Review: Anomaly - The dark side of Transgender
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 26, 2011
For me, this was a very hard read, partly because it was such a familiar part of my own past.  I as reminded of the beatings I took just for wearing bright colors, or shorts, or even just caring about what I should be wearing.I remember the days when I would go out drinking and create a crisis situation where I would be kicked and beaten, and even hoping I'd take a shot to the nuts and eliminate the problem.  And I remember the people I would hang out with as an alcoholic and drug addict.I now have over 31 years clean & sober, but I still struggle with my gender identity, and my femme side screams to come out and play.  Fortunately, I have a loving wife, and a happy ending.However, each attempt to "Kill Debbie" - and go fully male, has often resulted in huge weight gains of up to 150 lbs, medical problems, and even some very dangerous situations.  Bringing Debbie back results in a healthier lifestyle, losing all or most of the weight gained (lost 75 lbs on Weight watchers since July 2010).  There is also more integrity, authenticity, commitment, and courage in every area of my life.This story is a great book for families and friends of transgendered people, regardless of whether they are just bedroom transvestites, or people who feel like they are girls trapped in a boys body, or are actually beginning the process of the transition.This book also shows the lack of freedom men have in their self-expression, their ability to dress, act, and behave in ways that our society considers too "Feminine".  Women have been winning back their freedom and power for almost 50 years, but men have closed ranks and become even more regimented in their behaviors.Anomaly is well researched, and obviously reflects the experience of real transgendered people who don't have the resources to pay for electrolysis, surgery, and hormones for the  2-3 years required to complete a gender change.