Transitions - A Guide To Transitioning for Transsexuals and Their Families [Paperback]

Mara Drummond (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2009

Having a gender identity that conflicts with one's physical gender is a huge emotional burden. The anxiety, stress and depression that can result from having such a conflict can push a person to the point where everything in life that is held dear is risked to undertake one of the hardest challenges a human being can make: transitioning from one gender to the other. If you have an incongruent gender identity and are considering a gender transition to bring peace to your life, Transitions will help you understand all the implications of the journey you are about to undertake. Transitions will guide you through the transition process from end to end, teaching you how to come out to friends and family, maintain employment, manage transition finances, deal with sex and religion, plan your physical changes, pass and fit in as a member of your new gender, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: lulu.com (February 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0557052610
• ISBN-13: 978-0557052615
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #362,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 17, 2010

By 

Tracy (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Transitions - A Guide To Transitioning for Transsexuals and Their Families (Paperback)

Mara Christine Drummond has done an excellent job with this book. As I read this book, I saw so much of myself in there, so much of what I have dealt with. Sentences, that I have said to people that were nearly word for word. I highly recommend this book. There were times where I was laughing, times I was somber and times I was crying---such as the last paragraph in the book. Mara, I SO agree with that parargraph, I could not have said it better myself! This is a well thought out book, that is a must read for anyone that is considering transitioning. It is an easy and informative read, and she, at minimum, touches on all things and feelings that we deal with, either daily or at some point during our transition. Mara, you had my emotions flowing! Thank you for writing this book!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine book about an unusual and difficult journey., February 19, 2011

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Elaine M. (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Transitions - A Guide To Transitioning for Transsexuals and Their Families (Paperback)

Mara Christine Drummond has written a fine book that offers understanding, support and advice for those whose cognitive (mental) gender does not match their physical gender. It is known as "gender dysphoria," or "gender incongruity," also "transsexualism," and affects about one man in 40,000. In her book Ms. Drummond also addresses female-to-male transsexualism, which is even less common.

Author Drummond defines terms and has practical suggestions, based on her own experience of lifelong gender distress and her decision in 2008 to transition from male to female. She offers strategies for disclosing one's true gender preference to one's spouse, parents, siblings, children, friends, coworkers, even strangers. She emphasizes good counseling and writes, "With the help of my first therapist and friend, I found inner strength I did not know I had, and learned to accept that I was a good person regardless of the fact that I had an incongruent gender identity."

Changing one's gender is not an easy path, and Ms. Drummond doesn't pull punches. She describes "[an] unimaginally difficult road that starts with the utterance of 'I think I'm transsexual' to someone you love." She describes "this incredibly hard commitment and transformation," and, "Transitioning carries with it many hardships, physical pain, and at times, great sorrows." She also discloses the financial cost of her transition, which over three years included several facial feminization surgeries, as well as gender reassignment surgery, and finally came to over six figures. Mara Drummond, as a man, fathered two daughters and, as a grievous additional cost, lost two marriages after he disclosed his true gender preference to his spouses, and the need to act upon it.

Ms. Drummond also stresses the positive aspects of her choice. "What is life like after transition? It just feels right!... What I have is an incredible feeling that my body is finally proper. When I walk nude in front of a full-length mirror, I feel content and happy... I feel very good inside... If transitioning has done nothing else for me, it definitely gave me the courage to overcome my greatest fears, and instilled in me an immense sense of self-pride and self-worth."

She ends with, "finding inner peace should be the goal of everyone who has an incongruent gender indentity," and, "Most of all, I hope you find peace within yourself and within your life."

This is a worthwhile book for anyone contemplating this difficult but liberating journey.

4 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Transitions, December 11, 2010

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Karen - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Transitions - A Guide To Transitioning for Transsexuals and Their Families (Paperback)

Very disappointing. Nothing but banality and platitude. Anyone who has come this far, far enough to be seriously considering transition, needs specific help dealing with issues surrounding family, counselling, medical support, and so on. There is nothing here beyond the obvious. A waste of money. A waste of paper. A waste of ink.