Summary Of Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation

From reading the first few lines of the book, Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation by Kate Bornstein, I was immediately hooked. I personally connected with the section “We are all somebody’s freak.” At first glance of the title, it implied something sexual to me. After reading the explanation I completely understood the concept. The concept is basically that we are all individuals, and somebody out there considers us to be a weirdo. In the same way I would consider somebody to be weird. It’s extremely eye opening because I never thought of that before. Also, within this section I learned that there is hate within the transgender, gay, and lesbian community. Initially, I was under the impression that all of that community would only be drawn

to each other and not straight people, in terms of friendships. And, that they would all accept each other because each person is going through a similar situation. So, I discovered that you could hate on someone regardless of his or her story and, that you can disown your own.
Honestly speaking, the transgender concept is one that is hard to fully understand for me. For instance, the idea that a doctor chose a person’s gender and the individual did not. This was noted in the book, and Gwendolyn Ann Smith urged that it does not make sense that a doctor’s word has defined a person’s gender at birth. Suddenly I realize that gender has become something more complex than just male and female. Likewise, humans are extremely complex creatures, so it does not surprise me that there are many variations in gender. But then, at the same time, gender and sex are socially constructed concepts.
The section “Trans-corporation” brought upon me that gender is actually predominant in the work place. Of course, I was aware of this prior to this section but when it was noted that something so small as to how a male vs. a female handles a telephone call is gender identifiable, it is quite true to reality. As the book progresses the language did offend me because the use of the word “queer” is derogatory in my opinion. But, I suppose if someone in this category uses such language to refer to themself and they are fine with it, then it is considered okay? Almost like how an Asian can make an Asian joke, but not so much anybody that is not Asian.
When the reading of the old couple arrived I was delighted by its simplicity. It does not require much to exaggerate on because there was easiness in the way the two go about each other. In short, it was sweet, especially when the wife describes the profile of her spouse. Even though Edward, the spouse, has a disease, the wife’s love for him radiates in her tone. I inferred that Edward is a transgender, there was a mix of the words “he” and “my wife” which led me to believe that Edward is a transgender male. Nonetheless, it goes to show that love is love.