"Adventures of a New Transwoman: 1995-2017"

Deirdre will discuss her experience transitioning from Donald to Deirdre. We will follow her journey navigating the world and we’ll hear about the joys and pains of this journey. This talk relates to her book Crossing: A Memoir. The Library Journal shares this commentary on Crossing: "McCloskey, married for 30 years, the father of two, and an economics and history professor, was a secret crossdresser for 41 years, as ‘Jane.’ At 52, he realized that his real identity was as a woman and began transitioning as ‘Dee’ to become ‘Deirdre.’ At the heart of this fascinating and poignant story, told in the third person, are the two years (one in Holland) of hormones, multiple surgeries, electrolysis, and a legal name change, all part of the physical and emotional ‘crossing’ from male to female. The big-boned Deirdre describes the joy of ‘passing,’ the fear of being ‘read,’ and the occasional loving support she has received in contrast to painful estrangement from family, friends, and colleagues … Revealing, humorous, and provocative."