In society at present, we’re in a time in which everyone has heard something about transgender people. Whether that’s been a famous persons’ coming out, controversy over where we go to the toilet or discussions over how the biology of trans women affects whether they should be allowed to compete alongside cisgender women in sports.

Because of this – facts, opinions and information about the lives of transgender people have evolved into a talking point in wider society. Most people now have an opinion on trans issues but have not usually informed that opinion by speaking to a trans person first-hand.

This book, written by a mother and son covers what it’s really like to come out and live as a trans person. It’s a memoir which covers Leo’s growing up, coming out and how between us we managed, and didn’t manage, his transition. Each chapter has copy from both of us related to the same time period and events and describes what was going on for each of us through that period.

In it we hope to show both sides of the coming out and transition process – how it was for Leo, and how it was for me as his mum. We hope that especially our story, from two ‘normal’ people will help to give an appreciation of the issues, pain and struggle for trans people and parents. We hope it will be interesting for people to see both sides of the process and hear from a mother and son. We want to show that trans people are also just…people.