Transgender People Have Always Been Here
I approached Susan Stryker’s Transgender History not just as a chronicle of events, but as a vital tool for understanding the lived realities, struggles, and resilience of transgender people in America. Stryker’s work is a lens through which we can better support clients, challenge systemic biases, and advocate for justice in both clinical and societal contexts.
Stryker opens her book with a chapter dedicated to terminology, a choice that resonates deeply with therapists who know the power of language in shaping identity and experience. She acknowledges the changes in language over the past decade, emphasizing how evolving terms reflect deeper shifts in understanding and acceptance. For clinicians, it’s a reminder to remain current and respectful in our language, recognizing that words can be both tools of affirmation and weapons of exclusion.
This book traces transgender history from the early colonial period to the post-World War II era, the rise of trans activism in the 1960s, and the ongoing fight for rights and recognition. Stryker’s narrative is accessible, weaving personal stories, legal battles, and cultural shifts into a cohesive whole. She does not shy away from the darker chapters: the violence, medical pathologization, and exclusion faced by trans people, especially those who are also people of color, youth, or sex workers. This intersectional approach is crucial for therapists, reminding us that our clients’ struggles are shaped by overlapping systems of oppression.
One of Stryker’s strengths is her recognition that gender identity, race, class, and sexuality are deeply intertwined. She highlights how trans activism has often been led by those most marginalized within the community, such as Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, who fought not only for trans rights, but also for broader social justice. This is a call to therapists to see our clients in their full complexity, honoring all aspects of their identities and histories.
Stryker brings her history up to the present, addressing contemporary issues such as bathroom bills, political backlash, and the growing visibility of trans celebrities. She balances hope with realism, noting both the progress made and the challenges that remain. For sex therapists, this is a crucial reminder that while visibility can foster acceptance, it can also provoke backlash and new forms of discrimination.
Stryker writes with clarity and empathy, making complex history engaging and relatable. The book is peppered with sidebars, biographies, and excerpts from memoirs, offering a range of perspectives and voices. For therapists, it’s both a primer and a resource to share with clients, families, and colleagues.
Stryker’s Transgender History is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the roots of today’s trans movement and the ongoing fight for dignity and equality. As a sex therapist, I find it invaluable for grounding my practice in historical context, fostering empathy, and challenging the medical and social narratives that have too often pathologized the transgender experience. It’s a reminder that history is not just about the past. It’s about the stories we tell, the language we use, and the futures we help create.
