Gender Euphoria

February 15, 2022
The title of this collection aptly describes its unique contribution to the canon of writing on nonbinary issues. Editor Dale collects pieces from noncisgender writers who describe only their joyful trans or nonbinary experiences. None of the essays feature the psychological trauma that can accompany gender dysphoria. "I'm not going to pretend that the world isn't sometimes a bit miserable for non-cisgender people," writes Dale. However, she continues, this book "is about people doing small actions and grand gestures that made them feel radiantly themselves and wonderfully at peace." The positive editorial focus works well as the organizing theme. Rather than detailing victimization and suffering, these reflections find the very real delights in nonbinary experiences, as contributors examine how being trans, "enby" (short for nonbinary), or intersex contributes to their bliss. Most of these euphoric moments arise when the writers are finally able to present themselves in public as their true-felt gender (or nongender). Appearance is often important, whether it involves clothing (Jane Aerith Magnet's "Escaping the Monochrome Closet at Pride"), makeup, tattoos, or body/facial hair. We feel the joy when Oliver Jones, an 18-year-old trans man from England, writes about an unexpected role as prom king or when Miles Nelson, an autistic and trans man, revels in a "gender-affirming wedding." Dale, the author of Uncomfortable Labels: My Life as a Gay Autistic Trans Woman, writes about when she first noticed that her hormone replacement therapy was working, felt "my new breasts bounce," and attended her first "girly sleepover." Parker Armando Deckard, a Filipino American nonbinary trans man, shares his happiness at cutting his hair supershort to look "like a boy," thus "reclaim[ing] part of myself." The contributors also demonstrate the importance of other subcultures and practices, including the punk scene, erotic role-playing in online gaming, cosplay at anime conventions, and BDSM sex work for trans and gender-nonconforming clients. A welcome text in which trans, nonbinary, and intersex writers can reveal their true selves.

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February 14, 2022
Joy gets the spotlight in this candid and empowering collection from journalist Dale (Uncomfortable Labels). Pointing out that the popular narrative surrounding trans experiences is one of discomfort and dysphoria, Dale aims to feature examples of “people doing small actions and grand gestures that made them feel radiantly themselves and wonderfully at peace.” “Becoming Prom King” sees Oliver Jones being elected prom king in a gesture of gender affirmation by his classmates. In “The Gender of Language,” Teddy Sweet considers how to choose the right pronouns, and “Reflections” features Mia Violet finding confidence after wearing the perfect bridesmaid dress: “Glamorous bridesmaid, visiting the city from my coastal home.” Dale contributes almost a third of the essays, reflecting on triumphs such as the joy of finding a community in roller derby and of getting a correctly gendered passport. Even though the focus is on positivity, things aren’t all sunshine; traumas do creep in: “To talk about my experiences of euphoria properly, I need to contrast the good with the bad,” Júlia F. Cândida writes. The writing is a bit uneven from essay to essay, but the collection’s power lies more in its testimony than its literary finesse. Readers who have had their fill of trauma narratives will find this a breath of fresh air.