AUTHOR PROFILE
Gina Large was born in 1947 but did not exist as "Gina" until 2001.
She was, as she describes in this book, imprisoned all of those years in a state of anxiety, confusion and at times desperation. In a man named Graham.
Now in 2002 Gina is a pre-op transsexual, exploring her femininity and her sexual opportunities. She retains masculine genitalia. She retains a strong relationship (but not a home) with her wife and mother of her two children. She retains a good relationship with her children. She walks a tightrope with her employers. She is estranged from previous (and supposed) friends, brother and sister.
I give you all of this personal detail as each of us has SUCH a different life experience and therefore when writing a book each of us will come from a very different direction.
BOOK CONTENTS
Half of this book is an auto biography detailing what Gina describes as a reluctant journey of self discovery. Gina writes of G (that is her male self Graham) very much in the 3rd party as if she were another person observing G from a far. Early years and middle years are described but the detail becomes most intense when she describes the emerging Gina "escaping" the prison that is Graham at the age of 54.
Gina's experience leads her to believe there is a widespread prejudice, blind ignorance and hostility which persists against transsexuals which is rooted in a basic lack of understanding. You can judge if this is true from reading her experiences.
Now however after her own steep learning curve Gina has taken the cathartic step of writing not only her own experience but (to break the cycle) writes her understanding in the second half of her book through essays on a wide range of TG related subjects including what is gender dysphoria, what is the difference between tv and ts, man or woman, talking to partners, children, parents and family, she goes on to provide practical advice that she has researched on subjects including hormones, gender surgery.
Gina also includes an appendix of articles by
View point from (transsexual) Jennifer Reitz,
(UK political activist organisation) Press for Change
UK law ref discrimination in employment
UK law ref change of name
UK listings of help and advice resources with acknowledgement to Chrissy Wild
A speech made by Gina at Gendys International 2002
Feedback after the speech by North Wales Police
Counseling notes by Helen Gina Counselor
SUMMARY
223 pages of well researched thought and advice and a life story that is summarised well by A.T from Manchester after reading the manuscript who wrote
"I was moved to tears. You truly have a story that must be and should be told"
and of course it has been told and is now available for you to read. |
