1.  Why is the term “gender reassignment surgery” described as delicate?

Response

2.    The writer admits that she wished her brother would “stay semi-in-the-closet”? What does this mean? How does the sentence that follows help to explain the term?

Response

3.    In paragraph 1, why does the writer mention the pool table her brother bought as a boy?

Response

4.    In your own words, how do the words “sex” and “gender” differ? According to the explanation the writer gives in paragraph 2, which of these two words fits better in the blank?

Gender

5.    In paragraph 4, how does the writer explain her anger at author Jan Morris? Why do you think she responds to Morris’s book in this way?

Response

6.    What contrast does Morris make between men and women in his book? Do you think this difference is real or is it just a stereotype?

Response

7.    What is the purpose of paragraph 5?

Response

8.    What does “it” refer to in paragraph 5?

Response

9.    In paragraph 6, the writer claims that Morris’s book angered her. Why?

Response

10.    Using context clues, infer the meaning of the following words:
a.    carapace (¶4)        skin, shell, cover

b.    frivolous (¶4)         fake; false;

c.    obliviousness (¶7)  not aware; forgetfulness; ignorant; not caring 

11.     How would you describe the writer’s attitude toward her brother’s decision to become her sister? How would you respond to a similar situation? Why?

Response

• Real Life: Transgender Children, Genderkinderen (2014 documentary; 48:33 min.)

• Andrej(a), dir. Eric Miclette (2015 documentary)
• Andreja Pejic for Make Up For Ever, Sephora (2015 advertisement; 0:35 min.)

• Lana Wachowski, HRC Visibility Award Acceptance Speech, Human Rights Campaign (2012; 31:09 min.)

• "Call Me Caitlyn," Vanity Fair (2015 documentary; 10:36 min.)

• The Danish Girl, dir. Tom Hooper, perf. Alicia Vikander, Amber Heard, Eddie Redmayne, Focus Features (2015 film)