Farm Boy, City Girl: From Gene to Miss Gina

by John "Gene" E. Dawson

Overview

Honorable Mention, Non-Fiction–Autobiography, Readers' Favorite International Book Awards, 2021

Winner, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Book Excellence Awards, 2021

Runner Up, Nonfiction–Memoir, PenCraft Awards, 2020

Finalist, First Non-Fiction, Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards, 2020

Finalist, LGBTQ: Non-Fiction, American Book Fest Best Book Awards, 2020

Honorable Mention, LGBT, Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, 2020

Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Best LGBT Memoir, National Association of Book Entrepreneurs, Summer 2020

 

Dive into the extraordinary life of John "Gene" E. Dawson in Farm Boy, City Girl: From Gene to Miss Gina and gain insight into the struggles of growing up gender-fluid and gay in the Great Depression era and the courage it took to live as Miss Gina in St. Louis. This powerful memoir provides a rare glimpse into the Mid-20th Century history of both rural Iowa and of LGBTQ individuals in Middle America—told by one who was there.

Learn about:

• The Great Depression era in the Midwest and how it impacted the life of a gender-fluid gay person.

• Gene's memories of gut-wrenching family drama in his 20s that resulted in his returning to his family's Iowa farm to help raise three younger brothers.

• Living as both Gene and Miss Gina in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and St. Louis.

• Tales of police brutality, gay bar life, and the unsung heroism of Midwestern LGBTQ people.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940165171178
Publisher:	MiRiona Publishing
Publication date:	03/17/2021
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

In 2019, Gene Dawson decided he wanted to get his book published while his health still allowed it. After Farm Boy, City Girl was published in April 2020, he enjoyed hearing every comment about it. Sadly, he passed away at age 89 in September 2020.

Before Gene finished his book, his life story had piqued the interest of documentarian Geoff Story, who is working on the upcoming LGBTQ-history documentary, Gay Home Movie. Gene was interviewed for the documentary for background history. Gene and director Story also were interviewed for the article, “L.G.B.T.Q. in the Midwest, Where the Fight Is Still Happening,” which was in The New York Times in May 2019.

An excerpt from Gene's book was included in Sweeter Voices Still: An LGBTQ Anthology from Middle America, which was published in January 2021.

Gene's memories live on; keep updated at facebook.com/farmboycitygirlbook.