The quest to be oneself

Books have the ability to take us to strange new places: into the realms of science fiction, or into past ages, or cultures very different from our own. Sometimes books challenge us, stretch us, taking us beyond our comfort zones. Such books seem to take us “where no one has gone before”—only to find that we are latecomers to the party, and we’re playing catch up to the spirit of the times. Reading about transgender or nonbinary people was a new experience for me. (Gender Queer is one of the books selected by the Longview Library’s “Book Club for Our Times.” See end note, page 38.)

1. Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99

2. Bluey: The Pool Penguin Young Readers, $4.99

3. Jamberry Bruce Degen, HarperFestival, $8.99

4. Knight Owl Christopher Denise, Christy Ottaviano Books, $17.99

5. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Bill Martin, Jr., Eric Carle (Illus.), Henry Holt and Co. BYR, $8.99

6. Little Blue Truck Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry (Illus.), Clarion Books, $8.99

7. Bluey: Camping Penguin Young Readers, $5.99

8. Good Night, Gorilla Peggy Rathmann, Putnam, $8.99

9. Bluey: Good Night, Fruit Bat Penguin Young Readers, $4.99

10. Bluey: The Creek Penguin Young Readers, $4.99

By Alan Rose

When the doctors confirmed that I was intersex, I thought, Wow, I’m that whole other gender! It proved what I had been feeling all along. I was not only emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually both sexes; I was physically both sexes too. This is who I am. My mom was still in denial. She kept asking why I didn’t have a boyfriend.

-- from Beyond Magenta produces both relief and a new selfacceptance in Kobabe: I was born this way!

1. Working Boats Tom Crestodina, Little Bigfoot, $19.99

2. When You Trap a Tiger Tae Keller, Yearling, $8.99

3. On Air with Zoe Washington Janae Marks, Katherine Tegen Books, $19.99,

4. The Tryout: A Graphic Novel Christina Soontornvat, Joanna Cacao (Illus.), Graphix, $12.99

5. Odder Katherine Applegate, Charles Santoso (Illus.), Feiwel & Friends, $16.99

6. Minecraft: Guide to Combat Mojang AB, The Official Minecraft Team, Random House Worlds, $12.99

7. Allergic Megan Wagner Lloyd, Michelle Mee Nutter (Illus.), Graphix, $12.99

8. A Wolf Called Wander Rosanne Parry, Greenwillow Books, $7.99

9. The Awakening Storm Jaimal Yogis, Vivian Truong (Illus.), Graphix, $12.99

10. The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels Beth Lincoln, Claire Powell (Illus.), Dutton Books for Young Readers, $17.99 early, often tentative explorations in search of one’s true self (“Everyone knows what gay is. Nobody knew what trans is.”) and then their individual decisions on how to integrate their physical body with that true self. (“I could be so much more if I could just be myself.”)

Some of the teens are making a healthy, smooth transition to their new integrated identities; some are having a difficult time. Not surprising, a lot depends on the understanding and support they receive, or don’t receive, from their families and friends.

Alan’s haunting novel of the AIDS epidemic, As If Death Summoned, won the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award (LGBT category.) He can be reached at www.alan-rose.com.

Like a graphic novel, it’s a memoir told in illustrations and text. Born with female genitalia, artist/writer Maia Kobabe describes growing up with the inner sense of really being a boy. As a young adult, Kobabe discovers the work of Patricia Churchland, Ph.B. Her book, Touching a Nerve: Self as Brain, explains the influence of hormones on the development of a fetus, including instances where the “masculinizing of the brain does not follow the typical path … you could have male genitalia and a female brain.” This information

Beyond Magenta has the advantage of telling the stories of six trans teens, reflecting the diversity within the trans community. Through interviews, we hear their different voices:

“Transsexual. Even the name sounded weird to me. It was like I’m not born who I am; I have to transition to be who I am.”

The young people have very different stories, capturing the confusion (called gender dysphoria) they have lived with (“This has always been my worry: Am I going to look real?”) , the

They tell of their various therapies, of hormonal blockers; some discuss their decisions for surgery. Because counseling is a necessary component of any gender therapy, they share the insights and new perspectives they’ve come to.

(“When I first started my transition, I wanted to be complete, from one side to the other. But now I’m embracing my in-between-ness. I’m embracing this whole mix that I have inside myself. And I’m happy. So forget the category. Just talk to me. Get to know me.”)

They discuss trying to adapt to our culture’s gender expectations: “I like to think that I can fend off society’s male expectations pretty well. Society wants all kinds of things from the boys. They want cont page 38

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT IN CRR

Send your non-commercial community event info (name of event, beneficiary, sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) to publisher@crreader.com

Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to:

Columbia River Reader

1333-14th Ave

Longview, WA 98632

Submission Deadlines

Events occurring:

April 15–May 20 by Mar 25 for April 15 issue.

May 15–June 20 by April 25 for May 15 issue

Calendar submissions are considered for inclusion, subject to lead time, relevance to readers, and space limitations.

See Submission Guidelines below.

Submission Guidelines

Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) relevant to the publication’s purpose — helping readers discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road — are welcome. Longer pieces, or excerpts thereof, in response to previously-published articles, may be printed at the discretion of the publisher and subject to editing and space limitations.

Items sent to CRR will be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. Writer’s name and phone number must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered.

Political Endorsements CRR is a monthly publication serving readers in several towns, three counties, two states and beyond and does not publish Letters to the Editor that are endorsements or criticisms of political candidates or controversial issues. (Paid ad space is available.)

Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose. Advance contact with the editor is recommended. Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles.

Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority. Fundraisers must be sanctioned/sponsored by the benefiting non-profit organization. Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

What’s the Buzz? Catherine Givings, played by Olivia Chaney, wonders what’s buzzing “In the Next Room,” which opens March 17 at Stageworks Northwest Theatre in Longview. The 2009 play was nominated for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play and was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. Others in the cast and crew include Larry Fox, Naziah Hendrix, Cassandra Charles, Patrick Hale and Ethan Feide, Peter Curtis, and Mark Counts. Leslie Slape is director. Photo by Leslie Slape, who said despite the subject matter, the play is not risque. However, it is not recommended for young children. Details, Events listing column (at right).

Mount St. Helens Hiking Club

Schedule page 41

Fundraising Breakfast Hosted by Cowlitz Valley VFW Auxiliary #1045. 9–10:30am. April 8, and the second Saturday every month at the VFW Hall, 4311 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview Eggs cooked to order, sausage, biscuits and gravy, French toast, toast, coffee, orange juice and water. Cost is $7 per person. Proceeds support Veterans programs. Open to the public.

In the Next Room by Sarah Ruhl. March 17-18-19, Mar 31, April 1-2. 7:30pm Fri-Sat, 2pm Sundays. .Stageworks Northwest. 1433 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Tickets $20 general, $18 seniors/ students/veterans; group rates available. Tickets online at Stageworksnorthwest.co or box office. 360-636-4488.

Spellebration Mar. 23, 6pm, 21+, Grant’s at the Monticello, Longview. Spelling Bee with teams of 5, $25 per person, could win up to $500. Teams of 5 max, if you don’t have 5 come anyway. Up to $500 cash prize to winning team. Rules and info: Kelsorotary.org.

A Night to Remember Cabaret Follies. March 24-25; 7pm both nights, 2pm Saturday. Tickets $50, $35, $25. Buy online at columbiatheatre.com or call 360-575-8499. Benefits Youth & Family Link programs and services.

Quincy Grange 47th Annual Chicken

Dinner April 2nd 12-3pm at the grange. 78314 Rutters Rd. Clatskanie, Ore. Follow signs from Clatskanie 3.5 mi. Adults $15, 6-12 $6, under 6 free. Homemade fried chicken with all the fixins’ plus dessert. Eat at the grange or take dinner to-go. Proceeds benefit scholarships, youth groups, and community services. Questions: Ellen @ 503-7282886 or Barb @ 503-728-4143

Annual Kids’ Fish-In April 29, starting at 8:00am. Nine sessions of 45 kids with the last one ending at 4:45pm. Sponsored by Longview Early Edition Rotary. Register at Longview Parks & Recreation asap; the event typically fills up. Registration fee $10 per child. Limited to 1 adult per child inside the fishing area. Visit mylongview. com. or call 360- 442-5400 or stop by the office at 2920 Douglas Street, Longview.

Kelso Garden Club Spring Plant Sale

May 6, 9am–4pm. 2715 Northlake Ave., Longview. Variety of houseplants, annuals, perrenials, herbs, fruit and vegetables, trees and shrubs, yard art, gift items and planters. All sales CASH. Come early for best selection. Proceeds support Lower Columbia School Gardens, Arbor Day tree planting, Cowlitz County Fair exhibits and special gardening projects in the community. Contact club president Sarah Koss, sarahkoss@comcast.net for more info..

Call to Artists Annual Show St Helens, Ore Call to Artists Sat, May 20, 5–8pm. St. Helens Community Center, 2625 Gable Road, St Helens. Look for signs. Sponsor: Columbia Arts Guild, St. Helens. Open to artists showing original art, limit 10 original pieces. Entry fee per piece by CAG members is $3, non-members $5. Entries accepted on May 20, 9-11am at the community center. Info; Joan Youngberg, text/phone 503-369-1081. columbiaartsguild.com

Lower Columbia Genealogical Society Public Zoom meetings 2nd Thurs, 6pm. Visitors welcome, instructions, announcements. Program with guest speaker 7pm. For a Zoom link: lcgsgen@ yahoo.com.

Longview-Kelso Bridge Club Plays weekly, Monday 10:30am, Thurs 6:30pm. Kelso Senior Center, 106 NW 89th Ave., Kelso, near Rotary Spray Park. Free, open to everyone, adults of all ages welcome. Come play, or come watch and see if it looks like fun. Info: Jan, 360-425-0713.

Stella Historical Society Museum is officially CLOSED for the season, to reopen the weekend after July 4, 2023, 11–4. Watch for news about annual “Kid’s Day” celebration. Located at 8530 Ocean Beach Highway (10 miles west of Longview), Free admission; donations always welcome. For museum tours in the off season, call 360-423-3860 or 360-423-8663. Also available for Scouting tours, Eagle Scout projects and high school “community service” hours. For more info check Facebook.

Longview-Kelso

Community Concert Association

2023-24 Season, see page 8

Call to Artists

The Columbian Artists Association’s 45th Annual Spring Art Show (ad, facing page) is open to all artists in 2-D and 3-D media. All work will be judged/juried at entry. Intake day is March 21, 10am to 2pm. Prospectus available at: columbianartists. org. For questions contact: Eileen Thompson @206-949-9811 or webster9821@comcast.net

This may suit you!

The Longview-Kelso Duplicate Bridge Club meets Monday at 10:30am and Thursday at 6:30pm at the Kelso Senior Center, 106 NW 8th St., Kelso, Wash. (next to the Twin City Mall behind Jo-Ann’s store).

Do not let the term “Duplicate” scare you or stop you from coming to play with us! We welcome all bridge players whether new or experienced. There is a playing fee of $4. You do not have to belong to our club to play bridge and are welcome to come and watch us. We are a friendly group who enjoy the challenges of bridge. If you want to play but lack a bridge partner call us and we will see if we can find you a partner. Hope to see you soon. More info: Rich Carle 360)-425-0981; Jan Trussell 360-425-0713.

Thursday, March 23rd

Broadway Gallery

1418 Commerce Avenue, Longview

Tues thru Sat, 11–4. Visit the Gallery to see new work. For event updates check our website: the-broadwaygallery.com, at Broadway Gallery on Facebook, and broadway gallery longview on Instagram.

Featured Artists:

March: Gallery artists

John S.Crocker (photography & drawings); Trudy Woods (pottery).

April: Guest Artists

Leon Lowman (acrylic painting); Richard Britschgi (lapidary sculptures)

Join Us for First Thursday

April 6• 5:30–7:00pm

Join us for Nibbles & Bites!

Music by Brad Dutz

HOURS Tues - Sat 11–4

Classes and Workshops are back! Check our website or come into the Gallery.

We are a great place to buy gifts!

Voted one of top 3 Galleries in SW Washington. Free Gift wrapping plus Layaway!

Find a unique gift! We have beautiful artisan cards, jewelry, books by local authors, wearable art, original paintings, pottery, sculpture, photographs and so much more

The Minthorn Collection Of Chinese Art

A gift from Dr. and Mrs. H. Minthorn to the community via Lower Columbia College Foundation, The Minthorn Collection of Chinese Art encompasses a wide range of styles and is displayed in the upper level of the art gallery in LCC’s Rose Center, open Tues-Thurs, 10–3. Free.

from page 35 us to be masculine and to wrestle, to swear, and to be aggressive and assertive. To some degree, society wants us to be misogynistic.”

They discuss their attempts to change people’s ways of seeing them (and the dreaded pronouns): “I want people to use the pronouns them and they when referring to me because I consider myself both male and female. Since most people don’t understand that, I just tell them to use he. For years I was she, so it’s time to switch. I don’t like being a girl. I gave it a run. It didn’t work.”

Reading their stories, one can’t help but admire the courage of these young people fighting to discover, and then to live who they are. (“I enjoy life from a different perspective. I can see the world simultaneously from a male and a female perspective.”)

Part of their ongoing challenge will be a society that doesn’t understand, many who won’t even try to understand — If you think three genders is overwhelming, check out the 72 gender classifications at MedicineNet.

Both books testify to the mystery and complexity of what it means to be human, how varied we are, what wonders we are. It is something to celebrate. •••

Book Club for Our Times: Discuss books that are shaping today’s world

Daytime Group—Kelso Public Library, 2nd Wed, 11:30am. Evening Group—Longview Public Library, 1st Mon, 6:00pm. Check library websites for upcoming titles.

Kelso Garden Club Monthly meetings 3rd Friday of the month February to December, in the basement of Central Christian Church, 401 Crawford Street, Kelso beginning at 10am. Programs are provided for club members and members of the public are welcome to attend. The club works on various projects such as Arbor Day, Blue and Gold Star Markers in Tam O’Shanter park and Cowlitz County Fair. The public is also invited to the Spring Plant Sale on May 6.

Jorge Land Service

- Friday