Reviews and Comments

Well, that was a weird one. I have mixed feelings about this book, particularly the fact that the layout seems broken in many places (pictures and information blocks are often misplaced and match topics discussed five pages earlier or later). Being trans, a lot of the history was fairly familiar; one thing the book does really well is placing those facts in the larger historical context (as well as their relative context). I find it extremely jarring that the book uses the term transsexual to refer to people that undergo medical transition for most of the book (though to be fair, the fluidity of terminology is explicitly addressed at the start of the book). The main thing I'd say I've learned is just how transphobic the American* LGB-movement was throughout the years, which puts current day developments in a new perspective.

After the time covered by the book (which is basically the time the second edition was published - it covers 2008-2016 quite extensively, though not as much wish a historical lens), I'd say the major developments are changes to the supreme court and rescinding Roe v. Wade; the increasing escalation of transphobia in the vein of TERF island (as the UK is now known as in this context) and the alliances between gender critical people, conservatives and neonazi groups; and finally the growing international importance of this issue and growing connectivity between antisemitic and transphobic conspiracies (e.g., Putin explicitly addressing the issue).

• I point to American specifically here because the book explicitly covers American history