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True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals (Paperback)
by Mildred L. Brown (Author), Chloe Ann Rounsley (Author) "What would you do if your daughter came to visit one day and confided her deepest, darkest secret: "All my life, I've felt like I..." (more)
Key Phrases: dysphoric teens, transsexual teens, gender dysphoric children, United States, Standards of Care, Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (more...)
  4.6 out of 5 stars 57 customer reviews (57 customer reviews)  

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Editorial Reviews
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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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

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Product Details
  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (March 24, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0787967025
  • ISBN-13: 978-0787967024
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars 57 customer reviews (57 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,606 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #12 in  Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction > Transgender
    #87 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Sexuality > Human

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  • Also Available in: Hardcover (1st ed) |  All Editions

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
What would you do if your daughter came to visit one day and confided her deepest, darkest secret: "All my life, I've felt like I was a boy instead of a girl." Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dysphoric teens, transsexual teens, gender dysphoric children, transitioning transsexuals, transgendered teens, most transsexuals, transitioning employee, transsexual parent, transsexual issues, transsexuals report, transsexual patients, adult transsexuals, gender incongruity, many transsexuals, sex reassignment surgery, other transsexuals, new gender role, opposite gender role, gender dysphoria, outer presentation, transsexuals experience, gender therapists, transsexual phenomenon, postoperative transsexuals, female transvestites
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Standards of Care, Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association
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Customer Reviews
57 Reviews
5 star: 80%  (46)
4 star: 10%  (6)
3 star: 1%  (1)
2 star: 3%  (2)
1 star: 3%  (2)
 
 
 
 
 
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30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Best taken with a grain of salt, January 12, 2006
This book gives a relatively good overall view of transsexualism for people who know nothing about it, but with some serious flaws. The author's descriptions of the experience are based entirely on accounts from therapy clients and her approach is objective, too much so in many regards. She presents outdated information without any genuine effort to refute it, such as the old freudian psycho-model of "gender identity disorder." She also mentions the horrid "treatments" visited on transsexuals, such as "aversion therapy" and "shock treatments" with no mention of their obvious cruel inhumanity. Her statement that we can't "change the brain," is downright sickening, and she presents it as though science should actually strive toward that Stepford Wives solution to transsexualism.

In some cases, the author makes broad generalizations, giving the impression that they apply to all transsexuals. For example, she makes the assertion that most transsexuals come to the realization of their status only after reaching some "turning point," such as debilitating depression. I don't know of any accurate statistics, but her failure to point out those who experienced what Jamison Green spoke of in his book "Becoming a Visible Man" (lighting candle after candle in dark cave), may leave readers with the wrong impression. For some transsexuals, the realization slowly dawns over the course of a lifetime and the decision to seek transition isn't connected to some personal crisis.

Her vehement support of the arbitrary Standards of Care guidelines and assertion that "the system works" suggests a certain level of ignorance of the big picture. Where she mentions those who view therapists as gatekeepers, she gives the impression that she thinks they are being unreasonable. In truth, the arguments against the system are perfectly valid. It doesn't work for everyone. For some, their access to what they need is hindered by it. While there should be some system in place to make sure individuals are making informed decisions and are capable of doing so, mandatory timeframes can hurt those who have already finished processing and are ready to turn to the next chapter in their lives. The author seems to think that therapists should make the final decision about whether an individual is a "real transsexual" based on certain criteria that may not apply to all transsexuals.

Her short sections on the "real life test" basically ignore individuals who are physically incapable of passing without surgery and hormones. She ignores FTMs who've been dressing and behaving appropriate to their inner gender for years, but don't have the right bodies and faces to pass and are perceived as tomboyish women.

The author also shows disrespect for her clients by referring to MTFs as "he" and FTMs as "she," and frequently failing to use their chosen names. She also disrespects the trans community with repeated use of the term "gender identity disorder," which inaccurately represents transsexualism. The problem lies not in gender identity, but in the incongruity between mind and body. It is a medical condition, not a psychological one.

Overall, I recommend this book as an introduction to transsexualism only with great caution. Much of it is best taken with a grain of salt.
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive Eye-Opener, April 27, 2004
By Coleman Yee (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I've never had any personal encounters with transsexuals before and am not one myself, so my personal opinion of transsexualism was based on ignorance and second-hand opinions. I read this book out of pure curiosity.

Reading this book opened my eyes to the plight of what transsexuals have to go through, all throughout their lives. It also helped me see things from a different perspective.

The book is readible and sensitive, seeking for understanding rather than trying to defend.

I thus recommend this book to anyone who cares enough to try to understand the fellow human being, even though that fellow human being may be "different".

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good introduction of transsexuals for nearly everyone, July 17, 2006
By Koreen (United States) - See all my reviews
Transgendered persons, especially transsexuals, seem to be little understood by most people. There is still widespread ignorance, lack of understanding and prejudice against transsexuals. Some recent movies portraying transsexuals with understanding, empathy and tolerance, such as "Transamerica" and "Normal" should help many people better understand, tolerate and accept transsexuals.

This book "True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism - for Families, Friends, Coworkers and Helping Professionals," will likely reach a considerably smaller audience, but the book should help promote greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance for transsexuals. However, please remember this book is not intended to explain in great detail for transsexuals themselves the causes of being transsexuals primarily in my opinion related to events happening in the womb, the effects of hormones including a more comprehensive discussion of possible side effects, and a more thorough discussion of sex reassignment surgeries and how SRS might effect post-op transsexuals, including their sex lives.

I suggest many transsexuals may want to buy or recommend this book for family members, friends or co-workers who
may not be tolerant or show acceptance when they announce they feel trapped in the body of the wrong gender and want to physically become closer to their true gender identity.

While this book does not seem to be primarily intended for transsexuals, I think it might also be a very useful book for many transsexuals who are not especially familiar with many of the issues involved in hormone use, transition, adjusting at work, dealing with families and friends, etc., as well as may be helpful to many transgendered individuals who have transsexual tendencies and desires.

Mildred Brown and Chloe Ann Rounsley in this book clearly state the differences between transsexuals and other transgendered persons. They also discuss the wide variety in paths chosen by transsexuals. I would be surprised if many people realize only a minority of transsexuals go as far as sex reassignment surgery. Many transsexuals for various reasons do not take hormones and/or live in the role of the opposite gender and/or have sex reassignment surgery.

I highly recommend this book to nearly everyone to better understand transsexuals and hopefully help promote greater acceptance of transsexuals in the world.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Limited Knowledge
The author does a good job of providing background information on transexuals and describing the obtacles they face before, during, and after transition. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wendy

5.0 out of 5 stars great info
I was going to hi-light the interesting parts for reference, as it turns out ch 1 is now almost all yellow! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Michelle

5.0 out of 5 stars TRUE SELVES
This book is a very useful resource for individuals who are in the beginning of their transitioning. Read more
Published 2 months ago by kona

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must have Book for Friends and Families of Transgendered Persons
The book, True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism, is a well-written and informative tool. It is written through the eyes of a professional who seems to have such love and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Karen S. Williamson

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
This book is excellent as an introduction to the topic. It covers all the topics in a matter-of-fact kind of way.
Published 10 months ago by C. Thompson

5.0 out of 5 stars True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals
Definately a keeper in the FTM personal library. Filled with a lot of insight, and information in regards to any FTM considering transition, as well as answers for family... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Chason

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Transgenders
If you have a friend or family member who is transgender, this book will help you understand what they are going through.
Published 10 months ago by Silvia Bridger

4.0 out of 5 stars True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism
As a grandmother of a transgendered individual, I found this book very helpful. It is informative, unbiased and yet sympathetic to all persons involved in trying to understand... Read more
Published 10 months ago by JPH

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're sincere about understanding
I have purchased many copies of this book and have given them to my family members, friends, work and even neighbors who were curious about what drives someone like me to... Read more
Published 14 months ago by R. Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars Awsome book overall
My only complaint about this book is that all of the references and background deals with adult transexual people. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Kim Pearson

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