In their debut work, composer Lester sets out to answer many questions about the trans experience and how society accepts or rejects trans individuals. From how and whether to treat transgender children to the impact of trans celebrities and the press's treatment of trans people, Lester provides arguments using research that ranges from social to hard science. Lester is consistently empathetic and therefore sometimes seems less than confident as they both defend their point and concede that other, conflicting experiences are equally valid. As a result, plenty of the discussions are left open to debate. In one instance, regarding the concept of sex vs. gender, Lester contradicts themselves in a later chapter. Still, they cover a significant amount of material, making this a great sampler for broader study. While the subject is an important one and Lester writes with sensitivity, this work struggles to take a firm stand, except in the notion of the importance of acknowledging the plurality of transgender experiences. VERDICT Despite its flaws, this work is accessible for both scholars and readers interested in trans rights and a useful companion to Charlie Craggs's To My Trans Sisters.
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