Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin (review)

Author and photographer Kuklin turns her eye toward the often-overlooked T in the canon of LGBT books for young people in this series of six interviews with teenagers and young adults who identify as transgender. Beyond this (and the fact that five of the interviewees live in New York), they’re a varied group: the interviews incorporate a wide range of diversity of race, socioeconomic status, family structure, sexual orientation, and gender identity (with interviewees identifying or presenting as male, female, gender neutral, gender queer, gender fluid, and gender fuck). The in-depth interviews, in the teens’ own voice with only minimal and clearly differentiated commentary or additional information from Kuklin (and in one case, from the interviewee’s mother), also cover a gamut of topics, ranging from their internal process of identification growing up, reactions from parents, struggles at school, medical aspects of their transition, dating and sex, and interests and education. The presentation of the spectrum of experiences is remarkably nuanced and sensitive, never insisting that the trans-ness of the teens is the defining feature of their lives but also not ignoring its importance. Kuklin also brings her skills as a photographer to the book’s design, using some pictures documentary-style interspersed throughout an individual’s interview, others grouped as breathtaking galleries that explore expression or isolation. This is a resource a number of different libraries will want to have, for teens looking for representations of those like themselves or those they’re operating in solidarity with, for teens who are beginning to have questions about identity or transition, and for teens who are seeking to expand their understanding of the rainbow. Extensive back matter includes an authors’ note about the origins of the book, a glossary, and a hefty list of additional resources.