Trans Teen Survival Guide by Fow Fisher and Owl Stefanía | Photo: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
I have nothing but praise for the work of those who have spoken up on behalf of trans and non-binary people.
And I am equally grateful that the progress those people have facilitated, means we are now at a point in time where a book like Fox Fisher and Owl’s Trans Teen Survival Guide can be published.
Unfortunately, this book is far from the ‘survival guide’ I would have hoped for as a trans teen.
Ambitious and ultimately a well-intentioned book
The Trans Teen Survival Guide offers a decent grounding for teens who have already understood their trans identity. It offers help on understanding the rhetoric of the community and the ongoing politicisation of trans experience.
Regrettably, despite its many positives, I feel the authors have missed an opportunity to create something that had the potential to be truly special.
I worry that a book emblazoned with the words ‘Trans Teen Survival Guide‘ is the first big barrier.
‘Coming out’ as trans is difficult. Something that should not be precipitated before one is ready by the inadvertent discovery of a book like this, even if it is hidden away.
This isn’t a major issue of course. Teenagers have been hiding more questionable rags under their mattresses for years.
But to me, it is the first symptom of a rift between the authors’ idea for the book and the book’s ultimate realization.
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Where the Trans Teen Survival Guide succeeds
The book itself covers all the basics: including what it means to be trans.
The 200+ pages of words, which may be new to those finding their feet, as well as numerous stories and affirmations to you being valid and trans enough – are great.
And it succeeds in offering practical advice and information for those navigating the early stages of transition. Good examples of this include the section with coming out stories. This is always affirming to read.
The information regarding how to navigate your trans body and – while I take some issue some of the assertions that are made – what clothes you may choose wear, is definitely useful.
Equally, the instructions for administering shots, for example, is the sort of handy reference material that I would of found myself flicking to repeatedly, just to make extra sure I was doing it right.
But there is really not enough of this.
Trans Teen Survival Guide by Fow Fisher and Owl Stefanía | Photo: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Is it too general to be helpful?
Statements such as ‘some people think…’ or ‘depending on where you live…’ are rife at the weaker points in the book.
These highlight an inconsistency in tone making it unclear who exactly this book is aimed at.
At times the authors’ writing seems to offer a generalized guidance for trans people no matter where they live.
Other points (for example, an invaluable section about changing your name) seems to be instead primarily written for trans and non-binary folk living in the UK.
If this book is for UK readers, where is the help on how to navigate the NHS? And if it hopes to be international, why aren’t there more examples from all over the world?
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Too much rhetoric, too little history
Huge swathes of the book are dedicated to discussing rhetoric around gender.
The primers on what sex, gender and being non-binary are will also be useful reads for any parents, friends of young trans people and allies looking to beef up their knowledge.
Equally, there is a value in explaining all the words and acronyms currently used in the fight for trans rights.
It also arms new young trans voices with asking, ‘where the fight is at now?’
That only works, if trans voice understands that actually, our identities aren’t new. This isn’t a ‘new trend’ or even a new fight.
We have always been here.
Trans Teen Survival Guide by Fow Fisher and Owl Stefanía | Photo: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Trans stories from history, are our greatest strength today
History has shown time and again that trans people have always been a part of our society. And contrary to our contemporary understanding, society’s reaction to us hasn’t always been negative.
Between 1919 and 1933 Berlin’s Institut für Sexualwissenschaft produced groundbreaking research and promoted acceptance of trans people.
Beyond this there are countless examples of trans, genderfluid, and non-binary folk who lived their lives either quietly or openly. Their stories are our greatest strength today.
So to anyone else writing for young trans people I call on you to take the opportunity to share the historical significance and societal perspective on those whom, had they lived today, might have identified as trans and non-binary, rather than relying on terminology alone to inform.
Trans and non-binary identities have a rich history.
And if we all, as we were understanding our identity had somewhere to read about this – we’d all be much more affirmed in our identity than some rhetoric words about being trans enough.
Trans Teen Survival Guide is available from 21 September.
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