It was only in my teens that I found the words to express who I was and what I needed to do. Since then, I've been on testosterone for more than a decade - I know, I can't believe it either - I've also had top and bottom surgery and legally changed my sex, so I know a few things about the transitioning process and being trans! I want to welcome you to The T in LGBT where you can explore and learn about so many topics surrounding gender identity: realising you're trans, starting hormones, considering surgery, and everything in between. Whether you're questioning your own identity and are looking for advice on certain stages of transition, or whether you're wanting to learn about the trans experience to support someone or understand ally ship, I hope this book can be your one-stop guide to everything trans related. Starting with some of the big questions about identity (considering who we are and how we perceive ourselves), it then leads into trans history, gender politics and all possible aspects of trans life including coming out, relationships and gender confirmation surgery, as well as sharing a wealth of useful resources, help and advice. All the while, it uses examples from the author’s own experience to provide real context, confidence and reassurance. There’s even a transgender hall of fame. It’s quite simply an indispensable handbook and a comprehensive guide to all things trans and/or non-binary. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, however, when I do, I typically find them very helpful, and this was no exception. I believe that books on particular subjects should where possible be written by the people who have knowledge and/or experience related to that subject. The same way that medical journals are written medical professionals and people who have studied in that field for a significant amount of time. I say that because if someone who isn't qualified and knowledgeable in the field is writing it there's higher chances for misinformation to be unintentionally spread further, or the information could be biased against that group. It also makes more sense to me for someone who implicitly understands the content they're writing to be the author of that work. What's The T? covers a wide variety of topics, all of which play a part in the trans experience. These range from things like realising that you're trans and what to do next, to the trials of dating and romance whilst trans, and even information and resources for parents and loved ones of trans people who want to be more supportive and accommodating. It was also great to see the beautiful and wonderful Luxeria make her appearance a couple of times.

Juno is a regular contributor to Attitude Magazine, Glamour Magazine and The Guardian and has contributed to news items on BBC Women’s Hour, Front Row, ITV News, Channel 5 News, This Morning and Newsnight concerning sexuality, identity, literature and education. As a cisgender ally to the LGBTQ+ community Juno has taught me so much. This book has made me question things about my own gender identity (I've realised there is much about myself which is gender-nonconforming), made me think about how I can be a better ally and as a parent how best I could respond if one of my own children came out as trans. There's so much wonderful content in this book so I won't go over all of it here. Just know every chapter is intelligent and beautifully written. It is rare for me to re-read a book but I feel this may be one of the few exceptions, I feel that I should, and need, to read it again! Both because it is amazing and because I want to make sure I have truly taken in everything Juno has to say and understand it in the best way I can. Her next novel is the beautiful and emotive MARGOT & ME (Jan 2017) which will be followed by her adult debut, the memoir THE GENDER GAMES (Jul 17).Written in a very colloquial and mostly lighthearted style, this book seems to aim at a slightly younger audience. This isn't a complaint -many people start questioning their gender in their teens, and a 'Trans 101' book such as this, that doesn't weigh itself down with scientific lingo, is much more accessible than most other options. Jamie Raines writes the book that his 16-year-old self needed – The T in LGBT. Written in honest, accessible prose, Jamie helps readers to navigate the often confusing process of transitioning, using his own experience and the voices of other trans people. By finding the words to express himself, 12 years after realising he was trans, Jamie helps to empower those voices yet to be heard as well as those seeking to learn more. In an interview, he expanded on his intentions for the book. If you had read a similar book when you were realising your gender identity, how would that have helped you? I genuinely thought that my only way to experience dating and relationships was to delay coming out and transitioning. I was 16 at the time, I identified as a lesbian, and had been in two relationships so far, neither of which had felt right because I didn’t feel right. They also … just … weren’t right. I really wanted to experience those ‘typical teenage moments of dating. Flirting, going on a cringey date, having that ‘do they/don’t they like me’ panic. But I just couldn’t hold off being myself. This is all sounding really sad, but I’m pleased to report that none of my fears were true. I’ve been in a relationship for the past 11 years with someone who loves me and accepts me fully for who I am. Dating apps are so varied. Many mainstream ones allow you to share that you’re trans publicly on your profile, if that’s something you want to do. For apps that don’t have this as a feature, some trans people choose to share this anyway in their bios. Some apps have the aim of being trans-friendly and inclusive – but do keep in mind that this doesn’t mean every individual using the app will be trans-inclusive, even if the company has this ethos.

You are lovable. I don’t think trans people get told this enough. I certainly didn’t hear it – ever – when I first came out, and I think being told that I was lovable would have helped a huge amount. I did, however, realise this was a big concern for my mum. That somehow, coming out could change whether I would live a happy and fulfilled life, including finding a partner. Not because she didn’t think I could or should, but because of society’s opinion and treatment of trans people. So, to all the trans people reading who need to hear it: you are lovable. Being trans doesn’t exclude you from finding love in all of its forms. I wanted to add something that was a combination of my personal journey mixed with the personal journeys of others. Jaime has a casual and humorous tone that makes the book feel really accessible while also not shying away from difficult topics.With this being such a big, and often scary subject, it needs a very special kind of writing style to make it not seem overwhelming or overly complex; this is after all one of the more rare and varied things a person can go through, and no two trans people or their journeys are going to be exactly the same. Thankfully, Dawson manages to make the topic feel very easy to get a handle on, thanks in large part to her very conversational style of writing. Most of the time reading this book it felt like I was sitting down with Juno, simply talking to her. She made these big concepts and issues feel more manageable, and broke them down in ways that a complete layman would be able to grasp. Sadly, most of this coverage comes from people who hold negative, and often incorrect and ill informed, views on the trans community. These articles, presented as thing pieces, often contain very open and obvious transphobia, and help to spread this by not challenging these lies, or featuring trans voices to oppose them. Just this month the BBC has stated that it doesn't feel it needs to include trans voices on programmes such as Newsnight to counter negative views on trans people. But it really is 'Trans 101'. If you are trans and already at a stage where your precious coins are going towards reading material instead of, say, a binder or a pair of heels that come in size 43, chances are you'll know everything that's in here.