If You Could Be Mine

by Sara Farizan

[layawaydragon]

It’s so sad, so real, so good in a terrific, heartbreaking way.

I felt very uncomfortable with Sarah's plan of transitioning. It’s just so wrong and ignorant and wrong. I understand the terrible fate she’s facing but damn. I KNEW that would not work out or end well. It through me for a loop how different being trans* is viewed there. They still face extreme discrimination and hardship but they aren't the sinners to be executed like gays and lesbians are. So unless you’re

I couldn't see it going any other way. And there's enough foreshadowing to make it obvious and it's unnecessary when you know the basics of what transitioning entails. The tension comes from the emotions and turmoil of Sarah and what she plans afterward it fails with zero good options for lesbians in Iran.

I felt the same way about the ending. While the situation sucks (understatement), there’s at least hope and a shot at happiness. Though it’s not perfect, it’s realistic which makes it hit all the harder.

There were great trans* characters and information. Maureen's story is heartbreaking too. I had a terrible sinking feeling when she popped up but it turned out better than I expected. I honestly thought it would be some trope filled bullshit.

There's still some involved with gender norms, but it's set up to be more thought-provoking than reinforcing. Like if Sarah is a woman without conforming, caring for "girly" things, and not feeling like one, then what makes a woman? Why is it trans* have to conform and prove themselves while cis do not?

I really loved how diverse and different the cast is.