Upcoming events
Book
signing at the
Out and Equal Summit 2010 in Los Angeles,
California October 6-7 (tentative).
Presentation at
Fantasia Fair in Provincetown, Massachusetts
October 21 at 3:00 PM.
About the Book
Joanne Herman, a transgender woman who read everything in sight to
understand her own gender incongruity, has been helping others with her
non-complicated explanations of transgender for almost a decade. Now
she has written down her explanations for all to read in Transgender
Explained For Those Who Are Not. Organized by topic into short,
easy-to-read chapters, Transgender Explained is perfect for parents,
relatives, colleagues, friends, allies and even journalists who want to
quickly get up to speed on what it means to be transgender.
What Others Are Saying
Bay Area Reporter, "Trans Author Hopes Book
Will Help Others"
David Parker of PFLAG's Transgender Network (TNET), a national
parents' support group:
"I highly recommend Joanne Herman's new book,
Transgender Explained
For Those Who Are Not. It is the equivalent to sitting down with
your friend or neighbor for coffee and discussing the topic of
transgender comfortably with them. Easy reading yet thorough, this
inexpensive little book covers most of the major, immediate questions
in the Primer section, then adds some thoughts about more advanced
topics in the segment named - appropriately - "Advanced Topics." For
the parent of a transgender child - of any age - one of the most
difficult aspects of learning their child is transgender is coming out
to their families, coworkers, fellow parishioners, and friends. Ms.
Herman's book will be a great asset to these parents, as well as an
excellent introduction to the subject for those who read it. If you are
such a parent, buy several copies to hand out to your questioning
friends."
Sandra Samons, Ph.D, MSW, Michigan therapist specializing in
transgender:
"This is a wonderful book. I will be recommending it and in some cases
making my own copy available to loan to clients. I like the combination
of personal story integrated with sound information, and with excellent
references and resources. Information alone can be dry reading, so the
personal touch helps hold the reader's interest. The arrangement into
short articles on specific topics makes it an easy reference resource
for a family member or a transgender person who is breaking a path in
their own life. Even a therapist who is newly exposed to transgender
may find it a useful introduction to the topic. The fact that the book
itself is short means that a person who is unwilling to read something
lengthier may be willing to read this book and perhaps it will inspire
that person to read further on this subject."
TransOhio, January 2010 issue:
"[Joanne] is able to successfully state her observations, experiences,
and opinions all without the emotional attachment that often
accompanies any weighted subject matter to which the speaker has an
interest in the outcome. It is that precision of factual writing
combined with compassionate explanations that makes this a safe read
for a non-transperson. She does not exercise an undignified demand for
dignity that could make the process more difficult [to learn] how to
relate to gender nonconformists."
Dana Beyer, MD, Maryland:
"It still takes a great deal of skill to transmit wisdom to a wide
audience in an engaging style, and Joanne has been able to pull it off
beautifully ... a primer, written in an elegant yet clear prose, one
which is not dumbed down but engages people on a mature level. We often
slight those who transition along with us - spouse, parents, children,
neighbors and friends, colleagues - which is very unfortunate and needs
to be rectified. Joanne's book goes a very long way to correcting that
lack, and I thank her for it."
Harvey J. Makadon, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard
Medical School and Director of Professional Education, The Fenway
Institute:
"Medical training leaves most woefully unprepared to understand the
complexities of the lives of gender minorities. I certainly found this
to be true myself. Joanne Herman has a great deal to teach us in her
book. Hearing her personal reflections opens the door to truly being
able to understand those you care for, and how best to care for them.
Joanne's book is an invaluable resource."
Pamela Misener, M.Ed., Assistant Dean, Office of Pluralism and
Leadership, Dartmouth College:
"Whether in the classroom, boardroom, or dining hall, Joanne Herman is
met with excitement, enthusiasm and gratitude for her keen ability to
take us through the rich complexities of gender with skill, patience,
wit, and wisdom."
The Rev. Ms. Ann B. Day, Open and Affirming Program Coordinator,
United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns (1987-2007):
"Joanne Herman is a one-woman panel! In these pages, she shares her
perspectives as a business woman, activist, and church member who is
transgender, providing a primer of basic facts, thought-provoking
ideas, and helpful resources about gender-identity. Happily, she is
able to translate her warm, open, in-person style to the written page.
If she's speaking at a location near you, go-if not, this book is the
next best thing!"
About Author Joanne Herman
After almost half a century living as a male, Joanne Herman
transitioned in 2002 to live as a female in order to resolve a gender
incongruity she had felt for as long as she remembers. She has since
been active as a spokeswoman for transgender awareness and
understanding.
Joanne is the first transgender person ever elected the Boards of
Directors of Fenway Health, Point Foundation, and GLAD. She is the
first openly transgender member of the congregation of Old South Church
in Boston (United Church of Christ), the same church where Benjamin
Franklin was baptized and Samuel Adams served as a deacon. And she is
one of the first openly transgender alumnae of Dartmouth College, as a
graduate of the last all-male class. Dartmouth's then-President Jim
Wright awarded her a Class of 1975 diploma in her new name in 2006.
Joanne holds a BA in Government and Economics from Dartmouth and an
MS/MBA from Northeastern University. She is currently Financial
Controller at New England Foundation for the Arts and lives in Boston
with her fiancee, Theresa (Terry) Fallon. Joanne is also fluent in
French and an avid bowler.
More:
Mutual
Transformation from March/April 2007 Dartmouth College Alumni
Magazine.
Speaker's
bio.
Table of Contents
THE PRIMER
1. The Basics: What It Means to be Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming
2. Sub-Groups Under the Transgender Umbrella
3. Intersex
4. Prevalence: There Are More of Us Than You Think
5. "Stealth": Out of One Closet and Into Another
6. If it's Not a Mental Illness, Why is it Still in the DSM?
7. Common Procedures Male-to-Female
8. Common Procedures Female-to-Male
9. Transgender Children
10. Discrimination: "Transgender? You're Fired!"
11. Forced "Out": A Real ID Problem for Transgender People
12. Political Correctness: "Please Don't Call Me Tranny"
13. Corporate Acceptance
14. Transgender Success Stories
ADVANCED TOPICS
15. Gender Transition Regret
16. Is It Deception or Just Being Prudent?
17. Religion and Transgender People
18. Transgender People on the Small Screen
19. Sexism and Transgender People
20. Feminism and Transgender People
21. Transgender People and LGBT Board Involvement
MY STORY
22. How I Got Started Writing
23. Mutual Transformation: My Return to My All-Male College
24. My Faith Story
25. Reflections on Five Years in My New Life
26. On Family Acceptance
27. I'm Engaged!
RESOURCES
28. Ten Books I Recommend
29. Tips for Talking With a Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming Person
30. Web Resources
How to Purchase
Available in paperback from publisher
AuthorHouse, on Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com,
Borders.com, or at your local retailer.
Also available as an e-book from
AuthorHouse.
Booksellers and libraries - order ISBN 978-1-4490-2957-9
- through Ingram's Books In Print database
- directly from the publisher at www.authorhouse.com
- through the book ordering hotline 1-800-280-7715.
Free Previews
Chapter 1 "The Basics: What It Means to be Transgender or Gender
Non-Conforming"
In the next eight hundred or so words, I'll summarize the key things
you need to know. I'll include references in the text where another
chapter in my book provides more information on a particular topic. But
if you read only one chapter, this is the one to read.
Let's start with terminology. Individuals with an alternate gender
identity (how you feel) and/or gender expression (how you look and act)
often get referred to as "transgender" for expediency.
Unfortunately, because of the stigma associated with any adjective
beginning with "trans," many people affected by issues related to their
gender identity or expression nonetheless deny being transgender. These
people include the man or boy whose feminine behavior provokes catcalls
or bullying, the masculine woman or girl who gets harassed when she
uses the ladies' room, the gay individual who occasionally dresses in
drag (in clothes of the opposite gender), and the intersex (Chapter 3)
person born with any one of a number of conditions that make their
anatomical sex inconsistent or ambiguous.
Those who are more classically included under the transgender umbrella
(Chapter 2) include transsexuals who transition genders as I did,
heterosexual cross-dressers who have an opposite gender presentation
only part of the time, and genderqueer people who have a unique gender
presentation all of the time.
Sexual orientation (who you love) has no relation to any of this. As an
example, I am still attracted to women in my new life while my two best
friends, also trans women, are now attracted to men. I am therefore gay
but my friends are straight.
What is the prevalence (Chapter 4) of transgenderism and gender
non-conformity? For many years, all we had to go on were the low
numbers from the American Psychiatric Association dating from the
decades-old beginnings of transgender understanding. But trans woman
Prof. Lynn Conway, a brilliant computer scientist who developed
technology used in most computers today, applied her analytical smarts
a few years ago to come up with a better estimate: 1.5 percent of the
population, or fifteen people per thousand in the population. Comparing
with the Williams Institute's latest statistic for gay/lesbian
prevalence, that's one person for every three gay/lesbian people.
If that seems too high, it could be because transgender people have
been highly closeted in the past. Those who transitioned genders often
chose to live "stealth" (Chapter 5) in their new gender-never admitting
to being transgender-because of safety concerns, societal stigma, and
prejudice. And as GenderPAC executive director, Riki Wilchins, observed
in a 2008 Advocate.com commentary, even the gay rights movement
previously forced gender-nonconforming gays into hiding to make the
argument "that we are 'just like everyone else' except that we sleep
with same-sex partners."
Part of the stigma about being trans comes from the fact that gender
identity disorder is still in the American Psychiatric Association's
catalog of mental disorders. Why hasn't it been removed given that
homosexuality was removed in 1973? Because for those of us who need
hormones and surgery to feel authentic in our new genders,
paternalistic medical guidelines (Chapter 6) still require a GID
diagnosis. Some believe that the diagnosis enables doctors to provide
treatment when they might fear accusations of malpractice without it.
Another source of the stigma is what I call MIDS: Man in a Dress
Syndrome (Chapter 16). Women were essentially required thirty years ago
to cross-dress-in masculine-looking skirt suits-to gain entrance into
corporate America. But even today, when a man puts on the clothes of a
woman, he is immediately presumed less capable. Sadly, this is not the
only way in which overt sexism (Chapter 19) skews perceptions of
transgender people.
Only 37 percent of Americans live in areas explicitly banning
discrimination (Chapter 10) based on gender identity and expression
according to the latest statistic from the National Center for
Transgender Equality. In areas lacking protection, a simple no-match
letter (Chapter 11) from the Social Security Administration stating
that the gender in its database does not match the one you listed in
your employment application can provoke your employer to fire you.
That's sad, because transgender people can be very capable employees.
There are many success stories (Chapter 14). Fortunately, acceptance in
corporate America (Chapter 13) is growing rapidly. The Corporate
Equality Index of the Human Rights Campaign has registered stunning
increases in the number of major U.S. businesses banning discrimination
based on gender identity and expression. If there is such a groundswell
of support, why then did lawmakers exclude gender identity and
expression from the 2008 House bill (called ENDA) to outlaw employment
discrimination?
The answer is that conservative religious activists have been busy
learning everything about transgenderism and gender non-conformity so
they can twist the facts and scare the lawmakers. Legislators need to
know that trans issues are not a new ploy in the "homosexual agenda."
Quite the contrary: Transgender people were visible in everyday life in
the Bible (Chapter 17), along with evidence that Jesus wanted us
included too.
From Chapter 15 "Gender Transition Regret"
... But the worriers need to look at the big picture. Any gender
transition, whether it involves surgery or not, is a major life change.
It impacts details of your daily life far beyond the wearing of a
different wardrobe, especially if it includes the loss of ties to loved
ones, loss of work, or the need to move. Transgender people respond to
any major change just like the population at large does. Some navigate
change with incredible resilience, many have their ups and downs, and a
few are positively consumed by it.
Transitioning also makes you a member of a minority group, perhaps for
the first time. Like racial and ethnic minorities, transgender people
often cannot hide their "uniqueness" and as a result can face
discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public
accommodation. Of course, if you are a transgender person and a member
of a racial or ethnic minority, expect your challenges to be
compounded.
You also have a problem unique to the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgender) minority group. That is, few (if any) members of your
family share your minority status. In a racial or ethnic minority at
least the family stands with you as a minority, while as an LGBT
individual family solidarity is not assured. In fact, one or more
family members may even become the most ardent "opponent(s)" of your
transition, out of supposed love and concern for you. ...
Updates Since the Book was Published
See
Joanne's blog on
The
Huffington Post for all of her writings since the book was
published.
How to
purchase
Back to the
top
::: Copyright 2006-2010 Joanne Herman / Cover Photo: Mark Ostow
Photography :::
Transgender
Explained For Those Who Are Not