Book Reviews

by Willow Arune

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Fascinating Who? Fascinating Aida

Personal Narratives of Thailand's Transgendered Youth

by LeeRay Costa & Andrew Matzner
by Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Nica Burns, Elm Tree Books London 1986
I.S.B.N.0241119251

With a large following in England, Ireland and Australia. "Fascinating Aida" is little known in North America. If you remember "Flanders and Swann", you are close. A very British wit encompassed in music. While "Flanders and Swann" went on to some fame in America ("Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud" and others) the dry wit and unamplified sound (only a piano and voices) was not exactly pop in North American trends.

Too bad. We missed a lot! The group has been going since the early 1980s, and still performs and records. Three members from the group — Dillie Keane (the founder and the one who does most of the writing), Adele Anderson and Nica Burns — got together for this book.

Why is this book a "trans" book? Because one of the long time members of the group—Adele Anderson is a transsexual woman.

What makes this book almost unique is that it addresses, through the eyes of both parties, the oft-asked transsexual question "When do I tell?". I found this book by reading Liz Hodgkinson's "Bodyshock"from the 1980s. She refers to the group, and the circumstances. That had me intrigued and I was delighted to find the book was still available. Nick (who works for the group) and their manager were most helpful in sending me both the book and the last recording released.

As I said, think of "Flanders & Swann" or the "Pirates of Penzance" or British Music Hall music and comedy, and just good fun! They are wonderful! Despite their great popularity in Britain, Ireland and Australia they have yet to be fully recognised for their talents in North America, which is our loss.

Oh, and yes, they write all the songs they perform. Adele Anderson auditioned for the group in the 1980s. With her great vocal range and other attributes, she was a fit, but there was something Nica asked, "Are you a man?" (It was, after all, an all woman group). Adele, being post-operative, said "No". Everyone was embarrassed and dropped the question. Adele joined the group.

Both viewpoints of that meeting, the reasons and whys, are presented in the book. Later, the British tabloid press, noted in the past for their negative treatment of Caroline Cossey and April Ashley, got the scent. Dillie and Marilyn were told by a third party, and were taken aback.

Initially they were angry because they had taken Adele at her word. Still, they adjusted and thus were able to better understand and help. The impact of that entire media witch-hunt on a newly breaking group must have been difficult.

By the time the press was on the scent, the friendship was such that the group's reaction was, "We know. As far as we're concerned, it doesn't matter. What's more, you are a woman and we think you're very brave".

After the B.B.C. released a recording in 1985 the press came closer. "Whacky Girl Trio in Sex Secret" started it off. Once again, we have the views presented by both sides, from Adele and from Dillie and Marilyn, a former member of the trio.

With the strength of lions, they were able to counter the attack and continue. Most transsexual readers will go away with no conclusions. "To tell or not to tell" is indeed the question. In this case, Dillie and Marilyn had some advance warning and that might have cushioned the blow, but each of us will find support for his or her own position in the comments by the three. This is not fiction, and follows the feelings and thoughts of the members during a time of crisis. While not directly addressed, this might explain why the group has not broken into certain markets, nor perhaps tried all that hard.

Bad as it may have been, Britain, Ireland and Australia are more forgiving than the United States in such matters. That they continued, with some limitations on their career, is a testament to their deep friendship. The group has gone through changes — Irish, British, Australians and Canadians have been part of the group at one time or another. Still, they have kept to their original goals and style.

Give them a listen and you, like me, may well be captivated. A good (if short) read, some nice music on the stereo, and what more could you ask for — all from one group! The book is as much fun as listening to their music. While I have one C.D., more are defiantly on my "Wants" list! If you can contact their website, both are available from Nick, a very nice man who will do all that he can to makes sure you are happy! Thanks to Nick for all his help in making this review possible.

Fixed For Life; The True Saga of How Tom Became Sally

by Irene Priess
Published by iUniversity Inc. Lincoln, Nebraska U.S.A. 2000
I.S.B.N.158348728X

The largest single grouping of books by or about transsexuals is not the clinical tomes and heavy references. We excel at the art of autobiography. Those seeking reasons might head to Prosser's Second Skins for an explanation). There are legions of bios on transsexuals published in one manner or another and even available on the Internet. We are a unique people and each one of us has our own story to tell.

As mainstream publishers limit transsexuals' bios to the very well known or academic, "Publish-on-Demand" offered a new way to get your story out, along with "e-Books", "Web Publishing" and more. Indeed, if the main chore for a writer is to get the message out; the equally daunting task for the reader is to locate the message in a sea of information.

Irene Preiss wrote her book in 1999. Only now, some five years later, did I find it and in a very roundabout manner. That such an excellent writer should be hidden amongst the weeds is sad indeed.

From joining the navy just prior to the conclusion or World War Two to her S.R.S. in Montreal in 1999, Tom and Sally's stories weave through the years, an inner drive thwarted by circumstances and pragmatism. It is refreshing to hear how word of Christine Jorgensen affected Tom as it did so many others. What is particularly wonderful about this book, aside from a writing style that draws you further and further into Tom's life, then Sally's, is the matter-of-fact "navy" presentation. His honesty and her courage triumph over adversity and if the road is long and winding, the happy ending comes eventually.

During the years covered by her book, Tom marries twice. Prior to introducing Sally to the world, he is fixed in his responsibilities, steadfast in his career. Thereafter, good luck and a persistence that is laudable find Tom and Sally switching back and forth, at times on a daily basis, at other times for more protracted periods. In many cases, Sally finds that to work she must become Tom, and Tom finds he cannot live long without becoming Sally. The constant pulling of one against the other lends drama and texture to the story. Tom's many skills keep him financially going, from one short contract to another, from one career to another. Financially he is dependent upon the "old boy networks" which seem always to make the necessary connections.

This book was released in the same year as McCloskey's "Crossing" and offers a direct contrast between two similar but different lives. McCloskey, as you may recall, abruptly terminated her marriage and proceeded with Libertarian zeal. Tom and Sally are more methodical and, lacking tenure, more subject to the demands of the commercial world. Compared to the protected "ivory towers" of McCloskey, Tom faces a far more challenging commercial world and does so with more compassion and feeling.

There is a sense in Tom's story of passive yet steadfast resistance. He does not expect the world to change to accommodate him. Pragmatically, and with a sense of both fair play and even-handedness, he and Sally deal with the world as it is while at the same time living their lives, as they must, thought the bureaucracy of the military and endless forms for security clearance. There is accommodation, not willingly given, but practically necessary. Nor does the long delayed goal suffer for this. Perhaps the wine is better savoured for some after it has aged to the right flavour.

I like Tom and Sally. I have a feeling from this book that we would enjoy a coffee together, getting to know one another better. I would learn a lot from such a meeting, and hopefully gain in both patience and practicality. I am not sure if Geminis are suppose to interact well with the more flighty Sagittarians but suspect that the balance of skills might be an interesting pairing, if given to more stress than a more normal relationship. What we both seem to share is a wonderful serendipitous state of fortune, of things falling into place at the right time and before our world's collapse, having our chestnuts pulled from the fire at just the right moment by a fickle finger of fate. Tom helps the fates along much more deliberately than I do. For me, it is knowing that "things will turn out for the best", for Tom and Sally, planning matters so that they do.

The navy way ...

Polare is published in Australia by The Gender Centre Inc. which is funded by the Department of Community Services under the S.A.A.P. Program and supported by the N.S.W. Health Department through the AIDS and Infectious Diseases Branch. Polare provides a forum for discussion and debate on gender issues. Advertisers are advised that all advertising is their responsibility under the Trade Practices Act. Unsolicited contributions are welcome, though no guarantee is made by the Editor that they will be published, nor any discussion entered into. The editor reserves the right to edit such contributions without notification. Any submission which appears in Polare may be published on our internet site. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, The Gender Centre Inc.I, the Department of Community Services or the N.S.W. Department of Health.