What is "a man wearing a dress" about?
Can you judge a book by it's cover? Well, yes, my book is about gender identity. But it really includes three main themes:
1. It's a memoir: I tell the story of how I was raised as a boy in suburban New England. My early life contains some early clues to the process I went through later on to come out. My story gives examples of how to be true to yourself, get through hard times, and connect with others for support along the way. I hope to inspire young people to be true to themselves. 2. It's a vision for today: Many people are experiencing a high level of anxiety these days. After all, there is plenty of disturbing news go to around! However, I'm definitely an optimist. I'm convinced that we're going to get through all this and see better times. In my book, I offer you my vision for the future, based on what I see that often isn't in today's headlines. |
3. It's an invitation to mutual understanding: I think a "war between the genders" hurts everyone (not just women or trans people) and I want to build bridges instead. I'm convinced that we need each other's help to get through this.
Blaming each other doesn't seem to be doing any good. Finding common ground with each other seems more like it. We can do this! Its all about LOVE.
Blaming each other doesn't seem to be doing any good. Finding common ground with each other seems more like it. We can do this! Its all about LOVE.
From the back cover:
Q: Are you the man in the picture on the cover?
A: Yes. Q: Why the dress? Are you gay? A: No, not as far as I can tell. I don't seem to be bisexual either. My affinity is really just for women. Perhaps you are confusing affinity with gender identity. Q: Then you’re trans? A: Well, perhaps. But I’m not planning to take hormones or have surgery to change my body. I actually like my body the way it is. Living as a woman didn't seem authentic to me. |
Q: Then why the dress?
A: Years ago, I began to ponder some questions about my sexuality and gender. I started to realize that I have a strong feminine side. One day, I went shopping at the Garment District, a consignment clothing shop in Cambridge. As I looked out over the floor, I gave myself permission to buy whatever I wanted from both sides of the aisle. At that moment, I felt like the happiest man on the planet. I was at the start of an amazing journey.
Q: Why did you decide to write this book?
A: Because I felt like it. Really! That statement, "Because I felt like it," is probably one of the best answers for anything anyone ever does. What we do usually starts with a feeling or an impulse. I found both the masculine and feminine within myself and I wanted to tell everyone about it. I think the world is evolving into a better place and I thought you’d like to know why.
Q: Should I buy this book?
A: Well, sure, ... if you feel like it!
A: Years ago, I began to ponder some questions about my sexuality and gender. I started to realize that I have a strong feminine side. One day, I went shopping at the Garment District, a consignment clothing shop in Cambridge. As I looked out over the floor, I gave myself permission to buy whatever I wanted from both sides of the aisle. At that moment, I felt like the happiest man on the planet. I was at the start of an amazing journey.
Q: Why did you decide to write this book?
A: Because I felt like it. Really! That statement, "Because I felt like it," is probably one of the best answers for anything anyone ever does. What we do usually starts with a feeling or an impulse. I found both the masculine and feminine within myself and I wanted to tell everyone about it. I think the world is evolving into a better place and I thought you’d like to know why.
Q: Should I buy this book?
A: Well, sure, ... if you feel like it!