Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices by Kirsten Cronn-Mills

Sexuality and gender expression issues are very near and dear to my heart.  My heart breaks for those who feel trapped in their body or worse.  I think that every person deserves to feel safe and at home in their own body.  I also feel very strongly that parents have to support their kids through their questioning and/or transitioning times.  It's so important.  Author Kirsten Cronn-Mills has written a book that allows the reader to look at life through the eyes of a trans person.

"I didn't hear the word transgender until I was eighteen, when a person I was dating came out as trans. My boyfriend came out as my girlfriend, and I thought, 'What . . . is that?' She said, 'I just don't think I'm a man.' And I said, 'Guess what? Neither do I.' And then the skies parted, and I understood who I was."—Katie Burgess, nonprofit director and community activist/organizer

Meet Katie, Hayden, Dean, Brooke, David, Julia, and Natasha. Each is transgender, and in this book, they share their personal stories. Through their narratives, you'll get to know and love each person for their humor, intelligence, perseverance, and passion. You'll learn how they each came to better understand, accept, and express their gender identities, and you'll follow them through the sorrows and successes of their personal journeys.

Transgender Lives helps you understand what it means to be trans* in America while learning more about transgender history, the broad spectrum of transgender identities, and the transition process. You'll explore the challenges transgender Americans face, including discrimination, prejudice, bullying and violence, unequal access to medical care, and limited legal protections. For transgender readers, these stories offer support and encouragement. Transgender Lives is a space for trans* voices to be heard and to express the complexities of gender while focusing on what it means to be human.

I truly enjoyed reading this book.  I was so touched by all of the stories that are shared in it.  So many wonderful people are sharing their stories of transition, life, love and gender.  I liked that Cronn-Mills was very honest and upfront about her role of author/compiler of this book.  She is a cis gender advocate for those who are trans, queer or questioning their gender.  I think everyone will benefit from reading this book and seeing through the eyes of someone dealing with a gender issue.  We all need to educate ourselves and learn about those around us who may be different.  Different is not wrong.  The author addresses a number of issues that trans folks are facing.  They are already going through so much as a trans person but the world can be more difficult to navigate as a trans person.  I highly recommend this book for everyone to get a better understanding of trans people.

You can click here to add Transgender Lives to your Goodreads. Author Kirsten Cronn-Mills can be found on her website, her blog and on Twitter. Transgender Lives will be published on September 1st so you have plenty of time to pre-order your copy.  I give Transgender Lives 4 Fairies for a lovely look into the lives of real trans men and women who are living their lives their way.