Orlando's Sleep

Orlando's Sleep

By Jennifer Spry

1997, New Victoria

186 Pages


From the Cover

An inspiring story of courage and perseverance toward the hardest goal of all - self-acceptance.

As a child Spry cherished the moments when he was left alone at home so he could dress up in his mother's clothes. In adolescence he tried to prove his manhood by competitive sailing and heavy drinking. When even marriage and fatherhood failed to make a man of him, John began the long journey towards recognition of herself as Jennifer, a woman and a lesbian.

"As more stories of our transgendered lives enter the culture, the pathway to acceptance and integration widens. Jennifer Spry's Orlando's Sleep is sure to open closed eyes and melt cold hearts." - Kate Bornstein

Table of Contents

1 1946-52 - Family background and childhood memories.
2 1952-64 - School days. Life at a boys-only school. First serious "cross-dressing."
3 1964-74 - Teenage years post school. Dating, parties and work. My ocean yacht racing years.
4 1974-79 - Marriage and living in America. Return to Australia and death of my mother.
5 1979-88 - Life in Australia, in the city and on an orchard. Bushfire and my first steps toward changing over.
6 1989 - Return to America. My "public outing" and seeking professional help.
7 1990 - My first holiday in Australia and coming out to my family - Ouch!
8 Sept-Oct 1990 - Moving out and starting to live alone for the first time in my life.
9 Oct-Nov 1990 - My first tentative steps as Jennifer. Going out in public.
10 Dec 1990-Jan 1991 - Going on hormones. Counseling and medical requirements
11 Feb-Mar 1991 - Life in the Upper Valley. Telling people and meeting old friends.
12 Mar-Sept 1991 - Making new friends and entry into the gay community.
13 Sept 1991 - Feb 1992 - Starting courses and planning for surgery.
14 Mar-July 1992 - Surgery and after.
15 July 1992 - Feb 1993 - Moving to Sharon and my first new Lesbian Affair.
16 Feb-July 1993 - Visiting Australia (with Sam) for the first time as Jennifer. Family reactions.
17 July-Dec 1993 - Return to America and packing to move back to Australia.
18 Dec 1993 - Feb 1994 - Back in Australia and settling down.
19 Conclusion - Thoughts and feelings. Attitudes of the gay and lesbian communities in Australia 1995. My first serious lesbian relationship since being married.