- Where and when does the individual live? What significant historical events were happening at that time that were relevant to this story?
- How does the person identify in terms of gender and sexuality?
- Did this change over time?
- Is this memoir purely retrospective (i.e. from memory) or does it contain contemporary sources (e.g. journal entries, letters, emails, blogs, books, current events)? What was the context/history of when it was written?
- Does the writer specify any particular role model that they knew personally or knew from mass media?
- Did the individual have access to reliable information and positive support to help them navigate their non-normative feelings around their gender identity and expression or sexual orientation?
- Given the time and place, was the reaction from family, friends, and the broader society what you might expect considering contemporary gender norms?
- In what significant ways do the individual’s other identities (e.g. race/ethnicity, class, ability, religion, vocation, marital status, immigration status, political status) intersect with their trans/gay/lesbian/queer identity? How have these multiple identities shaped their experience?
- Overall, how would you say being trans/queer impacts/impacted their lives.
Write a 6-page essay (Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, 1-inch margins)