Product Description

Combines authoritative information and humanitarian insight into the transsexual experience

Filled with wisdom and understanding, this groundbreaking book paints a vivid portrait of conflicts transsexuals face on a daily basis--and the courage they must summon as they struggle to reveal their true being to themselves and others. True Selves offers valuable guidance for those who are struggling to understand these people and their situations.

Using real life stories, actual letters, and other compelling examples, the authors give a clear understanding of what it means to be transsexual. They also give other useful advice, including how to deal compassionately with these commonly misunderstood individuals--by keeping an open heart, communicating fears, pain and support, respecting choices.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36431 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-24
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

From Booklist
Brown and Rounsley's solidly based introduction to many aspects of living as a transsexual provides general information about the dilemma of feeling trapped in the wrong physical gender, about such a person's development, and about locating a gender therapist. Brown and Rounsley also detail the process of transition between genders, starting with legal and identity changes and proceeding to changing outward modes of self-presentation (they include sample "coming-out" letters to employers, coworkers, friends, and family members) and dealing with bathroom issues, hormone treatments, surgical options, and guidelines for finding social support. First-person accounts from transsexuals augment general readability and put human faces on the issues discussed. Whitney Scott

Review
"I would strongly recommend this book as a primer for anyone interested in this topic." (Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35:2)

Inside Flap Copy
While transsexualism may seem a rare phenomenon, statistical data indicates that about 10f the population is transsexual. Add to that number the friends, family, coworkers, and professionals who treat them, and it becomes apparent that the experience of transsexualism affects a great number of people. Mildred Brown--one of the country's most experienced clinicians in the field of transsexualism--and journalist Chloe Rounsley have written the first book that combines authoritative information and compassionate insight into the transsexual experience. Filled with wisdom and understanding, this groundbreaking guide paints a vivid portrait of the myriad conflicts transsexuals face on a daily basis and the courage they must summon as they struggle to reveal their true essence to themselves and others. Using real-life stories, actual letters, poems, and other compelling examples, the authors give a clear understanding of what it means to be transsexual. And the book offers important recommendations for the friends, families, coworkers, and professionals who treat these commonly misunderstood individuals. In addition to breaking down common misconceptions about transsexualism, the book offers important recommendations and guidance about dealing with both the phenomena and with the transsexual person. The authors illustrate how the support of family, friends, and professionals can help ease the burden of confusion, fear, and frustration that plagues the lives of transsexuals. And, the book provides a wealth of down-to-earth information including:

• A clear explanation of the differences between transsexuals and homosexuals, lesbians, transvestites, drag queens, and female impersonators
• Basic information about the emotional and physiological components of the transsexual experience that will help to demystify this often misunderstood group
• Suggestions for friends and family to help them cope during the difficult adjustment period

Customer Reviews

Exceptional Book
I purchased this book after a close family member announced that he was transsexual. I knew very little about transexualism and was spending hours online looking for any information I could find about it. This book was enormously helpful to me in learning about an experience I knew nothing about. I am encouraging members of my family to also read it as they like me want to understand to the best of our ability how to support our family member. The book is wonderfully organized starting with an explanation of terms (e.g. transsexual, transgendered, transvestite) then moving into a description about what transsexuals typically experience during their lives. Starting from childhood and moving through life stages, the authors provide a thoughtful and thorough explanation of what life often entails for transsexuals. The author's are very clear in saying when experiences are common to men or women, and take every effort to not overly generalize experiences across all transsexuals. The last few chapters of the book provide a helpful overview of the medical procedures some transsexuals choose to do and how and why they may or may not officially change their gender. I wish I could more eloquently describe how thorough and well written this book is but I hope that those reading this review can at least hear in my words how very helpful I have found this book. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand transexualism regardless of whether or not they personally know someone who is.

Excellent Resource and Guidance
'True Selves' is a unique and excellent book. The book cover says "For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals".

It is that and so much more. It is a great resource for learning or teaching about trnassexualism. But, it is also a great guide for those who are transgender or transsexual. It covers personal feelings, the feelings of others and also how to transition from coming out to the ultimate step of sexual/gender reassignment surgery. It discusses coming out, hormones, living full-time and covers every aspect of what is means to be transsexual.

I cannot say enough about this book. I would recommend this book be on anyone's list that is transgender or is dealing with a transgender individual.

Transgendered? Confused? MTF, FTM, TG, TV, TS, et al., Buy this Book! Great RESOURCE, and possible Sanity Saver.
Gender Bending, Crossdressing, Transsexualism, Shemales, Drag Queens, Female Impersonators, Homosexuals and Lesbians, Transvestites, Intersexed Individuals, and Transgendered Individuals of all flavors are discussed; Terminology is explained in order to reduce confusion. In fact,
Confusion is also covered.

Motivations for crossdressing are discussed, and Sexual Orientation (vs. Gender Identity) is explained. This book reveals and explains many aspects of Transgendered behavior, activities, and Needs (psychological, emotional, physical, etc.). Social Stigma is discussed, and the need of support groups is covered. Many Resources are given at the back of the book (see below).

I recommend True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals to all those who are interested in the subjects, and to those listed in the title, but I strongly recommend this book for ANYONE with "Gender Issues" (Gender Identity problems, worries, desires, confusion, et al.). I truly wish that I would have had this book a long time ago. I had to piece it all together from Nursing books, psychology texts, magazine articles, research, books, long talks with people of various "Alternative" lifestyles, and by experimentation. I even dated a Transsexual, and had long talks with her about these subjects. From everything that I have learned and from everything I learned vicariously through Transsexuals, I highly recommend True Selves as a starting point or as a great resource guide for TG/TS/TV/CD and others who know, are related to, or work with these individuals!

Aside from the fantastic amount of information and quotes from those who have been in therapy (many stories correlated to my experiences as a child, teen, and adult), and the wonderful advice about therapy,
seeking much needed assistance, and finding ways to "cope" then take action to live a better life, this book also contains something I have not encountered previously:

NAMES and ADDRESSES of Organizations which help Transsexuals.

Regardless of whether a person is simply confused, suicidal, MTF, or FTM, transgendered, etc., these resources and organizations are available to help a person remain with us, find help, find therapists, find the right
doctors.... heck, even find Shoes!

This is a list of the Organizations given at the back of the book, and if you purchase the book you will have the Addresses, Phone Numbers, Contact information, and a bonus list of Web Sites so you can access more
valid information without trolling the Internet or logging numerous searches into your work station computer, during break time or lunch.

Not only will you avoid leaving a Tranny Trail on your work PC, but this book gives several good examples of "coming out" letters and information about Transitioning at work; job related issues are explained, in detail. In fact, True Selves also provides sample Feedback from "coming out" letters and strategies for coming out to parents, family, and friends. One idea was very good--impressive--but you can buy the book to discover the idea.

I really believe that most people should read this book, because True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals deflates the ignorant stance of those who would be nasty about such a situation.

Books that I have read in the past discussed a LOT of negativity and
horrible treatment of "Trannies," but this book shows that a tremendous amount of Progress has been made to give Transsexuals basic human rights, and even decent bathroom access. I am quite impressed by how much has
changed since I began researching this subject in the early '90s! It seems that there is not as much to fear as previously reported. The Internet is probably contributing to more enlightened views, but also True Selves shows that those who persevered in the past created a better working environment, better laws, better working conditions, etc.

Overall, True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals is good news for anyone with "Gender Issues," and I personally find the book to be a great relief as I research to figure out personal matters.

Nearly every subject related to Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and the need to be the opposite sex is covered in this book. Anyone involved with Psychology, Sociology, the public, employees, or "Alternative" people should at least peruse this book, but I believe that Transgendered Individuals of all flavors will get the most out of this book. In fact, if anything goes awry with the suggestions in the book (i.e., if ignorance prevails), you can hand this book to the person, and point out a section. Often, if people are forced to see that something is a Medical Condition, their attitude changes. If not....

Here is a list of resources that will be available to you, if you purchase the book;

Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA)

American Educational Gender Information Service (AEGIS)

Gender Education and Advocacy (GEA)

The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE)

FTM International

Intersex Society of North America (ISNA)

Renaissance Transgender Association, Inc.

Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)

Ingersoll Gender Center

Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)

Transfamily of Cleveland

TransGender San Francisco

Mermaids

...and a list of websites (with Ph.D credentials, etc.).

For a long while, I had this on my wish list (hidden), but I was concerned about coworkers, friends, and college students seeing my research choices. However I have discovered that most people (even in college) are not that bright, nor worth suppressing your natural inclinations to appease. If you but the book, you can always hide the purchase on your list. ;-) I study Psychology, in college and on my own, and I am very impressed with this book and the way it handles the subjects. This list of resources, alone, is worth the purchase price. Honestly, I wish I would have had this book ten years ago.

Note: True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals may appear to be only for those listed in the title, but it speaks to the person with Transgender issues, and is definitely written with those individuals in mind. Regardless of where you stand (curious, questioning, Knowing, TS, TV, TG, CD, or whatever the case) this book is a fantastic resource guide and could be a godsend to teenagers or young adults with Gender Identity issues. No matter what age you are, however, this book is written to speak to everyone, and is very respectful to all individuals.