Now Available
Transgender Profiles: Time for a Change
Order Now
Order A Signed Copy
I’m so excited to let you know that my new book, Transgender Profiles: Time for a Change was published with Brown Books in the Spring of 2018. This book features in-depth interviews with some of the wonderful transgender people I have come to know over the years.
Get to know how life is for transgender people.
Reviews
Loving and Caring
"Linda DeFruscio is a true gift to this world; a successful and talented skin-care professional, exceptional researcher and writer, motivational speaker, outstanding conversationalist, and an overall compassionate and considerate woman. In her inspirational work, "Transgender Profiles - Time for a Change," we discover the stories of twenty amazing individuals; their courageous acts of transition and unforgettable words of advice. Throughout the text, Linda provides us with incredibly valuable medical information, stemming from her impressive breadth of professional experience and personal encounters. Not only does this work open one's eyes and mind to the transgender community; it goes beyond that to remind us of the importance of loving and caring for one another. Thanks to people like Linda DeFruscio, our world is becoming a more accepting and safer place."
"Linda DeFruscio is a true gift to this world; a successful and talented skin-care professional, exceptional researcher and writer, motivational speaker, outstanding conversationalist, and an overall compassionate and considerate woman. In her inspirational work, "Transgender Profiles - Time for a Change," we discover the stories of twenty amazing individuals; their courageous acts of transition and unforgettable words of advice. Throughout the text, Linda provides us with incredibly valuable medical information, stemming from her impressive breadth of professional experience and personal encounters. Not only does this work open one's eyes and mind to the transgender community; it goes beyond that to remind us of the importance of loving and caring for one another. Thanks to people like Linda DeFruscio, our world is becoming a more accepting and safer place."
~ Andrew J. Safioleas, Pharm.D., M.B.A., P.R.S., R.Ph.
Inpatient Pharmacist and Music Instructor
Tolerance and Acceptance
“Linda DeFruscio has written a comprehensive and enlightening must read primer for anyone who is beginning their transition from male to female or female to male. Courageous transgender women share obstacles they face as they embark on their journey’s to find new places in the world; while rediscovering themselves. As they share personal heartfelt stories, a thread of commonality shows the reader the importance of living your truth, loving yourself and teaching others the importance of tolerance and acceptance. Linda brilliantly peppers these incredible stories by sharing her perspective and relationships as their electrologist; while also educating her readers on what it means to be transgender. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!!!"
“Linda DeFruscio has written a comprehensive and enlightening must read primer for anyone who is beginning their transition from male to female or female to male. Courageous transgender women share obstacles they face as they embark on their journey’s to find new places in the world; while rediscovering themselves. As they share personal heartfelt stories, a thread of commonality shows the reader the importance of living your truth, loving yourself and teaching others the importance of tolerance and acceptance. Linda brilliantly peppers these incredible stories by sharing her perspective and relationships as their electrologist; while also educating her readers on what it means to be transgender. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!!!"
~ Jeanette Renee
Mother of Jazz on Tuesdays on TLC "I Am Jazz"
Difficult Decisions
"Transgender Profiles is an in depth reveal of the transgender world. Linda DeFruscio pulls back the curtain and allows us to witness the difficult decision making process that patients from all walks of life have chosen to go through. The book makes it clear that from a very early age these patients were struggling with the concept of their gender identity. This gender dysphoria is hard wired and has a biologic origin. This is not a choice, but must be done at any cost. As a Physician in this field, the book is a very accurate description of the struggles, failures, and successes within the transgender community. This book will help the reader better understand the transgender community and hopefully lead to a greater degree of tolerance and acceptance."
"Transgender Profiles is an in depth reveal of the transgender world. Linda DeFruscio pulls back the curtain and allows us to witness the difficult decision making process that patients from all walks of life have chosen to go through. The book makes it clear that from a very early age these patients were struggling with the concept of their gender identity. This gender dysphoria is hard wired and has a biologic origin. This is not a choice, but must be done at any cost. As a Physician in this field, the book is a very accurate description of the struggles, failures, and successes within the transgender community. This book will help the reader better understand the transgender community and hopefully lead to a greater degree of tolerance and acceptance."
~ Joseph A. Russo, M.D.
Plastic Surgery & Cosmetic Center
Portrait Of The Transgender Experience
"Linda DeFruscio has drawn on her decades of experience providing the most intimate and protracted clinical procedures to paint a vivid and unique portrait of the transgender experience."
"Linda DeFruscio has drawn on her decades of experience providing the most intimate and protracted clinical procedures to paint a vivid and unique portrait of the transgender experience."
~ C.R. Lindley, M.D.
Neurology & Psychiatry
Learn From This Book
“Linda DeFruscio and her colleagues have been helping trans people for quite a while-- and there are more of us on the way. This clear, helpful collection tells many of our stories in the irreplaceable and accessible form of brief oral histories; it's also got information about the medical and skin-related services that we may need, that some of us don't understand, and that she both understands and provides. A lot of people will learn a lot from this book.”
“Linda DeFruscio and her colleagues have been helping trans people for quite a while-- and there are more of us on the way. This clear, helpful collection tells many of our stories in the irreplaceable and accessible form of brief oral histories; it's also got information about the medical and skin-related services that we may need, that some of us don't understand, and that she both understands and provides. A lot of people will learn a lot from this book.”
~ Stephanie Burt, PhD
Professor of English, Harvard University
Linda Is A Good Friend To Transgender People
“Linda DeFruscio is a treasure of so much oral history, which has been shared by so many people on so many journeys, whom she befriended over the past decades. People have come and gone, yet Linda has maintained friendships over time. So many in the gender variant community lack these consistent friendships. She has been there for so many, yet asks nothing for her friendship, except that the same is offered in return. Many, but not all, offer this, but nonetheless, Linda still is there for each new person that comes her way. The language of what we call ourselves is changing faster than any of us can keep up with. The labels of whether we are transgender, transsexual, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, non-binary or whatever new name or label will evolve in the next day or week or year, matters greatly to each individual but can be confusing to others. Linda has never been caught up in the labels, but has built friendships with the people. Yes...the more things change, the more they stay the same. Each of us needs to share our story. That is a constant. Linda has been and still is a treasure, and as you read the following stories, I am certain you will understand why I say this."
“Linda DeFruscio is a treasure of so much oral history, which has been shared by so many people on so many journeys, whom she befriended over the past decades. People have come and gone, yet Linda has maintained friendships over time. So many in the gender variant community lack these consistent friendships. She has been there for so many, yet asks nothing for her friendship, except that the same is offered in return. Many, but not all, offer this, but nonetheless, Linda still is there for each new person that comes her way. The language of what we call ourselves is changing faster than any of us can keep up with. The labels of whether we are transgender, transsexual, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, non-binary or whatever new name or label will evolve in the next day or week or year, matters greatly to each individual but can be confusing to others. Linda has never been caught up in the labels, but has built friendships with the people. Yes...the more things change, the more they stay the same. Each of us needs to share our story. That is a constant. Linda has been and still is a treasure, and as you read the following stories, I am certain you will understand why I say this."
~ Grace Anne Stevens, Author, Speaker and Trainer
"No! Maybe? Yes! Living My Truth" "Musings on Living Authentically" "Handbooks for Humans"
I Love The Stories In This Book
"The people profiled are young, old(er) and in between, and while their experiences all have points in common, each one is also unique. This book is a great read for people who genuinely want to get to know their trans brothers and sisters. You have to be one miserable person to read it and not find your heart opening to what each individual goes through to close the gap between who she/he appeared to be and who she/he knew to be her/his authentic self. And the book is inspirational! Even if you have no gender issues yourself, you have probably experienced a gap that makes you feel less than authentic. Maybe you were always lacking confidence and therefore shy but always wanted to be the person up at the podium. Maybe you were always fearful but know at heart that you were born to be adventurous. The point is, there is a lot to learn here, because the desire to become more authentic is something we can all relate to. In addition to the profiles, the author tells her own story about how she came to know so many people in the transgender community. She also shares the wealth of knowledge she has gained over the years working with people in the trans community. It's all fascinating stuff. And kudos to the author for getting this book out into the world in these times when so many trans people are being persecuted in some way."
"The people profiled are young, old(er) and in between, and while their experiences all have points in common, each one is also unique. This book is a great read for people who genuinely want to get to know their trans brothers and sisters. You have to be one miserable person to read it and not find your heart opening to what each individual goes through to close the gap between who she/he appeared to be and who she/he knew to be her/his authentic self. And the book is inspirational! Even if you have no gender issues yourself, you have probably experienced a gap that makes you feel less than authentic. Maybe you were always lacking confidence and therefore shy but always wanted to be the person up at the podium. Maybe you were always fearful but know at heart that you were born to be adventurous. The point is, there is a lot to learn here, because the desire to become more authentic is something we can all relate to. In addition to the profiles, the author tells her own story about how she came to know so many people in the transgender community. She also shares the wealth of knowledge she has gained over the years working with people in the trans community. It's all fascinating stuff. And kudos to the author for getting this book out into the world in these times when so many trans people are being persecuted in some way."
~ Joan Schweighardt
Occasionally, I Like To Challenge Myself By Reading Something I Wouldn’t Normally Pick Up
"When I saw this book, I realized I knew nothing about the transgender experience. The book gave me a window into the anguish people experience when their bodies don’t fit with who they are inside. Everyone profiled in the book talked about how, as children, they felt a disconnect with their outward gender. As hard as they tried to squash that feeling, it persisted into adulthood until, eventually, they had to do something about it. I was also stunned to learn what these people are willing to endure physically--through surgery, electrolysis, and laser treatments—as well as financially. Books like Transgender Profiles will be a comfort to others confused about their true gender identity. It also delivers practical information about some of the financial and emotional costs associated with making a gender change. The book expanded my understanding of the transgender experience. I'm glad I read it. "
"When I saw this book, I realized I knew nothing about the transgender experience. The book gave me a window into the anguish people experience when their bodies don’t fit with who they are inside. Everyone profiled in the book talked about how, as children, they felt a disconnect with their outward gender. As hard as they tried to squash that feeling, it persisted into adulthood until, eventually, they had to do something about it. I was also stunned to learn what these people are willing to endure physically--through surgery, electrolysis, and laser treatments—as well as financially. Books like Transgender Profiles will be a comfort to others confused about their true gender identity. It also delivers practical information about some of the financial and emotional costs associated with making a gender change. The book expanded my understanding of the transgender experience. I'm glad I read it. "
~ Kate Early
I Enjoyed This Informative and Educational Book
"Highly recommend it and it is a quick read. I could not put it down. Good for the expert and layman."
"Highly recommend it and it is a quick read. I could not put it down. Good for the expert and layman."
~ Richard Neyman
It Was Great To Read Some Of The Stories, Most Especially Those Of Friends
"The stories were very compelling."
"The stories were very compelling."
~ Emma
Linda Is A Wonderful Ally and Advocate For The Trans Community In The Boston Area
"She has transformed countless lives with her expertise in the field of hair removal and skin care, which is a vital part of many male-to-female transitions. I found her book at the Boston Public Library at Copley, where it is available for anyone that wants to read it and learn more about transgender people. It is filled with real stories about the journeys of trans women and also has factual information that provides a great overview of the trans experience. It is a great new addition to the growing number of books about trans women's transformations - and is highly recommended for anyone in the community!"
"She has transformed countless lives with her expertise in the field of hair removal and skin care, which is a vital part of many male-to-female transitions. I found her book at the Boston Public Library at Copley, where it is available for anyone that wants to read it and learn more about transgender people. It is filled with real stories about the journeys of trans women and also has factual information that provides a great overview of the trans experience. It is a great new addition to the growing number of books about trans women's transformations - and is highly recommended for anyone in the community!"
~ Juliana
Beautiful and Uplifting
"I want to commend and thank you for your beautiful and uplifting Transgender Profiles. You manage to treat a very technical as well as politically/emotionally-charged subject area with sensitivity and grace. The accounts showed both the triumphs and disappointments, and the enormous personal and financial costs that these courageous people have gone through. My own story contains some pieces of many of those life stories of the individuals that you profiled, as well as some additional circumstances, since everyone has a unique story, which you point out. It has taken me many years to admit to myself what I needed to do, and I am finally coming to terms with my true identity. Thank you for again for being an advocate for the trans community, and for using your talents to make the world a much better place."
"I want to commend and thank you for your beautiful and uplifting Transgender Profiles. You manage to treat a very technical as well as politically/emotionally-charged subject area with sensitivity and grace. The accounts showed both the triumphs and disappointments, and the enormous personal and financial costs that these courageous people have gone through. My own story contains some pieces of many of those life stories of the individuals that you profiled, as well as some additional circumstances, since everyone has a unique story, which you point out. It has taken me many years to admit to myself what I needed to do, and I am finally coming to terms with my true identity. Thank you for again for being an advocate for the trans community, and for using your talents to make the world a much better place."
~ R. Schlesinger
Attorney, NY