I’ve been kicking this idea around for the past couple of months called the Gender Transition Strategy Guide. The Guide would be a webzine that focuses on the many decisions faced by people in transition, and address them using the language and visual style of video game strategy guides. The idea came to me the first time I heard someone say that transition “is not a linear process.” I immediately imagined a tech tree, a concept familiar to strategy gamers where investments into particular technologies in a game unlock the potential for new research in a branching structure. I think that using terms and representations from gaming in the context of explaining transition could be a rewarding way to both help transition be a little less daunting for those starting out, and disrupt the dominant linear narrative pushed by cis culture.
Contributions to the Guide would be structured around five aspects of transition: social, medical, legal, cultural, and self-concept. I’m imagining writing and artwork taking the form of screenshots, level maps, FAQs, “Pro tips,” and the like. I would want to emphasize that the aspects do not form a linear path, but instead compliment each other at different times. Also it would be beneficial to include some history to show how the “game” has changed over time. Overall I would want the Guide to give readers a sense of confidence in their undertaking, and remind them that they are not going through transition alone. At the end of the Guide I would want to encourage readers to submit their own contributions to the zine, so that it could be a living document as the definition of transition shifts.
What would set the Guide apart from previous attempts to provide similar guidebooks would be its focus on high level solves to expand transitioner agency, rather than getting lost in details that might not hit the mark or age well. To give an example of what I mean, when I was first starting to rebuild my wardrobe I came across all of these tutorials on shopping as a transgender woman that recommended this kind of neck cut on shirts, or that combination of colors and patterns, ostensibly to better flatter a body that had been previously shaped by testosterone. I can tell you right now that so much of that advice turned out to be dead wrong for me, and that the best way to pick out clothes has been to try stuff on.
Crazy, I know, and scary for the early transitioner. But the truth is our bodies are unique and styles are broad, and so you just have to go out and see how things look on you. Go with a friend, keep an open mind (I never thought I would own this many floral prints!), and use the trip as an opportunity to gain comfort in unfamiliar spaces. Harness the euphoria that can come from exploring clothes to sustain you. And if you run out of steam, just call it and go home. Even getting out there and trying to shop is an accomplishment to be proud of. Experiences like clothes shopping are opportunities to stack transition milestones — c-c-c-combos, if you will! 🙃
I’m not ready quite yet to start collecting submissions for the Gender Transition Strategy Guide, but I wanted to share my idea in the hopes that anyone reading this might find themselves struck with inspiration and join my brainstorm. I would love to hear your thoughts, so send me an email if you’re so moved: eris@humankibble.com.