Under the common banner of LGBT, the first 3 categories are about sexual orientation, whereas the T is about gender identity. This difference has far reaching implications as does the diversity of identities and expressions cohabiting as transgender.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
A fraught assumption
Out walking I had a long conversation with someone about gender.… Read more
“Real freedom is being free to be who we really are” says Épicène quoting Don Miguel Ruiz. But who are you? And are you free to be that person in public?
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Real freedom
The transgender association Épicènehas chosen to highlight a quote from the Mexican author, Don Miguel Ruiz, who says (my translation), “Real freedom is being free to be who we really are.” … Read more
Crossdressing is a widespread practice that is little understood. The male-to-female crossdresser, who differs from a transgender woman, has a palette of roles to chose from. But what impact does this playing with apearences have on our relationship to reality?
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Playing roles
You could say we are all playing roles in our lives, if only by unconsciously limiting our behaviour and dress to conform with the expectations that go with a profession or a role as husband, wife, parent or whatever… But for some people the roles they play and how they dress for them are more consciously and deliberately fashioned and acted out.… Read more
When a boy who dresses as a girl, but has no wish to transition, is confronted with a boisterous crowd of transgender youth in search of a safe haven.
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
From a boy lost in a book to…
At the beginning of October last year I started writing The Boy in the Book, fascinated by the way we move in an out of stories of our own and others’ making.… Read more
Trust or the absence of it can make or break someone when young especially if sexuality is involved. In this letter, Kate talks to a friend about trust, abuse and gender identity. These letters were written in August 1960 between the end ofIn Search of Lost Girls and the beginning of We Girls.… Read more
It is one thing to fantasise and to take pleasure at what he imagined, but it was quite different to live such a dream. Circumstances forced Peter to walk the streets of his old town dressed as a girl… Read this extract from We Girls.… Read more
Two young teenagers, Peter and Fi, are on the towpath beside the river Frayne in the following extract from Boy & Girl.But what is the unspoken question Peter answers? You’ll have to read the book to find out… but know that it might not be what you think.… Read more
I have just completed the first draft of We Girls Show the Way, my 14th novel, the third in the Boy & Girl saga. When I began writing this new novel some five months ago, I was sure it would be all about Peter’s dilemma with gender.… Read more