The subjects vary greatly, -- both FTM's and MTF's, intersexed persons, cross-dressers, adults and children, several from other countries, some with physical disabilities, and from all walks of life. But all are stories of profound caring, stories of pioneering families who put love above all else and come out accepting, even celebrating the courage and specialness of their transgenered loved ones.
Several chapters include the following:
- A mother's description of her "daughter's" third birthday when the child is dismayed to find a lacey dress from her grandmother. She tells her mother she isn't the kind of child who likes dresses (she hadn't willingly worn one since age 2), and added, "Just tell grandma I'm a boy." This child has persisted and is now a pre-teen, living full-time as a happy, athletic, and very bright boy.
- An Iranian mother's story about her different, depressed and suicidal "son", who was persistently abused outside the home. "He" was eventually correctly diagnosed in Iran, but was brought here for better resources and social acceptance. The former son is now living happily as a woman.
- A mother and father's joint writing about their unhappy daughter, who eventually became their son -- and an amusing story about his achieving a **legal** gay marriage (also Jewish/Catholic) in a state that does not allow even a postoperative transsexual to change his birth certificate.
- A long-term spouse writes that going through the transgender process with one's spouse is often like going through the five stages of grief. She then vividly describes each stage --Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and finally Acceptance-- and her invaluable learnings gained through a lengthy couseling process.
- A spouse in a long term marriage, which has parented ten children -- two "home made" and eight special needs adopted children -- writes of her spouses process from crossdresser, through ransition, to full-time womanhood. She also describes the humor of their situation; once while shopping, their Afro-American child ran after the white woman walking ahead shouting, "Hay, Daddy!"
- A fifteen year old English girl writes a letter to her "father", telling him that she and her Mum have decided he should proceed with his transition because they know it's important to him and they will adjust. But the school counselor doesn't know anything about this kind of situation. "Please, Daddy, will you get me some help?" (She has written since publication that she and Emily are doing just fine.)
The book also includes a glossary, a current list of trans organizations and a trans-family reading list. Several essays, --an Introduction by Jessica Xavier, Foreword by Robert Berstein, and Preface by the editor about her own family experiences, --round out this highly informative book. The added short and humorous quips and butterflies flitting throughout make it an easy read. It is predicted to be a best seller within the trans community and is certainly ideal for families of all kinds of transgendered persons.
