Laura A. Jacobs, LCSW-R, has published an all new anthology novel titled “Surviving Transphobia.” The book entails what it is like to endure institutional transphobia and the perseverance that is necessary to survive.
“Surviving Transphobia” explores “institutional transphobia and interpersonal violence are enacted by those who would return us to the shadows, the closets, or worse,” and includes accounts from a wide variety of trans and nonbinary celebrities, activists, and experts.
Contributors include Chris Mosier, Cecilia Gentili, Jamison Green, Jack Thompson, and Asa Radix, among several others.
Laura A. Jacobs, who is a trans and genderqueer-identified psychotherapist, speaker, author, activist, and heretic specializing in transgender, gender nonbinary issues, and other LGBTQ issues, shares that in the novel, “We share the moments when we were vulnerable, were bullied, had needs dismissed, or were discriminated against, revealing our determination and how we have (sometimes) managed to survive.”
They go on to say that, “We relate our thoughts on the current, well-funded campaign threatening our very existence. We also speak to our allies, those nearer or even those with less direct connection to transgender and nonbinary people but who are eager to understand and support our vulnerable community.”
Kate Bornstein, author of Gender Outlaw was moved by the book and says that “Transphobia is everywhere and every transperson is threatened by it, no matter our race, age, class, sexuality, or life path. Surviving Transphobia is unique in giving us both deeply moving memoirs of transphobia from brave trans pioneers—and their strategies for dealing with it. Far from being a book of tragic endings, each and every chapter of this first rate collection sees transphobia conquered, and lucky us—we get to learn from the best how to do it for ourselves. A truly important book for both scholars and for every transperson facing transphobia.”
Christine Burns, author of Trans Britain is a fan of the book as well, stating, “This is a vital book at a crucial time, executed with such a skillful choice of contributors by Laura. Trans people’s lives and safety are being exploited on both sides of the Atlantic by political operators seeking cheap gains at the polls. Their attacks won’t win the votes they seek but an account of the harms they are inflicting is overdue. Laura has chosen such a diverse and articulate set of contributors to document the real harm. Anyone who doubts the human cost for a second must read this. A book I wish I’d created myself, but Laura has done it first and done it better.”
Jacobs reminds readers, “We have survived, here’s how. And if we can survive…so can you.”
“Surviving Transphobia” is available for purchase here.