Whether you are questioning your gender identity, you know someone who is, or you simply want to understand more about how to engage in this current dialogue, When Gender is In Question is a highly accessible, informative guide to understanding.
Suzanne was inspired to write the book when her youngest child transitioned to his authentic gender identity in his early 20s. New to the discussion, she set about to research it and found lots of great resources, but she found that most resources were written from the perspective of the person who had journeyed through their gender transition.
There were very few resources that addressed the gender issues that she was facing as a mother new to the conversation. So, Suzanne spent four years writing the book she wished she’d had when her son had his first conversation with her about his gender questioning.
One reviewer explained the book as “a short read and a long think.” It provides insights and information from three voices. Suzanne writes about her own challenges in coming to terms with her son’s transition. Her son, Skyler, writes openly about his own experience as a trans man and his grappling with self-acceptance through his gender questioning and transition. A third voice is from a renowned gender specialist, Dr. Helma Seidl, who provides valuable medical information about the many considerations of transitioning, from hormone treatments to surgical procedures.
The book also discusses the politics around public bathrooms and why this debate has been such a hotly contested issue around the world. A glossary of useful words and phrases is also provided to clarify some of the important language necessary for this current dialogue. And finally, given Suzanne’s focus on helping bring more harmony to workplaces, the book includes an informative chapter to guide workplaces in providing the right support for their gender-diverse employees.
Throughout the book are quotes from people across the country who talk about their own experience with gender questioning – from those who transitioned from male to female, female to male, to those who are gender fluid and gender non-binary. The quotes are powerful and authentic, and help readers get a sense of the challenges and elations of these experiences.
