‘My Name is Philippa’ is the perfect title for this memoir, given how many challenges and obstacles it took for Philippa to be able to say that one sentence. When Philippa Ryder was born, it was into a traditional Irish society, limited in its views, and steadfast to its Catholic beliefs. Even within her very happy home, those views were conservative, and what was different was not celebrated, but rejected or ignored.
This meant that a young Philippa, then named Brendan, was not confident to explore her identity, was frightened at the growing awareness within her that she had been born into the wrong gender, and had nobody to talk to about what was happening.
This was a 1960s Ireland that did not provide information for those who felt as Philippa did, who had no answers to what was happening to Philippa, even from the age of 10 and who punished such identity struggles, at the peril of the mental health of those concerned.
This memoir is unflinching in its honesty, remaining compelling, fascinating, and determined right up to the end.
My Name is Philippa
by Philippa Ryder
Description
‘My Name is Philippa offers every reader a story that will change their heart. So be prepared, with a mind open enough to hear Philippa’s story, to feel altered by the palpable love that fills these pages. As she herself proclaims in the opening line, "This is primarily a love story”.’ Katherine E. Zappone.
With the support and help of her family, Philippa Ryder helped transform Irish culture. Growing up as a boy in the 1960s seemed wrong to her. Why did she want to dress in her sister’s clothes and later her wife’s? It wasn’t until the 1990s, she found she wasn’t the only person to do this. Philippa is transgender.
Transitioning from male to female wasn’t an easy journey. My Name is Philippa is a remarkable memoir, and above all, a story about love, understanding and a family who stuck together as Philippa moved from husband and father to wife and mother.
Within these pages Philippa offers answers to many questions people ask, genuinely, to understand what it means to be transgender. She describes the physical as well as the emotional process of Transition. Philippa’s life story joins the global march to freedom and empowerment for every gendered human being. She voices truth out of silence, courage through fear, and joy by following the horizon she sees.
More Information
Rights Information
All rights available
Reviews
Dymphna Nugent’s weekly book review for the Waterford News & Star
"This is a story of love, life, truth and optimism. The memoir is a joy to read, very engaging, sometimes poignant, and deeply honest, as Philippa draws the reader in to her extremely personal and private experience" - Colette McNulty
'A deep look inside a difficult, but wonderful life, I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it in 3 sittings!' Amazon review
Author Biography
Philippa Ryder, Chief Operative Officer, Over the Rainbow., Dublin Pride, Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), LGBT Ireland, BeLonGTo, Transgender Europe, Sporting Pride (Ireland’s LGBTQ sports organisation), GCN magazine.; National of Ireland; Born in Dublin, Ireland is a prominent LGBTQ+ activist, a passionate, inclusive feminist and human rights speaker. Philippa is COO of Under the Rainbow, a workplace wellness, diversity and inclusion company that provides information and support for people to build the confidence to be themselves by educating, informing and encouraging companies and state bodies to embrace Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.
Philippa is married to Helen and they have a beautiful daughter. She joined the civil service in 1980 and completed a Land Surveying degree in the mid-1990s. She has seen Ireland become a multi-cultural and inclusive country. Philippa has one notable characteristic. She is transgender.
Copyright Information
2021 Philippa Ryder
Mercier Press
Mercier Press is an independent publisher of extraordinary books. For over seventy-five years Mercier has endeavoured to publish work that we hope will play a part in informing public opinion, bringing Irish culture and history to the people of Ireland and those further afield. It is our belief in the importance of Ireland’s ability to provide accessible histories and cultural books for Irish readers and all who are interested in Irish cultural life. Founded in 1944, Mercier is Ireland's oldest independent publisher; proudly Irish, and based Cork.
View all titlesBibliographic Information
- Publisher Mercier Press
- Publication Date October 2021
- ISBN/Identifier 9781781177938
- Publication Country or regionIreland
- FormatPaperback
- Primary Price 16.99 EUR
- Pages288
- Publish StatusPublished
- Original Language TitleMy Name is Philippa
- Original Language AuthorsPhilippa Ryder
- EditionFirst
- Copyright Year2022
- Dimensions215x153 mm
Thank you for proceeding with this offer.
Mercier Press has chosen to review this offer before it proceeds.
You will receive an email update that will bring you back to complete the process.
You can also check the status in the My Offers area
Mercier Press has chosen to review this offer before it proceeds.
You will receive an email update that will bring you back to complete the process.
You can also check the status in the My Offers area
Please wait while the payment is being prepared.
Do not close this window.
(c) Copyright 2025 - Frankfurt Rights. All Right Reserved