This is an excellent book for anyone who works with Transgendered, Transsexual and Intersexed people in any capacity. This is a history of the Zenith Foundation, a support group for Trans people - ( I am including all of the above list under that label, for space considerations only.) In the 11 years or so that it functioned, it served as an educator, mediator, advocacy group and a strong voice for people dealing with Trans issues on a daily basis.
At the same time the book describes, in detail, the challenges they faced with bureaucracy, militants within the community with their own agendas, Society’s views and more. This is an honest retelling of the history and events that helped shape, and then break down, the Society.
Stephanie tells this in her own voice, as well she should! She founded the organization, was its President and then its Director of Public Relations. She also contributed to the “Zenith Digest”, the newsletter for the group.
I admit however, that this book is NOT light reading, nor is it a fast read. There is a lot of information to digest and go through. After all 11 years of history is compacted into a little over 200 pages. There are letters to the Editor, Politicians, and Professional Groups. There are rebuttals to comments and statements made by those groups and others. Some of it is dry reading, but that doesn’t mean it is not important reading. Any historian or archivist would know the challenges of recording a history of an organization like this one
I recommend this book highly as a guide to understanding the needs, as a group, of this marginalized community. I commend Stephanie for her honesty, her candor, and her patience in creating this book.
It is interesting to note that, in the advocacy actions described in this book; not much has changed since the period she writes about. There is still lots of work to be done. But ever since the Gender Clinic at Vancouver Hospital was closed due to budget cutbacks, and the Zenith Foundation closing down as a side effect of that closure, there is not a voice to express the needs of Trans people. I think that is shameful, stating only my personal opinion. This is not aimed at the Zenith Foundation or Stephanie, but at the ignorance of the Government, Medical Community and the so-called powers that be!
Let this book challenge, educate and enlighten you. Through learning comes change, and that is what the Zenith Foundation was about.

I have known Stephanie Castle for over 10 years. She was the person who led a support group for male to female transsexuals, when I first “Came Out” all those years ago. I have read her earlier books and was thrilled when she asked me to read her four latest titles in the “Cascade Series.”

There are nine stories in this book, I read the first three and took a break to digest them. As I know Stephanie, I recognized part of her life in the first two stories. I was also pleased to read a story based on the experience from a Female to Male (F2M) perspective.

The stories were entertaining, but also cover a number of important issues. Transsexuality or Gender Dysphoria is covered from its origins in pregnancy, through assessment and treatment, to surgery. Current Human Rights and legal issues are clearly stated. Stephanie also covers the interpersonal aspects: grief, shock, anger and ignorance. There is also rebirth.

My only complaint, at this point, were the relatively happy endings to the stories. I know this has been the case for some transsexuals. Some have gone on to lead happy and successful lives, but the unhappy endings seem to garner more media atttention.

I only had to go to the next story to have my complaint dealt with. The next two stories deal with the darker side of the condition. The loss of family, friends and spouses. Parents lost dreams for their children. The ugliness of misunderstanding. Fear, hatred, relgious fervour and suicide. This book has it all!

“The Bag Lady” takes a historical look at transsexuality, when it was dealt with by way of incarceration in a Mental Health Facility. Yes, and not that long ago, eiither.

The last story brought tears to my eyes. A young child who “Comes Out” at the age of 8, and the challenges he faces in the process. Also the challenges his parents and brothers contend with. The courage of them all, in the face of fear and ignorance. They also found friendhsip and support. It is a moving story.

When I finished the book, I took a minute to read the back cover. Stephanie outlined the book there, and she delivers on her promise. I found the book entertaining, factual and realistic. As a transsexual woman, I too, have experienced and heard similar stories, but these still moved me.

This book would be valuable in any setting, where Gender or Diversity is being covered. The stories could be used as case studies, and to promote group discussions. It is invaluable for anyone who is questioning or considering “Coming Out.” This is a helpful resource for anyone involved in the transsexual community as a counselor or caregiver.

See title in our Catalog

Reviewed by Roz Shakespeare

What a wonderful story. Stephanie has managed to pack a lot of story into these pages. We have outlaw motorcycle gangs in Montreal with ambushes, murder and mayhem. We have Micheline, a transsexual woman, married to one of the outlaws. She flees to the West Coast to avoid capture by a rival gang.

When her husband is murdered, she begins a new life in Vancouver. She waits tables until a friend talks her into the life of a high priced call girl. This goes well until she is badly beaten by a client. She eventually becomes the co-owner of a restaurant, where she meets an assortment of characters.

In the background is the constant friction between Micheline and her family. They struggled to understand Michel, as then he was. As a result, Michel became distanced from his father and brother through ignorance and prejudice. He was victimized in a most horrific way. and yet, there remained the hope of reconciliation. There are wonderful surprises as this clearing conversation takes place. It suggests not giving up hope and faith.

During these adventures, she marries an old sea dog; counsels another transsexual woman on a number of life issues; and helps family deal with drug addiction.

Throughout the story Stephanie covers a multitude of aspects that transsexuals deal with on a daily basis. She covers the origins of the disorder, hormones, treatment and surgeries. She also confronts victimization. This book is educational and entertaining. I particularly like the fact it is set in Canada. Well done, Stephanie!

As I hope everyone knows, there was a landmark event in Gay and Lesbian History, that happened around a Gay Bar in New York City in late June, early July, 1969. After years of being harassed and hassled by an extremely homophobic City Hall and Police, the LGBT community fought back! And they fought back hard! There were nights of protests and rioting ,that set the homophobes on their butts in shock. It was the first time the Gay community showed spunk, and let the Police know they were not going to put up with the Bullshit anymore. At that time, gay bars would be raided on a regular basis, and anyone caught inside would be arrested and charged.
This book is an in-depth series of interviews and discussions, with people who were actually involved. Stonewall wasn’t planned in advance. it happened spontaneously when a group of Drag Queens fought back; they were joined by Leather Men, and then more people got involved. But almost overnight, the community pulled together and started to set up plans. From this came the birth of the Gay Liberation Movement in North America.
This book is important for many reasons - it details the start of our Liberation; it gives a really good presentation of just how repressed we were; and what LGBT people has to face on a daily basis; and not just in New York City. Everywhere. From a historical point of view, this book should be required reading for everyone Coming Out, Living Out and anyone involved in LGBT issues! But even more important, the author talks to the people at the core of this developing movement; and a more varied group of individuals would be very difficult to find.
We have Yvonne Flowers - the only Afican-American child in an all white school in 1942. We have Sylvia (Ray) Rivera - a street Transvestite and prostitute. Craig Roswell - radical member of the Mattachine Society and owner of the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookstore. Karla Jay - feminist and activist. Jim Fouratt - an outspoken spokesman for the counterculture Yuppie movement. Foster Gunnison Jr. - activist, archivist and pre-Stonewall organizer.
This book not only tells of the events leading up to Stonewall, but details how the various characters got to where they were as activists. This is NOT a dry book, for me it is very real, relevant and current. I was 17 when Stonewall happened. I was a “baby” radical queer man: I knew what they fought for, only too well. I knew the issues - first hand; I knew about Police harassment; I knew about Police entrapment; I knew exactly what these people were talking and protesting about.
We still have a long ways to go! But to go forward we have to go back and look at how the movement which has brought us some rights and freedoms started.
Martin not only tells the history, he also gives insights into the personalitites of the main group of players. It wasn’t smooth sailing, not at all. When you get a group of highly individual personalities and backgrounds into a room, there is going to be friction. And there was. Lot’s of it! There is a lot of Big D Drama in this book, and I ain’t talking camp here. Add to the mix, the repressed period of time and you will be caught up in the history like I was!
As you have gathered, I highly recommend this book to everyone. No matter if you are a historian, an activist, an archivist, or just a queer person - we NEED and MUST know our history. These six people are just a few of our LGBT Heros that we need to honor and remember. It is from them and their passion and strength that we grew from. READ THIS BOOK!
Some of you might be asking yourself, why doesn’t he give is some details, or explain more what he is talking about, or define the terms? Answer - It’s simple, I want you to get curious and find out for yourself! This isn’t like reading long dead history texts in school, this is OUR LIVES! Here and Now!

Doesn’t Gender Identity have to be in place and comfortable before you can claim sexual orientation and attraction? That’s the way it worked for me. Once surgery was complete for me as a male to female transsexual I realized my sexuality canvas was blank. I didn’t know my sexuality. I had some ideas. I had to go out and explore. To discover that part of me. For all those years I had been acting based on the male models around me. Now I have had the chance to explore I identify as a lesbian.

What about M2F transsexuals who identify as heterosexual? Are they still to be included in the LGBT community?

What happened? Did some L,G and B folks get together over coffee or drinks one day and invite a T to join them? Who accepted on behalf of T’s?

Does a Gender Identity issue belong with Sexual orientation issues?

What do you think or feel?