Do you think society is more accepting of transgender individuals than they were ten years ago?

Peter's overwhelming conviction from childhood that he was truly female is at the heart of the book. Do you think his resulting emotions (isolation, confusion, shame) are common for people in his situation? Do you think society is more accepting of transgender individuals than they were ten years ago? 

Yes and no. Certainly the media is addressing this more. With tv shows like Orange is the New Black and Transparent and Bruce Jenner speaking out publicly, it is more present. However, I think there is still great prejudice, judgement and shame. I do hope it will change more in my life time.

Absolutely, we have come far in ten years. This was a topic that was not discussed openly. We still have a long way to go to understand and to accept ourselves and each other.

Thanks to the media and certainly to Bruce Jenner, the public is much more aware of the issue of transgender. Accepting? I'm not so sure people are totally there yet.

I think we are better educated and more aware of transgender individuals. Sadly, I don't think this has translated into acceptance. Hopefully, down the road, the acceptance will come.

I think society is more aware of transgendered individuals. Accepting, not so much. I have always longed for a world where color and gender are seen as interesting characteristics, not sources of fear and hatred. I don't think we are even close to realizing that hope.

Yes. Granted, there are still ridiculous amounts of prejudice against transgender people but, hopefully, this is changing. I believe that, as the transgender community is more recognized, people will become more accepting. When we met a transgender person at the Verizon store, my 9-year-old son didn't even see it as a big deal ... not even worthy of comment. Biases are learned and, again hopefully, current generations will not pass their prejudices along to the next.

I am hopeful that society is more accepting of transgendered people and cameronr's story about her 9 year old's reaction makes me even more hopeful.

With all the media focus at the moment I think we have become more familiar and aware of transgender people. There will always be segments of our world who can not accept anything that is different and I find that sad. I think in time they will be as accepted as the gay community.

Society is more accepting and I believe it will continue to improve. So interesting that the Jenner situation came up about the same time and I could compare the two. Different socio-economic status, ethnicity, culture etc. can give you freedom or further hinder a desire to be who you feel you are.

Given all the publicity with Bruce/Caitlin Jenner, it would seem the world is more accepting, and I believe it to be true more in other countries than the United States - unfortunately. I think these souls are tortured, and to be regarded as "a freak show" which I've read, is very unfortunate.

It is a start. The word transgender covers many orientations knowing that is a big step forward.

There are so many religions that reject, punish, condemn anyone GLBT. With that depressing thought it makes me think that society will move forward but never totally change. Religion is a HUGE hurtle. Sorry

I agree with tracyb, it is unfortunate the things we do and say in the name of God. All He asked was that "we love one another as we love ourselves" We are far off the mark.

Yes, I think in Western societies transgender is more recognized & accepted. We still have more to understand and help people make the transition easier. In other parts of the world there is still much more that is not accepted so overall, it will be a slow process, but hopefully the world will become a more enlightened place.

Maybe somewhat but I wonder what they really think? People in the media and political arena are afraid to give their honest opinions because sometimes the consequences are not worth it. Loss of job, votes, prestige. So though it appears it is more accepted now, I'm not sure it really is.

I think people are more informed and accepting than they were ten years ago, but still not very accepting.

I think perhaps it's so difficult because most of us can't imagine being as desperately uncomfortable with our genders as people like Peter/Audrey and Caitlyn Jenner are. I think that books such as this one and Jenner's willingness to be so public about the transition help move us closer to understanding. I know I found the book enlightening from that standpoint.

Much more accepting than 10 years ago

People can be very cruel which is exemplified in the fictitious childhood friends of Peter's and in the death of the young man in Montreal during Halloween festivities. People can also be hypocritical in that if they are engaged in a conversation about gender issues, they will "save face" as Peter did and offer opinions that are in line with the general attitudes of the group. I am wondering how many people will watch Caitlyn Jenner accept the Arthur Ashe Courageous Athlete Award at the ESPYs for his courage in letting go of Bruce and becoming Caitlyn or simply watch to see how close the Amy Leibowitz photograph in Vanity Fair matches his appearance. I am not sure if people are more tolerant now than 1o years ago or more used to hearing about transgender issues and thus less shocked by transgender individuals. I think the media could do much to help people become more compassionate and tolerant if they would not sensationalize transgender stories so much. Give society a few more years and something else more "shocking" will come along and transgender individuals will not be given a second thought. Anyway, if science provides the means, why should people suffer and live afraid and unhappily as Peter did.

Prior to 10 years ago little was even know about transgender individuals. The gay movement has broadened the acceptance of sexual differeces, but transgender individuals have a long way to go.

I agree with swchis39, we have a long way to go. Scientists themselves are not clear on the subject. They say a person's sex is determined at birth, but gender is not. Gender can be learned, explored, adopted or even forced on a person. Genetics, hormones, society all play a role in gender. Who are we to
judge a person's decision, when we still know so little.

Yes. I met a sale clerk recently at a store and told her how lovely her makeup was and wished I could put makeup on as well. She glowed with the compliment. I don't think ten years ago I would have had the nerve to talk to a transgender person like that but now feel perfectly comfortable she is just like any other woman to me.