The Riddle of Gender: Science, Activism, and Transgender Rights

I’ve openly admitted that my experience with those that are transgender is, at best, quite limited. Being an avid reader, I’ve learned quite a bit in the 9 months that I’ve been writing this blog. I recently found a book that explains things quite well both from a layman’s standpoint and also in such a way that an academic would also gain some insight.

The book is the 2005 (believe it or not) Pantheon publication, The Riddle of Gender: Science, Activism, and Transgender Rights authored by journalist and science writer (Johns Hopkins University) Deborah Rudacill. Rudacill began her research all because a friend had decided to transition and she wanted to know more. As a science writer she take a look at the detailed science behind gender make up but, as an investigative journalist she also looks at the very real human emotional issues. She accomplishes the latter by, among other things, interview six transgender “subjects” in depth about their lives and experience. It’s pretty compelling stuff.

Rudacill, like the best journalists, comes at her subject with open, unbiased eyes. She’s not personally transgender and only took up her study out of her own, innate curiosity. She’s objective. There’s no slant and no bias here. You’ll get some history, you’ll get a feel for the past and (fairly) present religious influence on the debate of gender topics – remember this was written in 2005. You’ll get the results of modern science (circa, again, 2005) and you’ll get personal stories from 6 very real people whom she skillfully drew out.

I learned quite a bit from this book. I have better understanding now of what it means to be transgender and what effects social policies and influences have on those who are.