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The Man Who Would Be Queen: The Science of Gender-Bending and Transsexualism Hardcover – International Edition, March 10, 2003

by J. Michael Bailey (Author)

112 customer reviews

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Hardcover, International Edition, March 10, 2003

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Gay. Straight. Or lying. Itâ€™s as simple and straightforward as black or white, right? Or is there a gray area, where the definitions of sex and gender become blurred or entirely refocused with the deft and practiced use of a surgeonâ€™s knife? For some, the concept of gender â€" the very idea we have of ourselves as either male or female beings â€" is neither simple nor straightforward.

Written by cutting-edge researcher and sex expert J. Michael Bailey, The Man Who Would Be Queen is a frankly controversial, intensely poignant, and boldly forthright book about sex and gender. Based on his original research, Baileyâ€™s book is grounded firmly in science. But as he demonstrates, science doesnâ€™t always deliver predictable or even comfortable answers. Indeed, much of what he has to say will be sure to generate as many questions as it does answers.

Are gay men genuinely more feminine than other men? And do they really prefer to be hairdressers rather than lumberjacks? Are all male transsexuals women trapped in menâ€™s bodies â€" or are some of them men who are just plain turned on by the idea of becoming a woman? And how much of a role do biology and genetics play in sexual orientation?

But while Baileyâ€™s science is provocative, it is the portraits of the boys and men who struggle with these questions â€" and often with anger, fear, and hurt feelings â€" that will move you. You will meet Danny, an eight-year old boy whose favorite game is playing house and who yearns to dress up as a princess for Halloween. And Martin, an expert makeup artist who was plagued by inner turmoil as a youth but is now openly homosexual and has had many men as sex partners. And Kim, a strikingly sexy transsexual who still has a penis and works as a dancer and a call girl for men who like she-males while she awaits sex reassignment surgery.

These and other stories make it clear that there are men â€" and men who become women â€" who want only to understand themselves and the society that makes them feel like outsiders. That there are parents, friends, and families that seek answers to confusing and complicated questions. And that there are researchers who hope one day to grasp the very nature of human sexuality. As the striking cover image â€" a distinctly muscular and obviously male pair of legs posed in a pair of low-heeled pumps â€" makes clear, the concept of gender, the very idea we have of ourselves as either male or female beings, is neither simple nor straightforward for some.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An associate professor of psychology at Northwestern University, Bailey writes with assuredness that often makes difficult, abstract material-the relationship between sexual orientation and gender affect, the origins of homosexuality and the theoretical basis of how we discuss sexuality-comprehensible. He also, especially in his portraits of the women and men he writes about, displays a deep empathy that is frequently missing from scientific studies of sexuality. But Bailey's scope is so broad that when he gets down to pivotal constructs, as in detailing the data of scientific studies such as Richard Green's about "feminine boys" or Dean Hamer's work on the so-called "gay gene," the material is vague, and not cohesive. Bailey tends towards overreaching, unsupported generalizations, such his claim that "regardless of marital laws there will always be fewer gay men who are romantically attached" or that the African-American community is "a relatively anti-gay ethnic minority." Add to this the debatable supposition that innate "masculine" and "feminine" traits, in the most general sense of the words, decidedly exist, and his account as a whole loses force.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...a highly interesting and very worthwhile book. In fact once I started I had difficulty putting down!" -- GLIP (Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology) News, August 2003

"...interesting and provocative... Bailey has written a book worth reading." -- Frontiers, March 14, 2003

"...recommended reading for anyone interested in the study of gender identity and sexual orientation. ... a thoughtful book..." -- Out Magazine, March 2003

"...the first scientifically grounded book about male femininities written for a general audience." -- James Cantor, PhD, in the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues (American Psychological Association) newsletter, summer 2003

"Compassionate without attempting to be politically correct... It will interest anyone with curiosity about the variety of human sexuality." -- The Times (London), December 6, 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Hardcover: 249 pages
Publisher: Joseph Henry Press (March 10, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0309084180
ISBN-13: 978-0309084185
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
Average Customer Review: 112 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #764,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1310 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Sexuality
- #1405 in Books > Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Books > LGBT Studies
- #1970 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gender Studies > General

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I enjoyed this book

April 9, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I disagree with the general concept as it is as broad a diagnosis as "fever" was claimed to be even after claiming sub-catagories of autogynephiliacs. However, there are certainly plenty of transsexuals who fit the bill. Yet I find it convenient and even simplistic to state many lie if even unconsciously about their experience when they don't describe the expected experience. What about the closeted homosexual who comes out later in life? Who then happens to be the rare homosexual transsexual out of that group of late acceptors? Oh yea, that is right, they are making it up to get a neo-vagina. Seems implausible enough to me that it can't be so easily dismissed even if we know of amputee fetishes. Again comparing the two is again like the fever argument in that lots of symptoms seem the same but in fact are very different. I think with time, as transsexualism becomes more understood and seen for the real problem it is rather than a mental issue or a blasphemy to some religious affected societies, you will see less late transitioners as more find the courage to transition younger and more importantly their families don't dictate some forced gender expectations on them so they can appear normal at PTA meetings and church functions as the ignore the real sins they themselves commit if judging themselves by the same archaic laws.

Still, the book is worthy and has great info and a good deal of transsexuals do fall into these catagories. Plus the author rightfully admits, there is no other method to save lives of at least improve them for transsexuals. There in fact has been plenty of mental therapy research, lack or a therapy based cure does not mean lack if research. Plus lobotomies were once touted as the cure, and there are plenty of zealots who think suicide is a better cure than aiding human beings. Also not providing private insurance assistance is no different than denying anyone else with a birth defect, and is wrong. Again, with no other known cure this is often life saving and even health improving treatment typical saving insurance companies money in the long run which will be more obvious now as more disenfranchised individuals have coverage under the new health laws.

If you want to understand transsexualism, even with these criticisms this book is a must read.

8 people found this helpful

Comment

Honest, scholarly writing

March 22, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Scholarly, yet easy-to-read and entertaining discussion of the science behind transsexualism. The simple fact that it makes some transgender activists' heads explode should be reason enough to read it. The author is to be commended for openly discussing the side of transsexualism that many would prefer to whitewash.

41 people found this helpful

Comment

Should be commended for daring to tell the truth about the sexual arousal component of "transgenderism"

December 17, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

From personal experience, his description of autogynephilia is dead on. It is truly a sexual fetish that can become obsessive to the point that a man is willing to neglect his wife and children in pursuit of the next sexual high that pretending to be a hyper-femme, misogynistic caricature of a woman gives him.

34 people found this helpful

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A fascinating, frank, and compassionate look at an interesting topic

April 19, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I've given this book 5 stars because it is such an honest and at times touching look at a subject that is difficult to talk about frankly, especially in this political environment. Other reviewers have said that the book is fundamentally anecdotal, and this is true. However, many liberals and academics make claims, often categorical claims, about the nature of sex, gender, and sexual orientation. The anecdotes presented in this book, if true, refute those sweeping claims by way of falsification. In the same way that, if I could levitate using the power of my mind, I would call into question our current theories of gravity, these anecdotes likewise call into question the politically correct understanding of gender.

I was also surprised at how compassionate the book is. Because the author does not seek to normalize what is abnormal, or hide suffering that is politically inconvenient, we get a picture of various individuals that is often extremely moving. The book is a good read and I recommend it to anyone interested in the topic, especially if you suspect that the current political orthodoxy does not allow people to speak as freely as they would like to. I'm a little shocked that this guy still has a position at Northwestern. God bless tenure.

14 people found this helpful

Comment

December 15, 2010

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

An informative book for those unfamiliar with the field. I felt his analysis on some points was a bit superficial, but he does have a real respect for facts. His theory of "autogynephilic" cross dressers was interesting, but unconvincing to me. I think there is a narcissistic element in all sexual orientations. His assertion that "bisexuality" is an empty category was not well supported. Probably the point regarding which I would most take exception with him is his apparent confidence that people fit into neat categories that are more than social constructions. In general I did not see it as either a great book nor a terrible book, but as a useful part of an ongoing conversation. Am puzzled as to why people seem to be so extreme in their assessment of this book. I might give is a 3 1/2.

Jedson

8 people found this helpful

Comment

The Man Who Would Be Queen

May 8, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in having a better understanding of gay and transgender issues.

3 people found this helpful

Comment

Amazon Customer

November 11, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Mom liked it

Comment

Patrick L. Boyle

Why the controversy?

July 10, 2009

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I was looking for a book on Cochran's germ theory of homosexuality. I ordered a book by his colaborator Ewald which I have not yet read. I also ordered this book expecting it to be a book about homosexuality too.

Instead it's about transexuality. No harm done. It's short and anecdotal. I read it in a few hours. I haven't thought much about transexuals since I moved from San Francisco. It didn't seem very controverial to me.

Then I read the reviews here. I can't help but suspect that there has been an organized effort to 'pack' this forum with negative reviews. It looks like some advocacy group mustered the troops to pile on.

Personally I don't get it. Bailey may be wrong but no one would ever mistake this book for a serious exposition of a closely reasoned hypothesis. It is just anecdotes. As such it is amusing rather than enlightening. Why should it arouse such outrage? Bailey seems to be a mild mannered if slightly fuzzy headed minor academic.

19 people found this helpful

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