I really enjoyed this book. I found out about it from a friend that sent me a link from Alan Rose’s blog. He had done a book review that included Beyond Magenta Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin and another book. Because of his review I bought them both and his latest book and I will eventually read all of them.
What I liked about the book was that each chapter was a different story. The stories were kept simple, probably because each person was still a minor but their stories are powerful as each teenager learns and shares their knowledge with their interviewer.
“Sexual orientation has nothing to do with gender identity. There are gay transgenders and there are straight transgenders.” Chapter 2 Christina Every Girl is Different
Many times there were pictures of the teens before and after, as they transitioned. I appreciated this because I could see how they felt more at ease in themselves as they began to see themselves as how they really felt they were on the inside. There was still healing that had to happen but it was starting and that was inspiring to me.
“The guys I’m interested in are down-lows, DL’s. That’s somebody that says they are not gay, but participate in gay activities, or are confused. Down-lows are basically gay guys still in the closet. They’re people who live double lives or deny they are gay. Those are the guys I went out with.” Chapter 3 Mariah The Real Deal
There was one story that really touched me. There is a gender that we don’t talk about or celebrate; but it is real. Intersex is when a child is born with both male and female markers, whether is both sets of genitals or with both sets of reproductive organs inside their body or they have both sets of chromosomes. It might not be apparent on the outside of their body, but may be more apparent as they get older. One of the teens in this book looked like a girl on the outside of their body, but they always felt like they were both male and female. When they started menstruating at 17 years old, for only 2 months, their mother took them to the doctor, where by sonogram they found that the teen had both sets of reproductive organs inside. The mother could not accept this. However the teen felt relief because it helped them to understand why they had always felt they way they did. I am not intersex, but I do understand not being validated. I really feel for this teen. I know that if I were to adopt an intersex child, I would teach them to be strong and allow them to accept themselves and I would also give them space to talk to me about choices they needed to make to feel safe, happy and whole in their body.
I got this book from my own collection. You can get your own copy of Beyond Magenta Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin on Amazon.
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Read My Review on GoodReads:
Beyond Magenta: Transgender and Nonbinary Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very well written. Easy to empathize with each person’s story. Important stories to read about.
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My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven.
For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information.
If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:
Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.
I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.
I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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