Book of the Month: Transgender
Meet Rachel, 56, our book of the month from Glasgow in Scotland. Rachel has been published at in-person and online events for the last two years. Her primary topic is Transgender, but at times she is also available to speak about being Jewish.
“If I am not going to judge you for asking the question. Then I surely hope you will not judge me for answering”.
Rachel is indeed an open book of the Human Library. Growing up in Glasgow as a child of the 70s in a very liberal home where it was natural to volunteer and give back to the community.
“I find it hugely fulfilling to be an open book. Because of my personal circumstances and my values. I want to make a difference. I have spent my entire life volunteering and it’s something my family has always done as well. I am giving people an opportunity to learn about my lived experience. There is no right or wrong here and you may not like what I am saying but you cannot deny my experience.”
What has it been like for you to meet readers?
“I speak out so those who can’t don’t have to” – Rachel
“Honestly, It’s not therapy but it’s definitely therapeutic. And I am the type of person that does my best thinking with my mouth open. Recently with the students from the University of Glasgow, I was asked a question and I answered it and then immediately forgot the question. The reader asked me, “how did it feel to get married when you were already suspecting that you are transgender?”
Some of my favourite readings are when someone who is gender critical borrows me and starts off by challenging what I believe and refers to things like transgenderism. I then try to explain that this is not a belief system. Transgender is a neurological condition where my brain is wired one way and my body’s another. And by the good grace of modern medicine and modern society I can live my life as a happier individual. Why is that such a threat to you? What about protecting women and girls in public spaces? That is a complete fallacy, bad people will do bad things. And just because I am transgender I am no more or less likely to be a good human.
More frequently I am getting questions that make the assumption that this is a sexual thing or that I am trying to impose my lifestyle on others.
“You are just trying to manipulate children. What is your view on trans children and I say I don’t have one. And although I was a trans child myself, I did not know it until I was in my 40s.
Every reading is different
“I have done over 150 readings and I still get new questions. So It makes you review and reflect. How did I feel and also make me question that memory. Because at the time, you were in the moment of the circumstances. All the books are amazing but honestly the readers are amazing as well. Because if it weren’t for their courage to ask questions and willingness to open up, then this would be completely pointless. I have huge respect for readers who bring their agendas and when I tell them they can ask me anything and they then do it. Then I love it. One reader has booked me several times online, as he has a close relative who is transgender and he really wanted to learn more.”
How would you rate your time with the Human Library?
“Sometimes you come across an idea and that just works. It’s never perfect, but when you can see you have made an impact. Then there is nothing better. Then we may have learned to understand and respect the other person and we have managed to humanize the debate. If more people would do that then perhaps the world would look very different now”.
Some personal takeaways for you?
Rachel believes that if it’s not a little challenging then it’s not going to be as impactful. Opening your heart and inner-self to scrutiny is always scary but it is also honest. And being honest can never be wrong.
“I go into these things without thinking about it now and I had no idea if it was going to suit me. My first event was very interesting and there were a lot of new books there. I realized that there were books there that I did not get along with. And I am sitting with someone who was both trans and my age and with similar backgrounds and I realized that we respect each other, but we were not going to get on or agree with each other. Then I took a step back and watched what was going on and I realized that I may not get along with individuals but I definitely found my tribe.”
Not a gender warrior
“When people say you are a gender warrior or a gender activist. I say no I am not. But I am self-aware and I had political activism training as a student. Thirty years ago I was fighting for equality and against racism and anti-semitism on my campus. And I have got the emotional weaponry and armour, to deal with the crap that some people are throwing at the transgender community. I speak out so those who can’t don’t have to”
Rachel has high regard for the people who want to go on marches and stand on street corners with placards and protest.
“I believe they are doing good work but I don’t think it is anywhere nearly as effective as helping to challenge the stereotypes one person at a time.”
Rachel is on loan to our readers online and in-person at events in Glasgow and Edinburgh, UK.
