This book investigates how the lives and social practices of Latin American transvestites challenge conventional psychiatric classifications and sexual identity frameworks. Author Jacobo Schifter utilizes sociological research and personal documentation to examine the intersection of gender identity, sexual practice, and the public health crisis of HIV/AIDS. By centering the voices of this marginalized population, the work argues for a more nuanced understanding of identity that moves beyond binary medical labels to better address systemic health disparities.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the intersection of gender studies and public health policy in Latin America. Readers frequently note the clinical yet empathetic approach the author takes when documenting the lives of his subjects.