Phallus Palace by Dean Kotula

Another book I read over my winter break...

Kotula, Dean. Consulting Editor William E. Parker. Phallus Palace: Female to Male Transsexuals. Los Angeles: Alyson Publications, 2002.

Dean Kotula, in his book, Phallus Palace, argues that “what is common to all transsexuals and what distinguishes them from other sexual minorities is an aversion toward or awkwardness with one’s genitals and a desire for sex-assignment surgery” (xx). More specifically, a differentiating aspect of Phallus Palace is its foregrounding of transition (surgical reassignment surgery from one sex to the other) as the central characteristic of transsexuals. Kotula supports his argument in part by: 1) speaking from his own experiences as a female to male transsexual; 2) gathering support from contributing authors, including Katherine Rachlin, Ph.D. and interviewed subject, Milton Diamond, Ph.D.; and 3) presenting the stories of several other FTMs. Kotula’s purpose is to make clear the difference between transsexuals and transgender people in order to reaffirm that while they have been born in female bodies, transsexual men are indeed male, and to reaffirm their desires and need for surgery. In addition, Kotula’s text is also concerned with educating and encouraging transsexual men, but also their allies to advocate for more, better scientific research, as well as improved surgical outcomes.

Katherine Rachlin’s essay, “FTM 101: Dispelling Myths About the Invisible and the Impossible” nicely presents the misinformation in scientific literature that has skewed the knowledge base on FTMs. Specifically, Rachlin points to the way in which particular framings of research and particular research questions lead to findings that are shaped in specific, biased/limited ways (reminiscent of Kath Weston’s introductory chapter in her 1998 book Long Slow Burn: Sexuality and Social Sciences).

Particularly interesting is Rachlin’s assertion that “most [FTMs] do not become actively interested in changing their body and living in their chosen role until they learn that it is possible. Most report that the wish was always there, but without the belief that it was possible, they did not attempt to actualize their potential” (10). Phallus Palace is certainly a book that could not only introduce the possibility of (surgical) transition to FTMs, but also fortify the conviction of those considering undergoing surgery. In fact, Kotula’s “Conversation with Milton Diamond” and its demystification of surgery and of some of the issues surrounding and processes leading up to surgery further acts as a resource and reaffirmation for those seeking surgery; as does “Part Four: The Surgeries” which provides interviews with doctors who perform sex-assignment surgeries, as well as detailed photos of such surgeries.

Personally, I’m skeptical of any assertion touting homogeneity of a group of people, as Kotula seems to do in regards to FTMs and their relationship to sex-assignment surgery. Also, I wish that other dimensions of difference (e.g., race, class, nationality) took an integral part within Phallus Palace’s discussion of sex-assignment surgery. (I do have to give props, though, to Diane Ellaborn’s essay, “Seeking Manhood: An Introductory Guide to Assessment of the Female-to-Male Adolescent” for its attention to age and the issue of transsexual youth.) Still, whether for trans scholars who may or may not agree with Kotula’s narrow definition of FTMs, FTMs exploring their surgical options, or those with a general interest in LGBT Studies, Phallus Palace is a text worth glancing. (Besides, it isn’t overly dense, and for some could be a relatively quick read.)