Gender: being true to yourself?

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

gender identity

A fraught assumption

Out walking I had a long conversation with someone about gender.… Read more

Free to be who you really are…

“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 Épicène has 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

An Undeniable Truth

At the heart of the trans identity is a conviction that they have a right to assert and be recognised for a gender that does not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth. What is the nature of this conviction and how does it stand up to being challenged?Read more

When is a girl not a girl?

The division between boy and girl is not as immutable as many would have us believe. Yet, in the rigid adherence to their beliefs such people can inflict great harm as this extract from Colourful People illustrates.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

The division between boy and girl may seem self-evident, biologically speaking.… Read more

From cosplay to crossdressing, a question of reality?

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

crossdressing

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

Adding a touch of colour…

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