, and to seeing progress as inevitably. That\'s show itself very true since the book was written.

I was a little puzzled by the author\'s insistence on using the word feminism. It\'s a word so specifically associated with a gendered idea, it doesn\'t seem right for what they\'re trying to express.
1mo
willaful On the other hand, their anger at being always shown as *opposed* to feminism is very understandable. It\'s a common problem with marginalized groups, as shown in the saying \“all the blacks are men, all the women are white\“ -- but especially in this instance, when a subset of feminists are making life so hard for trans people. 1mo
vlwelser @willaful I think their point was the exclusion. The either/or of it. Like there's some feminist/non feminist binary. Maybe it isn't articulated that way. But that's how I read it. 1mo
vlwelser I love the references to the Roxane Gay book which is something everyone should read. 1mo
willaful @vlwelser I wasn\'t very interested in it when I first tried it but now I want to have another go. 1mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @willaful I took the intersectionality discussion of feminism very much to be the point. Feminism should not be Female first, or a female power movement. But an anti- gender stereotypes holding everyone down and dictating their worth, abilities, etc, etc. and that very much intersects with racism but also ANY group the current societal gender ideas discriminated against. And the fact that some feminists have taken a hard line with “real ⤵️ 1mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa ↪️ women” versus everyone else and are forcing an us vs them is wrong. Anyone society looks at as women and discriminates or treats differently because of that, because women-like anything is viewed as less than…that‘s the real fight. And that includes a large section of all kinds of people...really all of society. 1mo
28 likes12 comments
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid!

Sorry for the very late post today, just enjoying the fall weather here this weekend!

How is the book going for you? Thoughts on this week‘s section?

vlwelser I appreciate the author's opinions more and more as I read further. There's nothing especially earth shattering about this but it's well written and I appreciate the perspective. 2mo
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willaful I like how clearly this book explains things. I\'d heard before that bathroom laws were designed to remove trans people from public life but I don\'t think I really grasped what it meant before. 2mo
DebinHawaii I like how they are laying out the book and the mix of their own stories with the science and history. I am learning a lot and enjoying their perspective.
2mo
AnneCecilie Chapter 8 really had an impact on me, left me tears, both when she was talking about the importance of her brother and when she was returning to one of her previous schools to give a speech 1mo
27 likes7 comments
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AnneCecilie
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Something to think about

#SheSaid
@Riveted_Reader_Melissa

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willaful

As for being a freak of nature, or desperate to deny its truth? I don't understand how being true to my nature goes against it. I can't begin to square that circle.

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid!

How is everyone doing this week?

Thoughts on this week‘s sections?

See All 13 Comments
MallenNC Unfortunately my library doesn‘t have this one so I‘m not able to read it this month. I will keep it on my TBR for the future. 2mo
vlwelser This author is very articulate and I appreciate their perspective on this topic. Glad you found this though I have no idea what the deal was with the other book. 2mo
CatLass007 I confess that I found chapter 5 confusing. Maybe it‘s a factor of my age or preconceived notions. But I don‘t understand the distinction they are making between sex and gender. However I felt chapters 6 and 7 were poignant and informative when they discuss dealing with medical professionals who have their own preconceived ideas about what it is to be transgender. (edited) 2mo
willaful I was struck by the use of proprioception to talk about dysphoria, since I have had proprioception issues myself. And the discussion about the insistence on gender as *opposites*, which isn't even supported by history, is fascinating. 2mo
AnneCecilie I also found chapters 6 and 7 to be eye opening. Her horse riding story made an impact on me. How when she was young she had fallen of the horse and needed several operations. Another girl was there after having her pelvis crushed after the pony she was riding fell on her. The doctor had told her parents “that horse riding was more risky than riding a motorbike” and jet young girls are encouraged to do it. But we tell young people who want 2mo
AnneCecilie treatment that it‘s too dangerous. (edited) 2mo
willaful @AnneCecilie Yes, that was a powerful story.

@CatLass007 I think part of the point is that “sex“ can be much murkier than people like to think.
2mo
DebinHawaii While Chapter 5 was interesting, I also found myself caught up in Chapter 6 & 7. I am impressed with the author‘s writing & how they related their stories mixed in with other experiences & the science. It makes it very readable & I‘m learning a lot. 2mo
Bookwomble @vlwelser I know this is a bit late in the day for a response, but the other book that was initially considered is virulently transphobic. 3w
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid

I know this book substitution came suddenly, so have you found a copy, and if so, how do you feel about it so far?

See All 12 Comments
CatLass007 I am learning so much from this author. I‘m learning some of what trans people go through. I‘m learning that I have many preconceived ideas about what it means to be trans. I was in junior high when Renee Richards had what was then called a “sex change” operation. She was not a public figure, she was an ophthalmologist. Her gender didn‘t become an issue until she wanted to play professional tennis. I remember riding on the school bus, (cont)⬇️ 2mo
CatLass007 listening to a girl who had decided to write a report on Dr. Richards. I don‘t remember any of what she said except for repeatedly saying “she, I mean it.” I believe she was deliberately saying “she” so that she could supposedly correct herself to say “I mean it.” I didn‘t really understand the politics and hostility felt about Dr. Richards by most of the world. I just knew that what the girl on the school bus was saying wasn‘t (cont)⬇️ 2mo
CatLass007 just disrespectful it was hateful. Things haven‘t changed much in society‘s treatment of trans people. I was wondering what had happened to Renee Richards so I googled her. She retired from performing surgery at the age of 80. She is now 90 years old and doing well. 2mo
willaful Ooops, I forgot to ask to get retagged. I just got it and will try to catch up. 2mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @willaful I added you already, you should have gotten tagged 2mo
vlwelser They have a perspective that seems to be missing from this very interesting group of people. We have read other books by trans authors. But that may not be common. I have heard the Caitlin Jenner opinion before. As in, why do people seem to think that's their figurehead or whatever. I wouldn't want her as my spokesperson either. I totally get that. 2mo
DebinHawaii Interesting & illuminating so far. I‘m learning a lot & like the author‘s writing style. 2mo
AnneCecilie Like several others have already stated, I‘m learning a lot. There‘s something about seeing tings from different perspectives 2mo
willaful I was struck by how the author couldn't use HRT, as a singer. I always enjoy reading less conventional transgender narratives. It's good to hear different stories.

I don't think I'd read much from a transgender perspective about Jenner before, and that was interesting.
2mo
36 likes12 comments
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AnneCecilie
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Dilara I hadn‘t thought of that, but it seems so obvious now that I see it in writing 2mo
43 likes1 comment
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AnneCecilie
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I had no idea about the historic use of “they”

#SheSaid
@Riveted_Reader_Melissa

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Hello #SheSaid!

Our replacement book for this month.

Please put in your library holds & interlibrary loans.

See All 10 Comments
CatLass007 I see my name in the tag list but I haven‘t been getting your tags lately. Is there a customer service contact that we could consult? 2mo
CatLass007 Oh, but I‘m in. 2mo
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @CatLass007 I don‘t know of any…and it‘s been giving me trouble posting the tag list lately too 🤷‍♀️ 2mo
CatLass007 @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I found an email address for customer service. You‘re not the only person who‘s tagged me and I didn‘t receive a notice. For some reason I got the tag above. 2mo
CatLass007 What is the title of the other book we were considering? I‘m finding this book very enlightening and I would like to see if the other book is available through my library. 2mo
CatLass007 Thank you. 2mo
26 likes10 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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Pickpick

This is a really interesting, eye-opening book. It's part memoir, part history, part social commentary, and challenges traditional thinking on gender. It's made me realise how little I knew about non binary identity - I had no idea, for example, that some NB people medically transition. A great insight.

Bookwomble I have this on my trb mountain - I think i need to move it closer to base camp! 3y
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 3y
25 likes2 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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#ReadHarder challenge 1: a memoir written by someone who is trans or non binary

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Kenyazero
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I'm bouncing in with another book sale (SorryNotSorry) because one of my FAVORITE memoirs is on sale via Kindle today. I highly recommend this book, especially if you're interested in learning about being trans and nonbinary, learning about being intersex (discussed, not experienced), love music, and enjoy really well written nonfiction. #LGBTQBooks #LGBTQ #QueerBooks

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JustCarissa
Pickpick

A lovely validating book about humans understand each other and themselves, with stark realism about the oppression that trans people face in history and present day. Gonna be thinking about this one for a while

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Kenyazero
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Thanks for the tag, @Eggs !
1. The tagged is a recent favorite. It is an excellent read!
2. Purple/indigo
3. Teaching and creating
4. I always feel silly about tagging anyone. If you're interested, please join in! I'd love to see your answers. #friYAYintro

Eggs I chose indigo as well 4y
Kenyazero @Eggs I saw! it's the best color! 4y
13 likes2 comments
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Kenyazero
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Thanks for the tag, @Eggs !

1. Tough call, but I'm going with the tagged book.

2. I don't have a copy of the book(yet), so I can't quote it exactly, but CN Lester talks about a time when a little girl asked them why they look like a boy. They responded "because I like looking like a boy. What do you like looking like?" Adorable.

I'll go ahead and tag some people too!

#two4tuesday @TheSpineView

TheSpineView Thanks for playing and Happy Tuesday! 😊 5y
Kenyazero @TheSpineView Thank you for starting it! 5y
Eggs You‘re welcome @Kenyazero ! 5y
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coffees oh no! i didn't read any books in April CRIES 5y
Kenyazero @crimson613 Nothing wrong with that! 5y
7 likes6 comments
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Kenyazero
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. It might be an excellent read for anyone wanting to learn more about trans, genderqueer, and gender nonconforming experiences (and doesn‘t know anyone with these experiences). CN Lester shares their experiences, fears, and hopes on these experiences and lgbtq+ equality eloquently and beautifully.

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Kenyazero
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I suspect this book will have some hard ups and downs, so I‘ll probably read the whole thing now instead of later. Made it to their discussion of gendered language and how it‘s meant to be more freeing, so one person‘s use of language for themselves won‘t match someone else‘s like how they identify as transgender and they, and have been told by some trans people that they aren‘t trans because they‘re they. #lgbtq #nonfiction #queerbook

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Kenyazero
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I‘m Delighted to be reading this book! So far, though, it‘s hitting on all the things that depress and scare me. And it‘s reminding me of the concerns I have that when my husband publishes his book about his experiences with trauma, people will focus on his transness or point to the ptsd as causing his transness. Gonna keep listening, but I have a suspicion I might have to finish this after the pandemic. #transgender #lgbtq

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LeanneAslin
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Love this quote - I want to throw it at people who can't understand the importance of labels (although usually I think they do, they just don't want to be accommodating of something they don't much care about).

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lovelybookshelf
Pickpick

THIS is the book I'll be recommending to cis ppl who aren't ready for something as dense as Whipping Girl. It's 101 level without speaking down to the reader. I have mixed feelings about its tragic overtone, but overall I feel it's vital: Too many cis ppl focus on the advances they've seen and ignore the very real, current struggles that still exist. Good exploration of critical thinking and checking privilege. Most importantly, it's #ownvoices!

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Verity
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"I see the way that others fail me, and know I must, despite my best intentions, be failing others.'

A lot to digest in this, but this sentence really struck me because it's one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book - to make sure I'm not hurting and failing other people. #feminism

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Verity
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For today's #riotgrams #lgbtq+ prompt, two books from my tbr. I'm trying to educate myself ATM because through various threads I've come across on twitter I've realised that my ignorance on some of these issues I could easily offend/upset people without even knowing I'm doing it. And I really don't want to be that person.

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