Reviews of My Husband Betty
“…well may become a standard text in gender studies.”
- Booklist
“… forthright and revelatory book . . . Honest and well researched…”
- Publishers Weekly
“… this will undoubtedly have a wider appeal to those curious about this subculture. Recommended for public and academic libraries.”
- Lucille M. Boone, San Jose P.L., CA., Library Journal
“Makes abundantly clear the complexities of life with a cross-dresser.”
- Kirkus Reviews
“an amazing resource that delves deep into the issues. . .”
- Tristan Taormino, The Village Voice
“This is an insider’s view of transvestism. It is sympathetic, understanding, but also realistic and critical. It should be essential reading not only for wives of transvestites (the author is a wife of one), but for transvestites and transgender individuals themselves. I know of no other book that gives such a realistic and all encompassing view of the topic. For those who are not involved in or with the transgender community, it ought to be a fascinating read about a group of people of whom they know little. I recommend it highly.”
- Vern L. Bullough, SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Past President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, Honored with the Kinsey Award for his research, and author of Crossdressing, Sex, and Gender
“… cutting, incisive, sometimes maddening”
- Riki Wilchins - GenderPAC
“…thorough and sophisticated… in the eloquent, graceful language of an artist.”
- Mariette Pathy Allen, Transformations: Crossdressers and Those Who Love Them
“This book is about freedom - the freedom that comes from self-knowledge and self-acceptance.”
- Lynn Conway, University of Michigan
“The most thorough study on crossdressing I’ve ever read. Helen Boyd speaks the truth, eloquently!”
- Gina Lance, Girl Talk
“Very easy reading, a no-nonsense book — & very informative.”
- Karen of Femme Fever
“Boyd, a pseudonymous New York writer, dissects her subject matter with the precision, ruthlessness and forensic skill of a surgeon. This is strong meat.”
- Anne Gordon of the UK Angels
“With so little existing research on heterosexual cross-dressers and virtually no sincere attention paid to them in mainstream culture, the aim of Ms. Boyd’s study—which raises insightful questions about the complex sexual orientation of cross-dressers—is commendable.”
- New York Observer
“The first 100% honest, no BS, no holds barred exploration of this subject.”
- Jude Russell for Metroline
“This is a landmark book.”
- Diane Frank of the Alpha Omega Society
“It’s an honest look at just about every aspect of the subject you can think of.”
- Stephanie Williams, Xpressions
“There are some books that become instant classics. This is one.”
- Willow Arune
“Intelligent, pragmatic observations and advice . . . See your local librarian or bookseller right away!”
- Travis Bissett, INTRAA
“An excellent text for gender studies courses, it is more than a piece of academia. It is a slice of some people’s lives. My Husband Betty is both informative and extremely personal.”
- Abby Ehmann, Eros Zine
“Helen misses nothing…and we, as crossdressers, should not miss reading this well written and articulate (book)…”
- Becky Adams, The Wild Rose
“Hard candor and tender insight and empathy. . . Helen has observed what few have seen, and much fewer speak of openly. A wonderful and informative book!”
- Vanessa Edwards Foster, Chair and Co-Founder, National Transgender Advocacy Coalition (NTAC)
“My Husband Betty should be liquefied, bagged, and plugged in as an IV drip for all self-questioning crossdressers and those in their lives.”
- Lacey Leigh, author of Out & About and 7 Secrets of Successful Crossdressers
“Helen Boyd’s My Husband Betty does the unimaginable - she casts light in corners crossdressers are shy to reveal. Loving interests guide the development of this handbook suitable for therapists, students, family members and transgender men and women. Educational, insightful and compassionate.”
- Gianna E. Israel, Transgender Care, and Journal of GLBT Family Studies Editorial Board
“With an engaging narrator, a certain amount of cultural critique of its own, and perhaps most importantly a lot of love and good humor, Boyd gives a comprehensive and engaging overview of the world of the male crossdresser.”
- S. Bear Bergman, author of Butch is a Noun