All the Things They Said We Couldn't Have: Stories of Trans Joy

by Tash Oakes-Monger

Overview

'Transition has not been something linear for me, my joy has come in seasons.'

Now, more than ever, trans people deserve to hear stories of joy and hope, where being trans doesn't have to be defined by fear and dysphoria, but can be experienced through courage, freedom, and the love and acceptance of their chosen families.

Through a series of uplifting, generous and beautifully crafted vignettes, T. C. Oakes-Monger gently leads you through the cycle of the seasons - beginning in Autumn and the shedding of leaves and identity, moving through the darkness of Winter, its cold days, and the reality of daily life, into Spring, newness, and change, and ending with the joy of long Summer days and being out and proud - and invites you to find similar moments of joy in your life.

Celebratory and empowering, these stories are a reminder of the power joy can bring.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781839971501
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	01/19/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

T. C. Oakes-Monger started writing as a means of survival. After growing-up as a closeted queer in a rural village and realising medical school wasn't for them, they came out as trans and started working to improve healthcare for LGBTQIA+ people. All the Things They Said We Couldn't Have is their first book.

Table of Contents

Author's Note 9

Introduction 10

Autumn 17

Magic 19

Coming Out 21

I Dance for the First Time 24

Max and Lynne 27

Swimming Again 31

Trans Pride 35

Chosen Family 38

Samhain 41

Winter 45

Insurance Systems 47

Hope: Trying Is Good 49

Transgiving 51

Isaac 53

Sureness Is a Trap 54

Seren 62

Freddy 64

Curating Something Liveable 66

Brighton 69

The Hospital 71

Spring 73

Paper Boats 75

Observed 77

Sam 80

Lockdown 81

Traditions 85

Happy Books 86

Cai 91

Wild Swimming 92

Sunset 94

Summer 97

Clothes 99

Top Surgery 105

Recovery 110

Sickness and Sunflowers 113

Seaweed 117

A Summer to Remember 120

We Are Everywhere: Trans Pride Brighton 122

Milton Sands 123

Swimming and Coasters 125

If I Had My Time Again 126

Ladybirds 128

JQ 130

Impossible 131

Possible 133

Ma 137

Samhain Again 138

(Mile) stones 140

Acknowledgements 142

Editorial Reviews

From surviving, to thriving, this uplifting gem of a book shares powerful stories detailing childhood clues and trans joy. Every trans experience is different and yet there is still a thread we can connect with in every individual story. Powerful, Insightful and Captivating.

Fox Fisher

A beautiful set of interpretations of who we are and what we are capable of becoming. A must read.

Juno Roche

What we desperately need and deserve - more trans joy

Charlie Craggs

To feel valid and seen in this world is a huge thing - one that many in the trans community never receive - but this book does that for so many people. Tash Oakes-Monger has beautifully weaved their lived experience throughout this book, combining it with a poignant reminder to look for joy, creating something everyone can read and benefit from.

Ben Pechey

A beautiful memoir about the power and magic of trans joy

DIVA Magazine