Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love and So Much More

In 2011, __Marie Claire__ magazine published a profile of Janet Mock in which she stepped forward for the first time as a trans woman. Those twenty-three hundred words were life-altering for the People.com editor, turning her into an influential and outspoken public figure and a desperately needed voice for an often voiceless community. In these pages, she offers a bold and inspiring perspective on being young, multicultural, economically challenged, and transgender in America. Welcomed into the world as her parents' firstborn son, Mock decided early on that she would be her own person—no matter what. She struggled as the smart, determined child in a deeply loving yet ill-equipped family that lacked the money, education, and resources necessary to help her thrive. Mock navigated her way through her teen years without parental guidance, but luckily, with the support of a few close friends and mentors, she emerged much stronger, ready to take on—and... In 2011, Marie Claire magazine published a profile of Janet Mock in which she stepped forward for the first time as a trans woman. Those 2300 words were life-altering for the People.com editor, turning her into an influential and outspoken public figure and a desperately needed voice for an often voiceless community. In these pages, she offers a bold and inspiring perspective on being young, multicultural, economically challenged, and transgender in America. Welcomed into the world as her parents firstborn son, Mock decided early on that she would be her own personno matter what. She struggled as the smart, determined child in a deeply loving yet ill-equipped family that lacked the money, education, and resources necessary to help her thrive. Mock navigated her way through her teen years without parental guidance, but luckily, with the support of a few close friends and mentors, she emerged much stronger, ready to take onand maybe even changethe world. This powerful memoir follows Mocks quest for identity, from an early, unwavering conviction about her gender to a turbulent adolescence in Honolulu that saw her transitioning during the tender years of high school, self-medicating with hormones at fifteen, and flying across the world alone for sex reassignment surgery at just eighteen. With unflinching honesty, Mock uses her own experience to impart vital insight about the unique challenges and vulnerabilities of trans youth and brave girls like herself. Despite the hurdles, Mock received a scholarship to college and moved to New York City, where she earned a masters degree, enjoyed the success of an enviable career, and told no one about her past. She remained deeply guarded until she fell for a man who called her the woman of his dreams. Love fortified her with the strength to finally tell her story, enabling her to embody the undeniable power of testimony and become a fierce advocate for a marginalized and misunderstood community. A profound statement of affirmation from a courageous woman, Redefining Realness provides a whole new outlook on what it means to be a woman today, and shows as never before how to be authentic, unapologetic, and wholly yourself. "In a landmark book, an extraordinary young woman recounts her coming-of-age as a transgender teen--a deeply personal and empowering portrait of self-revelation, adversity, and heroism. In 2011, Marie Claire magazine published a profile of Janet Mock in which she publicly stepped forward for the first time as a trans woman. Since then, Mock has gone from covering the red carpet for People.com to advocating for all those who live within the shadows of society. Redefining Realness offers a bold new perspective on being young, multiracial, economically challenged, and transgender in America. Welcomed into the world as her parents' firstborn son, Mock set out early on to be her own person--no simple feat for a young person like herself. She struggled as the smart, determined child in a deeply loving, yet ill-equipped family that lacked money, education, and resources. Mock had to navigate her way through her teen years without parental guidance but luckily with a few close friends and mentors she overcame extremely daunting hurdles. This powerful memoir follows Mock's quest for identity, from her early gender conviction to a turbulent adolescence in Honolulu that found her transitioning through the halls of her school, self-medicating with hormones at fifteen, and flying across the world for sex reassignment surgery at just eighteen. Ever resilient, Mock emerged with a scholarship to college and moved to New York City, where she earned her masters degree, basked in the success of an enviable career, and told no one about her past. It wasn't until Mock fell for a man who called her the woman of his dreams that she felt ready to finally tell her story, becoming a fierce advocate for girls like herself. A profound statement of affirmation from a courageous woman, Redefining Realness shows as never before what it means to be a woman today and how to be yourself when you don't fit the mold created for you"-- Provided by publisher In A Landmark Book, An Extraordinary Young Woman Recounts Her Coming-of-age As A Transgender Teen--a Deeply Personal And Empowering Portrait Of Self-revelation, Adversity, And Heroism. In 2011, Marie Claire Magazine Published A Profile Of Janet Mock In Which She Publicly Stepped Forward For The First Time As A Trans Woman. Since Then, Mock Has Gone From Covering The Red Carpet For People.com To Advocating For All Those Who Live Within The Shadows Of Society. Redefining Realness Offers A Bold New Perspective On Being Young, Multiracial, Economically Challenged, And Transgender In America. Welcomed Into The World As Her Parents' Firstborn Son, Mock Set Out Early On To Be Her Own Person--no Simple Feat For A Young Person Like Herself. She Struggled As The Smart, Determined Child In A Deeply Loving, Yet Ill-equipped Family That Lacked Money, Education, And Resources. Mock Had To Navigate Her Way Through Her Teen Years Without Parental Guidance But Luckily With A Few Close Friends And Mentors She Overcame Extremely Daunting Hurdles. This Powerful Memoir Follows Mock's Quest For Identity, From Her Early Gender Conviction To A Turbulent Adolescence In Honolulu That Found Her Transitioning Through The Halls Of Her School, Self-medicating With Hormones At Fifteen, And Flying Across The World For Sex Reassignment Surgery At Just Eighteen. Ever Resilient, Mock Emerged With A Scholarship To College And Moved To New York City, Where She Earned Her Masters Degree, Basked In The Success Of An Enviable Career, And Told No One About Her Past. It Wasn't Until Mock Fell For A Man Who Called Her The Woman Of His Dreams That She Felt Ready To Finally Tell Her Story, Becoming A Fierce Advocate For Girls Like Herself. A Profound Statement Of Affirmation From A Courageous Woman, Redefining Realness Shows As Never Before What It Means To Be A Woman Today And How To Be Yourself When You Don't Fit The Mold Created For You-- Janet Mock. New York Times Bestseller Winner of the 2015 WOMEN'S WAY Book Prize Goodreads Best of 2014 Semi-Finalist Books for a Better Life Award Finalist Lambda Literary Award Finalist Time Magazine "30 Most Influential People on the Internet" American Library Association Stonewall Honor Book In her profound and courageous New York Times bestseller, Janet Mock establishes herself as a resounding and inspirational voice for the transgender community#8212;and anyone fighting to define themselves on their own terms. With unflinching honesty and moving prose, Janet Mock relays her experiences of growing up young, multiracial, poor, and trans in America, offering readers accessible language while imparting vital insight about the unique challenges and vulnerabilities of a marginalized and misunderstood population. Though undoubtedly an account of one woman's quest for self at all costs, Redefining Realness is a powerful vision of possibility and self-realization, pushing us all toward greater acceptance of one another#8212;and of ourselves#8212;showing as never before how to be unapologetic and real