TRANS BOOK TO BE RELEASED

A new South African book documenting the life stories of a number of transgender South Africans is to be released.

Titled TRANS: Transgender life stories from South Africa, the book aims to take the reader “on a journey into the many worlds inhabited by transgender South Africans”.

It includes the personal experiences of more than twenty people from the trans community who have ‘transitioned, are transitioning or will transition’ and who have all been actively involved in the process of making the book.

Their stories are complemented by photographs by renowned photographer, Robert Hamblin.

“The life stories recounted in this collection are both inspiring and compelling and reveal the courage and strength of each of the story tellers involved”, said the publishers in a press release.

The book’s release follows recent public interest in transgender issues brought about by the furore surrounding South African athlete Caster Semenya’s gender-testing.

TRANS, which is edited by Ruth Morgan, Charl Marais and Joy Rosemary Wellbeloved and is published by Fanele (an imprint of Jacana Media), along with Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA) and Gender DynamiX, will be launched in Cape Town on 20 November and Johannesburg on 28 November.