“Transgender Good News” is both different and more challenging than I expected when given the book. It is a book that should be read by many of the professionals that are making a living and forming careers dealing with the lives of transgender people. This book also gives a good foundation for transgender people to feel good about themselves. For those who feel the sting of judgement from some conservative Christians “Transgender Good News” is just that.
Pat Conover is a person of considerable experience and skill. She has a Masters degree in Theology from Chicago University. She studied under Paul Tillich, one of the great progressive theologians of the 20th century. She shows the same progressive, critical theological position. Ms Conover also has a PhD in Sociology from Florida State University. Her education and experience over the past thirty-five years as well as her personal life give her solid qualifications to author this book.
A good half of the book is given to reviewing the science that has developed over the past fifty years. The findings in the areas of Psychology, Psychiatry, and the results of Clinical investigations are reviewed. They are all found wanting judged from solid objective scientific criteria. Of course these conclusions are themselves open to review and criticisms. However it is hoped that such review will be done with the same degree of objective honesty that this reviewer finds in Ms. Conover’s work.
A major criticism by the author of the many theories of the causes of gender non-conformity is that they do not deal with the complexities and diversity of life. Too many researchers and clinicians are looking for simplistic answers. Ms. Conover uses the analogy of looking for the “needle in the haystack”. Perhaps there is no needle; it is the nature of the haystack. She then offers her own suggestion for gender diversity. Her presentation is not, for myself, without problems. However for the most part it “fits comfortably” with my 60 plus years of gender experience.
In the field of theology the same critical work is done with similar results. Transgender people who read this work will indeed find good news. For congregations who wish to improve their level of acceptance of transgender people or, indeed, all expressions of the Queer community, will find helpful suggestions.
In one section there is particularly sensitive and helpful support for parents who find that their child has gender or sexual orientation issues. This section could well be copied and used as a handout at the clinics established to attempt to assure that children grow up to meet the prevailing social norms.
This book will not be found to be an easy read for some people. Indeed the author assumes and states that some people may skip some chapters which are quite technical. However Ms Conover compensates for this by giving short reviews of her conclusions at several points in the book.
I recommend this book, it is a good read.
