Diane Ehrensaft - Gender Born, Gender Made: Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children

PRAISE FOR
GENDER BORN, GENDER MADE

This is an outstanding referencean indispensible guide for those providing care for gender-nonconforming youth. Dr. Ehrensaft eloquently presents evidence to support her enlightened and impassioned plea to advocate for the true gender self of all children.

STEPHEN M. ROSENTHAL, MD, professor of pediatrics, director, Pediatric Endocrine Clinics, University of California, San Francisco

Courageous and clear, this book tells gender like it iswith real advice for those brave parents who are helping their transgender children to lead the 21st-century world toward an understanding of what it means to be fully human. Gender Born, Gender Made is a must-read for anyone who wants to comprehend the function and importance of gender in American culture, and learn how we can break genders irrational stranglehold on the human spirit.

JAMISON GREEN, PhD, educator, policy consultant, and author of Becoming a Visible Man

Dr. Ehrensaft uses her own experience and the narratives of her patients to provide a glimpse into the obstacles that children with gender dysphoria and their families face. Their strengths are reflected in their stories. This provocative book will be helpful for parents, teachers, and clinicians working with children along the continuum of gender expression. These are children who, like all children, do not want to adapt to the expectations of others, but wish to be embraced for who they are.

CYNTHIA J. TELINGATOR, MD, child and adult psychiatrist; faculty member, Cambridge Health Alliance; and assistant professor, Harvard Medical School

This book provides a creative approach in the evolution of our understanding of gender-nonconforming children, a thoughtful way forward from oppression towards affirmation. There is important information here for all who care about the quality of life for all children and their families.

CATHERINE TUERK, APRN, cofounder and senior consultant, Gender and Sexual Advocacy and Education Program, Childrens National Medical Center

Dr. Ehrensaft has written a seminal and informative book that fills what has been a gaping abyss in the literature for parents rearing gender-nonconforming children. There have been few resources available for parents with children whose gender expression is notably different from that of their peers, and they are often isolated and frightened... This is a book that is informed by scholarly advice, yet reads with a gentle advocacyit will be read and earmarked. Finally, a book I can hand parents that guides them in this unique and rewarding journey.

ARLENE LEV, founder of Choices Counseling and Consulting, Albany, New York, and Rainbow Access Initiative

In Gender Born, Gender Made, Dr. Ehrensaft issues a clear and compelling call to parents and professionals in support of children living outside of societys narrow gender expectations. Building on her vast experience working with children, families, and professionals, she beckons all of us to expand our traditional notions of gender, challenging us to create affirming spaces in which children can discover and celebrate their authentic selves. Hers is a model of gender acceptance and inclusion, not only for children pushing the boundaries of gender, but for all children simply wishing to be themselves.

JOEL BAUM, MS, director of education and training, Gender Spectrum

Parents need to make decisions now, about the children they have now, and the fact that the science cant keep pace with the culture doesnt diminish that need one iota. Gender Born, Gender Made speaks to this reality... Ehrensafts experience as a therapist working with gender-creative children, and her own experience as a parent of a gender-nonconforming child, make this book unique. Shes a double expert, both parent and supportive professional, and while we wait for the research to trickle in, for the science to come of age, it is people like her to whom we should listen when it comes to understanding this exquisite mystery of male and female, mind and body, love and identity.

BEDFORD HOPE, Accepting Dad blog

Diane Ehrensaft is the patron saint of kids who dont conform to traditional gender norms... Her book should be recommended reading for all parents-to-be... [and] for all parents and family members even remotely involved in the life of a gender creative child.

Raising My Rainbow blog

BECAUSE EVERY BOOK IS A TEST OF NEW IDEAS

ALSO BY DIANE EHRENSAFT, PhD

Parenting Together:
Men and Women Sharing the Care of Their Children

Spoiling Childhood:
How Well-Meaning Parents Are Giving Children Too MuchBut Not What They Need

Mommies, Daddies, Donors, Surrogates:
Answering Tough Questions and Building Strong Families

WITH TONI VAUGHN HEINEMAN

Building a Home Within:
Meeting the Emotional Needs of Children and Youth in Foster Care

Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children

DIANE EHRENSAFT, PhD

Foreword by
EDGARDO MENVIELLE, MD, MSHS

NEW YORK

GENDER BORN, GENDER MADE:
Raising Healthy Gender-Nonconforming Children
Copyright Diane Ehrensaft, 2011
Foreword copyright Edgardo Menvielle, 2011

All rights reserved. Except for brief passages quoted in newspaper, magazine, radio, television, or online reviews, no portion of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The Experiment, LLC
260 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 100016408
www.theexperimentpublishing.com

Grateful acknowledgment is made to
Phyllis Rothblatt for permission to reprint lyrics from I Just Want to Be Me.

The Experiments books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising or educational use. For details, contact us at .

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and The Experiment was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been capitalized.

This book is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor the publisher are engaged in rendering medical or other professional services to individual readers. It is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a health professional. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010934615
ISBN 978-1-61519-060-7
Ebook ISBN 978-1-61519-158-1

Cover design by Alison Forner
Cover photograph by Rick Chapman | Corbis
Author photograph by Jim Hawley
Text design by Pauline Neuwirth, Neuwirth & Associates, Inc.

Manufactured in the United States of America
Distributed by Workman Publishing Company, Inc.