Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution

This book gave me A People's History vibes, in that it portrays, over and over, how the work of progress is done NOT primarily by the men on our TV screens, in elected office, behind pulpits or podiums, but by ordinary people, banding together in ways that are somehow haphazard, inventing communities and services and safety nets BECAUSE THEY NEED TO, and because no one else will/has.

A few of these stories I had at least some familiarity with, but so much of this has been ignored/suppressed/distorted that this is clearly a rescue operation for endangered stories.

A remarkable work.

I really enjoyed this read, and learned a good deal. That said, if you are looking for objective historical reporting this is not the volume for you. There is nothing dry about this, but there is also a clear editorial slant, so if that is an issue be warned.

Stryker is a good and almost conversational writer. This could not be more accessible. There is some very edifying historical information about trans life and gender pioneers in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the advances since entering the 21st. She also presents a good framework for transgender feminism, something I think most trans feminist writers have not done terribly well. By recontextualizing feminism as not being about a history or oppression she presents a forward show more looking and more inclusive philosophy. However, as part of this recontextualization Stryker dismisses the concerns of 2nd wave cis-feminists about embracing transwomen as ascientifc and ungrounded, and that is not accurate, The 2nd wave POV was that transwomen grew up being identified and treated as male and therefore cannot connect to the pain which springs from the limitations visited on women by society at large. Certainly there are plenty of cis-male feminists, a penis and empathy for victims of inequity are not mutually exclusive. However, the no trans argument is not about feminism per se, but about creating safe spaces that are women-only to share in the impact of having lived in a world that limits women and which considers women only in the ways they are valued by men. Transwomen do not have the same lived experience as females assigned at birth. I don't feel the need to attend gynocentric gatherings (I went to the Michigan Womyn's festival once and found it ridiculous and cultish and also really boring) but that is me. Stryker dismisses this position entirely, advancing as a matter of fact that there is no distinction between transwomen and people assigned female at birth. I am just saying that is an opinion, not a scientific or legal fact. Stryker does this repeatedly, advances as fact things that are unproven, unprovable, or undecided, but Stryker also imparts great information about the history of trans and nonconforming people and about the current legal and policy issues to be addressed. She also makes good arguments for a road forward, I just wish she had advanced that material as opinion. An absolutely worthwhile and broadening read despite its spin! show less

****.5

Originally published in 2008, I listened to the audiobook version of the revised 2017 edition, published early in the trump administration. As opposed to much recent social science work that I've come across, the writing is refreshingly clear, unpretentious, and largely avoids the weaselly and vacuous "woke" language that tends to taint the genre.

Before delving into the history, the book starts with an extended section on defining transgender terminology, which I found quite useful in understanding the evolution of the vocabulary and the changing underlying attitudes that influence their usage. It's primarily a history text, so there are lots of names and dates and places that can bog down the narrative, but there's plenty of show more context provided and explanations of why these events are important to keep it interesting.

The book is best for people [like me] who aren't widely read in the subject, but are interested in learning more about it. As interest in trans issues have moved from a few neighbourhoods in places like San Francisco and NYC and radical college campuses to the mainstream, it's important for everyone to get better informed, and this book is an excellent place to start. show less

Much better than I expected! Not terribly detailed, but does a really good job of putting people and organizations like Harry Benjamin, Sharon Stone, and ACT UP in context for their times. I also appreciated the bit at the end where the origins of queer theory are outlined, although the terminology started to go a little over my head. (I'm embarrassed to admit I used to get Sharon Stone and Susan Stryker confused before reading this book... they have the same initials, dammit. Now I won't, though, because one of the last gray-boxed "asides" is an interesting snippet of Stryker's interview of Stone.)

"Transgender history" might be a misnomer: it's unapologetically focused on the U.S. history of transgender activism in the last century. show more But considering that that's where the Western word/concept of transgender mostly arose and developed, the choice makes more sense than trying to sweep what the West perceives as gender variance in non-Western cultures under the umbrella, and trying to extend the term backwards in time to people who didn't live in the same world we do. show less

Super well researched and nicely laid out. Stryker has a good voice for engaging nonfiction, and there were several times I remember stopping, rereading, and appreciating a well put phrase, or an idea artfully and beautifully encapsulated. I hope new editions continue to be put out as trans history evolves.

Well written and fascinating. I learned some things about the history of transgenderism that I had never heard before. Notably, cooperation among gay and lesbian advocates and transgendered individuals, until very recently was poor. Feminists also have been deeply split in their support for the transgender community, some adamantly support the belief that transgenderism is merely a social/moral issue and should not be tolerated.

Transgender History is a lucid and compelling account of the history of Transgender activism in the US. I hadn't realized the depth and breadth of the struggle until reading Stryker's book. I can't imagine a more important book to be reading in such a time as this in the United States.