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pedantickef's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I am not transmasc or transfeminine. I am not cisgender, certainly, but I am somewhere outside of either other- and both or either too, depending the day. I know this now, and have known since I was a kid I liked what I liked regardless of gender expectations people put on me. But I had never really thought about gender explicitly until well after college, after becoming a parent...twice. And I insisted to myself I couldn't be bigender or non-binary at all, because the dysphoria I experienced wasn't about not feeling at home in my body or disliking body features I was born with because they felt wrong.
The stories in this book helped me realize that my gender identity doesn't have to characterized or measured by displeasure and pain. It helped me accept, little by little, that the fact that wearing a masculine cut, tailored suit with a full face of makeup made me feel powerful and sexy was enough for these things to be true about me. The fact that my gender experience was marked by moments where things just clicked- and instead of feeling pretty good, I felt *joyful*- that was real and a huge pointer to my truth.
I'm in the US, and many of the stories in this book are centered around the UK, but I'm sharing it far and wide with friends. Because especially now, we Americans need stories of joy and affirmation instead of misery and tragedy. And if that's what you're looking for, if that's appealing to you for any story (regardless of theme), this book is one to read. I know I'll come back to the stories I connected to most again in the future.
The stories in this book helped me realize that my gender identity doesn't have to characterized or measured by displeasure and pain. It helped me accept, little by little, that the fact that wearing a masculine cut, tailored suit with a full face of makeup made me feel powerful and sexy was enough for these things to be true about me. The fact that my gender experience was marked by moments where things just clicked- and instead of feeling pretty good, I felt *joyful*- that was real and a huge pointer to my truth.
I'm in the US, and many of the stories in this book are centered around the UK, but I'm sharing it far and wide with friends. Because especially now, we Americans need stories of joy and affirmation instead of misery and tragedy. And if that's what you're looking for, if that's appealing to you for any story (regardless of theme), this book is one to read. I know I'll come back to the stories I connected to most again in the future.
joey_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
crosswordpuzzler's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading positive, individual stories of joy. The journeys the writers generously share feel so personal and relatable.
stfucatalina's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
more trans joy please !!!!
makrocase's review against another edition
3.75
This was a lovely anthology on and from trans, intersex and non-binary people. It felt nice to read diverse experiences and I could relate to some of the gender euphoric moments.
While there was little ground-breaking about the themes as a reader who is not new to reading about trans experiences, I would really really recommend this book to people who are just finding out about their gender identity and curious allies.
Overall a nice collection, thought I felt that the editor contributed much compared to the other contributers.
While there was little ground-breaking about the themes as a reader who is not new to reading about trans experiences, I would really really recommend this book to people who are just finding out about their gender identity and curious allies.
Overall a nice collection, thought I felt that the editor contributed much compared to the other contributers.
readingforthevibes's review against another edition
5.0
Gender Euphoria (edited) by Laura Kate Dale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Gender / LGBT / Euphoria / Heartwarming
“Gender is a figment of consciousness, and I’m free to conceive of my role however I want.“
I loved this book! It was so fun and heartwarming to read stories of people finding moments of being happy with their gender! It widened my understanding of gender and i identified with a lot of the people in this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non-fiction / Gender / LGBT / Euphoria / Heartwarming
“Gender is a figment of consciousness, and I’m free to conceive of my role however I want.“
I loved this book! It was so fun and heartwarming to read stories of people finding moments of being happy with their gender! It widened my understanding of gender and i identified with a lot of the people in this book
uncannysol's review against another edition
4.0
This is essential reading for everyone.
This book of essays collects diverse trans, intersex, and gender-non conforming experiences, at the intersection of language, play, work, desire, kink, family, grief, amongst others. Paracelsus wrote “He(she/they) who knows nothing, loves nothing”, a quote I read some 25 years ago. Now, it makes more sense than ever before. I wish more people would open their eyes, brains, and hearts to engage in books like this, that gently wrangle you to the humbling recognition of how little you know about something, and even how limited is your imagination if you were to try put yourself in someone else’s feet. Ig Paracelsus was right, then maybe this book can help you love (better).
Unsurprisingly, many of the euphoric (and dysphoric) moments described in these essays were not entirely unfamiliar to me. I always suspected something for which I did not have role model, and for which I had no words. Therefore, this collection of essays can also help you see yourself (or that person in your life for whom you are reading this book) in others, less alone, more POSSIBLE. So if you are interrogating gender, this books is also for you.
Paracelsus continues “Anyone who imagines that all fruits ripen at the same time as the strawberries knows nothing about grapes."I can say that at end of the 200+ pages I find myself more knowledgeable, more compassionate, and more connected to my body and blooming gender identity, and better prepared to be there for others.
Does having read this book make me a more loving grape?
This book of essays collects diverse trans, intersex, and gender-non conforming experiences, at the intersection of language, play, work, desire, kink, family, grief, amongst others. Paracelsus wrote “He(she/they) who knows nothing, loves nothing”, a quote I read some 25 years ago. Now, it makes more sense than ever before. I wish more people would open their eyes, brains, and hearts to engage in books like this, that gently wrangle you to the humbling recognition of how little you know about something, and even how limited is your imagination if you were to try put yourself in someone else’s feet. Ig Paracelsus was right, then maybe this book can help you love (better).
Unsurprisingly, many of the euphoric (and dysphoric) moments described in these essays were not entirely unfamiliar to me. I always suspected something for which I did not have role model, and for which I had no words. Therefore, this collection of essays can also help you see yourself (or that person in your life for whom you are reading this book) in others, less alone, more POSSIBLE. So if you are interrogating gender, this books is also for you.
Paracelsus continues “Anyone who imagines that all fruits ripen at the same time as the strawberries knows nothing about grapes."I can say that at end of the 200+ pages I find myself more knowledgeable, more compassionate, and more connected to my body and blooming gender identity, and better prepared to be there for others.
Does having read this book make me a more loving grape?
jtullo's review against another edition
4.0
Love the uplifting stories shared in this book. Was well put together and very enlightening.