The Transgender Phenomenon:
by Richard Ekins & Dave King
HQ77.9 .E55 2006
New Book Island, 2nd floor
After attending the UW System LGBT Conference in Green Bay last month, I came away with lots of think about. I also realized that I don’t know much about the T in LGBT. Conveniently, I found this book to fill in the gaps.
The authors, professors in the UK, have been following the “transgender phenomenon” for over thirty years, back when researchers didn’t pay serious attention. That all has changed and the featured book is the result of their dedication to the subject. The researchers presents the historical background of the relatively ‘new’ area of inquiry, as well as define ‘transgender,’ which means different things to different people. They then launch into their study, using personal narratives to illustrate the “four major modes of transgendering,” from “crossing the [gender divide] temporarily” (oscillating) to “crossing the [gender] divide permanently” (migrating). This volume provides an excellent scholarly view and tons of references for further research.
