Book
Becoming Nicole : the transformation of an American family
Edition
First edition.
Publication Information
New York : Random House, [2015]
Physical Description
xix, 279 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : color illustrations ; 25 cm.
Summary
"The Maines were a middle-class, hard-working, politically conservative New England couple whose lives felt complete when they adopted identical twin sons. As toddlers, Jonas was the son Kelly and Wayne Maines expected, but Wyatt was only interested in girls' clothes and toys. By age five, this conflict was tearing Wyatt--and the family--apart. Today, Wyatt is Nicole. She and Jonas are now graduating from high school. This is the story of a journey that could have destroyed a family, but instead united them. It's the story of a mother whose instincts told her her child needed love and help. It's the story of a Republican, NRA-member father who overcame confusion and fear to become a vocal advocate of trans rights. It's the story of a brother who always loved and accepted his sister. And, especially, it's the story of a young girl who found the courage to be herself. "--
Contents
- Prologue: mirror image
- Beginnings. Identical twins ; My boys ; Finally ours ; Gender dysphoria ; Down east ; Things to be careful of ; The pink aisle ; A boy-girl ; Wild in the dark ; Girls with magical powers ; A son and a daughter ; Transitions ; Getting the anger out
- The Sexual Brain. The Xs and Ys of sex ; Perpetrating gender ; Nature's anomalies ; Being different ; Becoming Nicole ; A new adversary ; Freak ; The Christian Civic League of Maine ; Defending Nicole ; May I have this dance? ; She's all girl ; Eyes on
- Gender Matters. The transgender brain ; Gender of the heart ; Separate and unequal ; Going stealth ; On the outside looking in ; Puberty begins ; Born this way ; A time for change ; We can't lose ; First kiss ; Small victories ; Someone else's brother ; One step back ; Imagine ; Our story
- Breaking Barriers. Commencement ; Transformation
- Epilogue: as long as she's happy.