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He
or She Book
This book digs deep into the phenomena of cross-dressing and transsexuality.
It aims to explore and answer in a very practical way, ALL the questions
that are asked about this often misunderstood but steadily growing phenomena,
including :- Why? Who does it? How long has this been going on? How do
they do it? And :- Is it a sexual turn on?
After 12 years of
researching and writing the series of annual 'Tranny Guide' books, and
meeting 1000,s of transgender people whilst hosting London's 'WayOut Club',
editor Vicky Lee has concentrated all her experience into this … one off,
full colour, 192 page book, containing 1000,s of pictures. Vicky has supplemented
her own thoughts and her frank, (and often witty), auto biography with
a range of experiences from others around the world, including female
partners of those that "dress". Vicky then goes on to show the wide range
of creativity that is so often released in association with the transgender
experience and the opportunities to "get out" and enjoy the growing transgender
scene.
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REVIEW
in REPARTEE MAGAZINE Issue 52
By
Charlotte
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"The
view is better when you're on the fence"
" Vicky Lee is one of the most important figures on the TG scene
having published the annual WayOut Tranny Guide since 1992. (Now the Transgender
A to Z). The Guide is the Tranny 'bible' filled with useful advice, advertisements
and details of clubs, pubs, shops and services which are all 'tranny friendly'.
It is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and detailed guide to Trannydom
on the planet and is as essential as a wig for any short haired tranny
- talking of which I purchased my last two wigs from a shop called Suzy's
that advertises in the Guide and had a make-up lesson at Charles Fox on
the recommen- dation of the Guide. Vicky also runs the WayOut Club in
London which has become a Mecca for trannies.
With
her latest publication. He or She? Vicky Lee takes a slightly different
stance; instead of a direc- tory and reference book, she has published
a more reflective and thoughtful 192 page tome on what it means to be
transgender. Interspersed, amongst the numerous superb quality, colour
photos are personal profiles, views on sexuality and organi- sational
profiles as well as advice on feminising the body, dressing up and stepping
out - i.e. the sound, practical advice with which tranny's who read the
Way Out Guide will be familiar.
It
is, however, Vicky Lee's own story which is of greatest interest for she
has interjected her auto- biography between the various sections and it
shows her to be a warm, caring individual who is a true 'heroine' of the
TG community. Vicky Lee has worked tirelessly on the Guide and at man-
aging the WayOut Club where she still performs most Saturday nights. Her
story is very refreshing and optimistic - the caveat being that her family
rejected her when she came out as transgender. Even so, she and her partner
Lesley have lived their lives to the full and through their work have
helped many a tranny.
Apart
from Vicky Lee's auto-biography (which I would have liked to have been
longer) I found the personal profiles to be the most interesting - they
demonstrate the great diversity within the TG community and the different
motivations for dressing. Also, as a happily married TV, I found the section
on relationships very insightful - it was fascinating for my wife and
I to read the thoughts and reflections of other women who have TV partners.
Above
all though, the book is a celebration and inspiration; Vicky Lee rejoices
in her sexuality and wants others to rejoice in theirs. I highly recom-
mend this book ... there is so much packed into this slim 'Way Out' sized
volume you are guar- anteed to learn something new - whether old or young,
a debutante on the TV scene or an old lag - and, if by chance, you do
not possess a copy of the Transgender A to Z, then rush out and buy yourself
one, it really is an essential reference book for all TGs.
Charlotte
OTHER
REVIEWS
"Many university
courses study gender and this book is essential reading - can I add it
to my course reading list?" Peter Erkart - Professor of sociology
at Exeter and The Open universities
“I
couldn’t have said it better myself, nor illustrated it so beautifully.”
--
Alice Novic, M.D., advice columnist and author of Alice in Genderland
- California USA
"What a great book!
It is a treasure trove of valuable material for transgendered people and
those who support them. Well done!" Bernard Reed - Trustee, Gender
Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES)
"Initial
thought....fabulous. Your best yet. There is so much more of YOU in this
book which is what is really wanted I think. Well done yet again!!" Jodie
Lynn - The Boudoir Dressing Service for boyz that want to be gurlz.
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Vicky Lee has published
one book each year for 12 years but this book is very different to Vicky's
previous books ? Let Vicky explain:
"After finishing
the 12th edition of my Annual 'Transgender Guide' I started to think about
the 13th edition. However, maybe for the first time I realised that what
I should be doing is promoting the 12th book. I visited the USA. I met
many people and listened carefully to their thoughts. I met other publishers
and authors. I met owners of shops (Thank you John from Glamour Boutique).
I reflected on their thoughts. What could I do to further improve this
series of books? How can I bring transgender to the attention of more
people? I concluded that I must create a SUPER book and thereafter promote
it to a wider readership."
So in this book what
will we find?
Vicky explains ...
"I feel I have
never had enough space in my previous books to include the amount of experience
that others and myself have to offer. In this 'one off' book I have finally
allocated the space and told my story in MUCH more detail. Alongside my
experience I have gathered many others thoughts who have been so candid
and generous in their contributions. There are Biographies (including
my own), Personal Profiles, Reflective thoughts on many subjects plus
1000.s of pictures
…… My previous
books have always listed and reported; events, shops, services and places
to go - in the UK and world-wide. In this book 'He or She' I offer photo
spreads called 'The World is your Oyster' these are just an introduction
to a world of opportunities
…… However at the
same time as launching this book, I am introducing a new and improved
service. 'Transgender AtoZ' is a new annual publication that concentrates
on Reports, Reviews and Listings from around the world. This publication
at a cover price of just £9.95, I hope, will fulfil the requests I received
for a more comprehensive 'travel guide' and a return to a listing format
for the whole world."
"I
really liked the TG AtoZ book you sent me (I had a profile in it). Keep
up the good work - you are really helping a lot of trans folks worldwide!"
- Michelle
Zee USA
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