A Review of Becoming Nicole, by Amy Ellis Nutt

On April 14, 2017, Minnesota Public Radio reported that a group of parents in Virginia, MN had dropped a lawsuit against their school district. They had been trying to prevent students from using bathrooms appropriate to their gender identity. A few weeks earlier, the North Carolina legislature had overturned their own law that had stated that students must use the bathroom appropriate to the sex listed on their birth certificates. Money had prevailed over bigotry, the state having lost a great deal of money from corporations withdrawing business from North Carolina because of that law.  

Nicole’s earlier struggle for equality was heard by Maine Supreme Court in January, 2014. Becoming Nicole takes us to the late 90s when Wyatt, an identical twin who had identified as female from age two, encountered harassment when he used the girls’ restroom. His school, which had been supportive of him until a multiple stall bathroom for fifth graders raised this issue for the first time, failed to support him. Many years later, by the time a lawsuit against the school had been resolved, a boy who had bullied Nicole/Wyatt, wondered whether her identical twin was disappointed about losing a brother. Jonas never was, and once said to Nicole, “I never had a brother. You were always a sister to me.”

Becoming Nicole starts when the identical twins were toddlers. It is a fast-paced, engrossing tale of a family under enormous stress, and inserts two chapters on scientific findings on transgenderism, almost all of which was new information to me. This fascinating book is as much Nicole’s family’s story as hers. Whereas her mother and brother accepted that Nicole was transgender early on, her father resisted the concept until Nicole was bullied in the fifth grade, propelling the family to file a lawsuit against the school for failing to protect her. A father’s love for and determination to protect his child evolved into his eventual understanding that she could only be happy if recognized as the girl she knew herself to be. Three years later, in 2011, Nicole’s father testified before the Maine legislature that he was “the proud father of identical twins. One is a boy and one is a girl.”

Anyone who may feel a little uncomfortable around transgender people is likely to find this book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Amy Ellis Nutt transformative. Others will find their compassion stirred.

Becoming Nicole, the Transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt. New York: Random House, 2015.

Linda Muldoon, Ph.D., LP, is a member of the MPA Diversity Committee. She is a graduate of the clinical psychology training program at the University of Minnesota.

Share this post:

Comments on "A Review of Becoming Nicole, by Amy Ellis Nutt"

Comments 0-5 of 18

- Friday, November 01, 2024
2016411221

I'm delighted to share how I successfully overcame the Herpes virus using natural medication {HERBS}. Through a native local medicine prepared by Doctor Awase, I managed to suppress the virus and improve my overall well-being at the first week. Two weeks into taking the medication, I became fine totally and no more single outbreak/symptoms. Today, I'm living a fulfilling and Herpes-free life.![cured] Confirmed by my Doctor after going for a medical checkup. I am herpes free. Demonstrating that natural approaches can offer effective solutions for health challenges such as herpes. He also cures HPV, PCOS, Endometriosis and lots more. You can reach out to this great herbal specialist through WhatsApp/Text +2349074997110 Email:- dr.awaseherbalhome@gmail. com

- Wednesday, October 23, 2024
2015630140

HOW I WAS CURED FROM HERPES VIRUS I am writing this testimonial with immense gratitude and a renewed sense of hope in my heart. For years, I battled with the physical and emotional torment caused by the herpes virus. It felt like an unending struggle, until I discovered a remarkable solution that changed my life forever. Like many others, I had tried countless remedies, medications and therapies in search of a cure. I had lost hope, resigned to the belief that herpes was something I would have to live with indefinitely. However, fate intervened and led me to a breakthrough that altered the course of my life. Upon stumbling upon a revolutionary treatment option, my skepticism slowly transformed into a flicker of hope. The treatment was a natural remedy from Dr Awase [ HERBS ] Over time, as I followed the treatment diligently, I started noticing positive changes and I experienced a boost in my overall well-being. I am ecstatic to share that I am now herpes-free confirmed by my Dr after a test was done. The treatment I received was nothing short of miraculous and I couldn’t be more grateful. I have regained my self-confidence and the burden that once weighed heavily upon me has been lifted. I was cured of my herpes virus through natural medication. If you, like me, have been struggling with herpes and searching for a way out, please know that hope exists. May my story inspire hope in the hearts of those who need it. He also specializes in getting rid of HPV, OVARIAN CYST, PCOS, HEPATITIS and a lot more. Contact on WhatsApp +2349074997110 Email:- dr.awaseherbalhome@gmail. com

- Wednesday, October 23, 2024
2015630140

HOW I WAS CURED FROM HERPES VIRUS I am writing this testimonial with immense gratitude and a renewed sense of hope in my heart. For years, I battled with the physical and emotional torment caused by the herpes virus. It felt like an unending struggle, until I discovered a remarkable solution that changed my life forever. Like many others, I had tried countless remedies, medications and therapies in search of a cure. I had lost hope, resigned to the belief that herpes was something I would have to live with indefinitely. However, fate intervened and led me to a breakthrough that altered the course of my life. Upon stumbling upon a revolutionary treatment option, my skepticism slowly transformed into a flicker of hope. The treatment was a natural remedy from Dr Awase [ HERBS ] Over time, as I followed the treatment diligently, I started noticing positive changes and I experienced a boost in my overall well-being. I am ecstatic to share that I am now herpes-free confirmed by my Dr after a test was done. The treatment I received was nothing short of miraculous and I couldn’t be more grateful. I have regained my self-confidence and the burden that once weighed heavily upon me has been lifted. I was cured of my herpes virus through natural medication. If you, like me, have been struggling with herpes and searching for a way out, please know that hope exists. May my story inspire hope in the hearts of those who need it. He also specializes in getting rid of HPV, OVARIAN CYST, PCOS, HEPATITIS and a lot more. Contact on WhatsApp +2349074997110 Email:- dr.awaseherbalhome@gmail. com

- Wednesday, October 23, 2024
2015630140

HOW I WAS CURED FROM HERPES VIRUS I am writing this testimonial with immense gratitude and a renewed sense of hope in my heart. For years, I battled with the physical and emotional torment caused by the herpes virus. It felt like an unending struggle, until I discovered a remarkable solution that changed my life forever. Like many others, I had tried countless remedies, medications and therapies in search of a cure. I had lost hope, resigned to the belief that herpes was something I would have to live with indefinitely. However, fate intervened and led me to a breakthrough that altered the course of my life. Upon stumbling upon a revolutionary treatment option, my skepticism slowly transformed into a flicker of hope. The treatment was a natural remedy from Dr Awase [ HERBS ] Over time, as I followed the treatment diligently, I started noticing positive changes and I experienced a boost in my overall well-being. I am ecstatic to share that I am now herpes-free confirmed by my Dr after a test was done. The treatment I received was nothing short of miraculous and I couldn’t be more grateful. I have regained my self-confidence and the burden that once weighed heavily upon me has been lifted. I was cured of my herpes virus through natural medication. If you, like me, have been struggling with herpes and searching for a way out, please know that hope exists. May my story inspire hope in the hearts of those who need it. He also specializes in getting rid of HPV, OVARIAN CYST, PCOS, HEPATITIS and a lot more. Contact on WhatsApp +2349074997110 Email:- dr.awaseherbalhome@gmail. com

- Wednesday, October 23, 2024
2015630140

HOW I WAS CURED FROM HERPES VIRUS I am writing this testimonial with immense gratitude and a renewed sense of hope in my heart. For years, I battled with the physical and emotional torment caused by the herpes virus. It felt like an unending struggle, until I discovered a remarkable solution that changed my life forever. Like many others, I had tried countless remedies, medications and therapies in search of a cure. I had lost hope, resigned to the belief that herpes was something I would have to live with indefinitely. However, fate intervened and led me to a breakthrough that altered the course of my life. Upon stumbling upon a revolutionary treatment option, my skepticism slowly transformed into a flicker of hope. The treatment was a natural remedy from Dr Awase [ HERBS ] Over time, as I followed the treatment diligently, I started noticing positive changes and I experienced a boost in my overall well-being. I am ecstatic to share that I am now herpes-free confirmed by my Dr after a test was done. The treatment I received was nothing short of miraculous and I couldn’t be more grateful. I have regained my self-confidence and the burden that once weighed heavily upon me has been lifted. I was cured of my herpes virus through natural medication. If you, like me, have been struggling with herpes and searching for a way out, please know that hope exists. May my story inspire hope in the hearts of those who need it. He also specializes in getting rid of HPV, OVARIAN CYST, PCOS, HEPATITIS and a lot more. Contact on WhatsApp +2349074997110 Email:- dr.awaseherbalhome@gmail. com

Please login to comment