"Growing up transgender in the 60s and 70s, when there weren’t many resources for gender dysphoric people, “Who She Wants to Be: an uncommon memoir,” recounts Tara’s life beginning with her childhood and trying to navigate what was expected of boys, but relating to and preferring the company of girls; dressing in her mom’s clothes and putting on her makeup (thinking she wouldn’t notice); confusion of who she was and trying to “cure” herself by destroying her girl’s clothes.
At 23, she began taking her mother’s estrogen pills then, on her own, found a doctor who would prescribe her hormones. She went in and out of transition until her mother urged her to get off the fence and come to terms with her transgender identity. The world opened for Tara once she became who she really was, gaining new friends and allies, and finding a generous gentleman who paid for her surgery."
