Persia West was born 67 years ago in Liverpool where she spent her childhood and went to the local boy’s school.
She says even though she secretly knew she was Trans, she had no words to express what she was.
She fled from those hard times as soon as she could, to find herself on the road, a gender outlaw on the run, away for more than 20 years, in Japan mostly, but also in India, Canada, Spain, California and many more interesting places.
She says; “Now I see those years as the search for myself. Happily, I did find myself in the end, through my spiritual search and practice, and came to settle in Brighton, which is a home for many wanderers; certainly a home for me.
“I like being the age I am. I don’t do dramas any more, so life is simpler and sweeter. I’ve done many daft things in my life, but have done smart things too. I’ve been a meditator since 1970, have practised yoga for years, swim and walk far. My health is great, my body and mind in good shape. I’m busy with writing, giving talks and readings, travelling. I have a loving partner, a fine son, and the best dog in the world.
“It’s a good time of life. Although I’m busy, life being full, I always have time to smell the flowers.”
Persia’s most recent book Just Be Kind came out of her long years speaking, writing and consulting on Diversity and Human Rights issues, locally in Brighton and the UK, as well as across Europe.
In explaining where she finds herself in her life today, at 67 years old she points to her quote on the back cover, “it took me a lifetime to get this simple”.
For all LGBT people, in fact for anyone at all, Persia maintains the essential approach of kindness has real power. When she took this on board herself, she found that it really was, as the subtitle to the book says; “one way to change her world”.
“Understanding of others is not always possible, nor necessary, I can just be kind anyway, no matter what”.
This surprisingly simple, but not always easy message is powerfully expounded in the book, and richly illustrated with examples.
Her writing is clear and elegant, always interesting, often touching, and very relevant to how all of us from any kind of minority want to be treated, and how we treat others.
The book has fifteen short chapters, each looking deeply into a different aspect of the power of Just be Kind, for example The Manly Art of Kindness, which comes from Persia’s own trans insights into the nature of men and women.
She says; “we always have to begin at home if we want to see change in the way people treat us.”
The book costs £6.99 and is available on Amazon
For more information about Persia West, CLICK HERE:
You must be logged in to post a comment.