The first of its kind, Trans Youth Stories: An Intergenerational Dialogue after the “Trans Tipping Point” is a thematically organized collection of narratives, fiction, nonfiction, letters, poetry, graphics/comics, and visual pieces created by twenty-six Canadian transgender youth between the ages of ten to eighteen. Arranged in sections on childhood, families, bodies, everyday life, schooling, mental health, and acceptance, each section concludes with a response written by a Canadian scholar in transgender studies in conversation with the youth. These responses contextualize the youth pieces with recent scholarship from the field and equip readers with concrete actions for research, activism, and professional practice. Offering a unique and truthful depiction of young trans life and a holistic view of what it might be like to be a young trans person today, this groundbreaking volume will serve as an essential sourcebook for both students and teachers of gender and sexuality studies, trans studies, child and youth studies, counselling, and education. Features: a unique collection centering the voices of trans youth through firsthand perspectives followed by an extended scholarly response includes additional resources and follow-up responses by scholars to help readers contextualize writings of trans youth Reviews: “Insightfully conceived, this work foregrounds the thoughts and experiences of trans, gender nonconforming, and gender non-binary youth. These stories, and the interpretation and contextualization given by the adult mentors and subject experts, need to be read by all those that care about our youth and their contemporary challenges and celebrations.” —Loren Cannon, PhD, Department of Philosophy and Department of Critical Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Humboldt State University Table of Contents: Dedication Acknowledgements Trans Tipping Point Logo By Dylan Ariawan and Elliot Khan Introduction CHAPTER ONE: CHILDHOOD CULTURES Key Themes Critical Questions Books We Love The Blue Fairy By Ajam and Owen Miller M i x e d - Up By Asa O’Connor-Jaeckel Pink Herrings By Christopher Avatars By Lupus Be It Not Black and White By Ajam Response: Childhood and Cultural Representations By Christopher Wolff CHAPTER TWO: FAMILIES Key Themes Critical Questions Books We Love Family By Ajam As Long As I’m Healthy By Max Daddy’s Little Girl By Danny T By Sam Mommy By Ask Spirest You Always Wanted A Girl By Asa O’Connor-Jaeckel Be Strong Like Windows By Sam Prejudice Candle By Yakusinn DeBoer Response: The Complexities of Family Rejection By Kyle Shaughnessy CHAPTER THREE: BODIES Key Themes Critical Questions Books We Love Reflection By Ajam My Body By Jaxon Hair Expression By Tor Strength By Lupus Dysphoria By A.J. Disproportionate By Sam Butterflies By Maisie Bodrug Response: Life Itself: Trans Youth, Their Bodies, and the Freedom They Are Owed By Dr. Jake Pyne CHAPTER FOUR: EVERYDAY LIFE Key Themes Critical Questions Books We Love Government Buildings By Ajam Airport By Jasper Ledgerwood The Plan By Christopher Untitled-2 By Riley Dysphoria By Isaiah The Dream By Maisie Bodrug Hidden Transphobia By Tor Raise Your Voice By Jasper Queer, But Still a Christian By Alexander M-G Tools of the Transgender Teen By Tor Response: Everyone Has an Everyday Life By Dr. Lee Airton CHAPTER FIVE: SCHOOLS Key Themes Critical Questions Books We Love Where do we draw the dividing line? By Ajam A Day in the Life of One Trans Person By Maisie Bodrug Letter from a student in regards to backlash on the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum By Anonymous, a transgender student Discovery By Max When You Call Me ‘She’ By Owen Miller Boy or Girl? By Luna Strength By Finn Lewis Response: Are we there yet? Making a roadmap towards thriving for trans, gender-creative, two-spirit, intersex and queer youth in schools By Lindsay Cavanaugh CHAPTER SIX: MENTAL HEALTH Key Themes Critical Questions Books We Love Transcend By Ajam Self-Care By A.J. I Am Strong By Tor Why? By Danny Whose Whore? By Ask Spirest (Spirit of the Forest) Life Letter By Jaxon A Perspective on Growth By Alexander McIntyre Untitled-1 By Riley Starry Stabby + Live + Love By Ask Spirest Poem For Your Troubles By Maisie Bodrug Isolation By Asa O’Connor-Jaeckel Response: Resistance, Community Care, and Speaking Up Thinking Through Trans and Nonbinary Youth Writings on Mental Health Childhood and Cultural Representations By Astri Jack and J. Matsui De Roo CHAPTER SEVEN: ACCEPTANCE Key Themes Critical Questions Books We Love Self-portrait By Ajam Dear Grace By David The Personal Dictionary of a Trans Semanticist By Christopher I AM ART By Alexander McIntyre Victoria By Tor A Letter to the Girl I was Supposed to Be By Jaxon Sarah: A Trans Girl’s Story By Alexander M-G Genderfluid By Hope Embroidery By Tor Response: Enough. Acceptance By Alyx MacAdams Afterword By Glynne Evans (2 poems: Ditch The Straights’ Jacket and A Binary Binder) Process/Methodology By Dr. Lindsay Herriot and Kate Fry, with contributions from Serena Lukas Bhandar, H. Kori Duty, and Tash McAdam Author Bios Glossary By Tash McAdam Resources We Love Resources and Services for Trans Youth and The Adults that Love Them Research Institutes About Trans Youth Pronoun-Specific Resources About the Editors: Lindsay Herriot is an Adjunct Professor and Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Education and in the School of Child and Youth Care, an Associate Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Religion and Society, and a member of the Steering Committee in Transgender Studies at the University of Victoria. She is also a full-time special education teacher in the Greater Victoria School District. Kate Fry is a writer and editor who recently completed a BA with Honours in English Literature from the University of Victoria.
|