Transition Denied tells the story of a young transgender woman called Synestra who has difficulty navigating the often misunderstood world of being a transgender. It is the story of an intelligent young woman trying to define herself who unfortunately went spiralling downhill into drugs and sex work, and who ultimately met a tragic death from an overdose at a young age.
There is not a clear reason given why Synestra went into drugs and sex work despite her supportive and comfortable upbringing in a middle-class family and supportive environment at school. There was no suggestion either that being transgender was a reason, but a toxic clubbing subculture has certainly contributed to her involvement in sex work and drugs. What was apparent is that there was little help offered to Synestra from the medical community.
This book pleads to the medical community to do more to provide better care for transgender people and not neglect their needs. There is also a plea for better understanding and awareness in trans issues from the public at large and school communities, and this book also suggests ways to help and provide a better support system.
Transition Denied is written by a third party from a grieving mother’s point of view trying to make sense of her daughter’s transgender journey and her tragic early death. Synestra’s journey should not go unacknowledged. It is a recommended read for a better understanding of a transgender person and shows the barriers that a transgender person has to negotiate.