The Bride was a Boy (Hanayome wa Motodanshi)
The Bride was a Boy
(Hanayome was Motodanshi)
by Chii
💘
Reviewed by:
Danni Dickey, Eli Dominguez, Jackie Figueroa,
Brian Freeman, and Maria Mull
Book Review:
Originally written in Japanese,
this manga-styled book specifically follows Chii as she navigates her social
and personal life while dealing with her arduous transition from male to female
(MTF). A heartwarming story, Chii's love life unfolds before readers' eyes with
adorable animations while also providing an informational approach at complex
terminology concerning gender identity and Japanese law (an example of how she
tackles complex terminology to the right). Unlike other texts, this story deals
with the process of transitioning and being recognized by the government but
does not delve too deep into controversial problems, making it a lighthearted
read. Thus, this book is perfect for adolescents in that it introduces LGBTQA+
individuals and issues pertaining to their community.
If readers are looking for a novel
that goes deeper into dark and taboo topics pertaining to the transgender
community, this is not it. The book simply provides an overview of what it
means to be transgender in Japanese society, which evidently is not an
experience that every person can relate to worldwide. Furthermore, Chii is a
Japanese trans woman, which is an experience that differs greatly from those
who are Japanese trans men (for example, sexual reassignment surgery, hormones,
gender roles etc.). Another important aspect to mention is the fact that it's
based in Japan, which is a culture that does not mirror those around the world.
The way that other countries deal with LGBTQA+ people culturally and legally
does not go hand-in-hand with Japan's societal approval. This basically means
that it does not capture the whole essence within the trans community
worldwide, which may leave room for people to make one-sided conclusions about
them. Chii's personal experience was also a very positive one, which is not
always the case with other people's life situations.
This is not to undermine the beauty
and rawness of Chii's experience, because it is a wholesome autobiography, but
it does touch the transitioning process on a surface level. Transgender issues
and anything associated with the LGBTQA+ is realistically problematic in public
school settings around the United States. Hence, it is imperative that
educators who wish to have books like this in their classrooms to tread
lightly, because it may cause unforeseen problems.
On a lighter note, it does bring
forth gender identity and how it can apply to anybody, which is a nice surprise
because it demonstrates that it does not only apply to people who identify as
transgender. There are a myriad of definitions provided throughout the book
that inform readers really well. As a result, it engages readers because they
do not have to pair themselves with a dictionary or computer in order to
understand the jargon that comes with gender and sexuality. It provides
inclusivity which aids in making this whole manga an easy read. Additionally,
the story is chronological and is paired up with illustrations that make it
simple to follow along. It captures the emotions well which causes emotional
attachment to her as a character.
All of the information that Chii
presents is cited by reliable articles, making her a credible resource. This
information can be found at the end of the book, which is a nice touch because
if readers want to do research after reading it, they have somewhere to start.
She ends on a great note where she wants people to understand what the process
looks like.
Instructional Resources:
1. A Call To Action in Japan - The link takes you to a website that describes the current state of the LGBTQA+ community in Japan. The author of the movement states that people of the LGBTQA+ community are harassed by all sorts of individuals, which includes both education and government officials. Transgender people who wish to be recognized by the country must adhere to sterilization.
2. What Is Transgender - This website is provided by Planned Parenthood and aims to educate people on what it means to be transgender. It also provides information on how to treat members of the community appropriately without offending anyone.
3. Transgender Video - A video that tells the story of a transgender male named Levi who was diagnosed with GID (Gender Identity Disorder) at the age of ten. He knew from such a young age that he was, without a doubt, a boy born in a girl's body. Unsurprisingly, doctors did not take his diagnosis at such a young age seriously, which led them to conduct two more diagnoses at the age of seventeen until finally, they decided to approve his reassignment surgery (female to male). Through this story, viewers can see a real-life experience of what someone has to go through to become who they really are.
4. Other Manga about Transgender - The following link provides anyone interested with a list of manga-style books that tell similar transgender stories to that of Chii's. Although not the same experiences, it offers a diverse point of view of how this journey is not the same for everybody.
5. What is Gender Dysphoria - This website by Lumen Boundless Psychology tells the reader what Gender Dysphoria is (formerly known as GID). The website provides information that defines, tells you the diagnostic criteria, tells the controversy in society, the etiology, and tells the treatment for gender dysphoria along with many more key points that are listed at the top of the website.
6. Sexual Orientation vs Gender Identity - An interesting article presented by CBS News where they differentiate the differences between sexuality and gender identity. It pulls in commentary not only from experts but from people in the community. Aside from the article itself, it also provides a 30-minute video pertaining to the subject, making it a viable option in case the article is deemed too dry by the instructor/s.
7. Japan Urged to Stop Transgender Sterilization Process - Article presented by NBC News where they talk about Japan's strict requirement of having the desired gender's genitalia to be accepted. In other words, without sex reassignment surgery, transgender people cannot be legally recognized by the Japanese government as their desired gender identity.
8. How to Read Manga - This link is useful in that it teaches people how to read the manga. Unlike the novel that Americans are used to reading, manga has a specific way of being read and can make it difficult to understand if those unspoken rules are not known. The information on this page goes step by step on how to go about reading a manga.
9. Knowing Your Rights as a Trans Student - This link is useful because it provides students with information when they are learning about gender identities in school. Often times, subjects like these can cause hostility towards students or misinformation can be spread than can be harmful to students. Here, a student who is trans can look to determine what rights they have within the education system and do not have to feel alienated in the case that they are treated unjustly.
10. How to be an Ally of Trans People - This link provides information for those individuals who do not necessarily identify as Trans but also want to support the people who. Here, one can learn about being supportive of others and how to go about being an ally without spreading misinformation. It teaches how to be respectful and supportive towards Trans people, what questions to ask and what not to ask, and how to speak out against Transphobia.
9. Knowing Your Rights as a Trans Student - This link is useful because it provides students with information when they are learning about gender identities in school. Often times, subjects like these can cause hostility towards students or misinformation can be spread than can be harmful to students. Here, a student who is trans can look to determine what rights they have within the education system and do not have to feel alienated in the case that they are treated unjustly.
10. How to be an Ally of Trans People - This link provides information for those individuals who do not necessarily identify as Trans but also want to support the people who. Here, one can learn about being supportive of others and how to go about being an ally without spreading misinformation. It teaches how to be respectful and supportive towards Trans people, what questions to ask and what not to ask, and how to speak out against Transphobia.
Instructional Activity:
They, She, He, Me, Free to Be!
Introduction to The Bride was a Boy by Chii
Preview:
Today, many
brave souls are choosing themselves and being honest with the world to come out
to who they truly are. With more
transgender individuals, it is important to also include in the diversity in
the classroom. Students need to be able to see themselves and learn from those
who do not reflect their identities. Providing awareness does not automatically
result in understanding; many students may and will have questions. This lesson
is a way to provide information and help to answer questions students may have.
This lesson provides the
first-day of introduction slides, links to the videos in the slides, and the
article the students will read in class. During the period, the students will
learn and discuss identity, transgender, and introduce Chii’s The Bride was
a Boy. The steps and estimated time are provided below. Changes can be made
to fit a teacher’s unit plan. Through these activities, students take on the
role of informative peers learning about diversity and identities.
California Common Core Standards:
SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups and teacher-led) with diverse
partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts and issues, building on others' ideas and
expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information
presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively,
orally), evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
SL.9-10.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks,
demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
W.9-10.2d Use precise language and domain-specific
vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic.
W.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the
development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose and
audience.
W.9-10.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts
to support analysis, reflection, and research.
They, She, He, Me, Free to Be! PowerPoint Presentation
This is the introduction of PowerPoint to begin the unit on Chii's of The Bride was a Boy.
They, She, He, Me, Free to Be! Handout
This is the handout that compliments the presentation.
Jackson Bird's TedTalk
"Being There for Nonbinary Youth" by Jey Ehrenhalt
Instructional Plan:
Step 1: Let the class know of the new unit that is happening, or continuing if using a Teaching Tolerance unit. Open the slide on google drive. Let students know of the plan to introduce Chii's book, The Bride was a Boy. (2-3 minutes)
Step 2: Move to the next slide to share with the standards that the students are planning to accomplish. (2-3 minutes)
Step 3: Stop on the slide with Joel Baum & Kim Westheimer's quote providing time for the students to read it silently and then listen to their thoughts and opinions. (5 minutes)
Step 4: The next slide is another participation to have students start considering the teaching of identity and what it means to them. Have students get in pairs of 2-3 to define what they believe identity is. (2-3 minutes)
Step 5: Continuing on the presentation. The next slide introduces the term, Transgender, which is the identity of the main character in Chii's manga novel. It is important to establish terms, so students can learn about identities and start to understand, which can help to teach tolerance. (5 minutes)
Step 6: The next slide is the article, "Being There for Nonbinary Youth," by Jey Ehrenhalt. The students are to read the article and then talk about it in small groups. Students are to take notes and then, for homework, record a response on the blog that is located on Google Classroom, or another online classroom. Students are to respond to their fellow peers. (15-20 minutes)
Step 7: The following slide asks: "Why it is important to respect one's identity?" Students are to take a moment to think about reasons and then talk in small groups. Each group shares what they discussed. (5 minutes)
Step 8: Next students will watch two TedTalks by Jackson Bird and Lee Mokobe. Jackson is sharing his experience and is more informative, while Lee's is a slam poem on Transgender. (10 minutes)
Step 9: The next slide is the introduction to the book and author, Chii. It includes information about the book and the author, as well as the award the book won. (2-3 minutes)
Step 10: Since not every student may be familiar with Japanese Manga, this slide gives information about how to read the graphic novel. (2-3 minutes)
Step 11: The final slide for the lecture before assigning the homework is to wrap up what was discussed over the class period. (5 minutes)
Step 12: The homework slide is to assign the homework and what is expected for the next class period. (2-3 minutes)
Bibliography
Bird, Jackson. “How to Talk (and Listen) to Transgender People.” TED
Boundless. “Boundless Psychology.” Lumen, https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless psychology/chapter/gender-dysphoria/.Chii, The Bride was a Boy. Comic House. 2018
“The Difference between Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-difference-between-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity/.
Gaffney, Carrie, et al. “Being There for Nonbinary Youth.” Teaching Tolerance, https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2016/being-there-for-nonbinary-youth.
Instructables. “How to Read Manga.” Instructables, Instructables, 13 Oct. 2017, https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-read-manga/.
“Japan: Demand Equality for LGBT People.” Japan: Demand Equality for LGBT People | Amnesty International, https://www.amnesty.org/en/get-involved/take-action/japan-demand-equality-
for-lgbt-people/.
“Know Your Rights: A Guide for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Students.” American Civil
Liberties Union, 2 Nov. 2017, https://www.aclu.org/other/know-your-rights-guide-trans-and gender-nonconforming-students.
“Manga with Transgender Themes.” Anime, https://www.anime planet.com/users/cervintine/lists/manga-with-transgender-themes-223832.
Mokobe, Lee. “A Powerful Poem About What It Feels like to Be Transgender.” TED
Parenthood, Planned. “What Does Transgender Mean?: Gender Identification Facts.” Planned Parenthood, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/trans-and gender-nonconforming-identities.
Press, The Associated. “Japan Urged to Stop Transgender Sterilization Requirement.” NBCNews.com, NBCUniversal News Group, 20 Mar. 2019, https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/japan-urged-stop-transgender-sterilization-requirement-n985386.
“Supporting the Transgender People in Your Life: A Guide to Being a Good Ally.” National Center for Transgender Equality, 10 July 2016, https://transequality.org/issues/resources/supporting-the-transgender-people-in-your-life-a-guide-to-being-a-good-ally.
"VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award Winners for 2018 Announced" Virginia Library Association, Virginia Library Association, 2017, https://www.vla.org/index.php
YouTube, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2SDbm0k3bc.
“ちぃさんのプロフィールページ.” さんのプロフィールページ, https://profile.ameba.jp/ameba/infection1985/.
"ちぃ(嫁ちゃん)＠花嫁は元男子" https://twitter.com/chii_gid_mtf?
