The Last Time I Wore a Dress

The Last Time I Wore a Dress is a memoir chronicling Daphne Scholinski's experiences in mental health institutions as a teenager in the 1980s. At age 15, Scholinski was diagnosed with "Gender Identity Disorder" and committed to psychiatric hospitals for failing to conform to gender norms. During nearly three years of institutionalization, Scholinski faced attempts by doctors and staff to "cure" her through various treatments and behavioral modification programs. The memoir documents daily life inside the institutions, interactions with other patients, and the author's struggle to maintain her sense of self. Through straightforward prose and vivid detail, Scholinski recounts her path from initial diagnosis through multiple facilities and eventual release. The narrative includes excerpts from her medical records and psychiatric evaluations, providing context for the treatment practices of that era. This memoir raises questions about medical authority, gender expression, and society's attempts to enforce conformity through psychiatric diagnosis. The book serves as both historical document and critique of how mental health institutions have approached gender nonconformity.

Readers describe this memoir as raw, honest and eye-opening about psychiatric treatment of gender non-conformity in the 1980s. The narrative style receives praise for being straightforward and accessible while tackling difficult subject matter. What readers liked: - Clear, direct writing style that maintains momentum - Personal details that illuminate systemic issues - Balance between heavy topics and moments of hope - Insight into mental health treatment history What readers disliked: - Some sections feel rushed or underdeveloped - Ending leaves certain threads unresolved - Writing can be uneven in parts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (90+ ratings) Sample review quotes: "Powerful without being preachy" - Goodreads reviewer "Should be required reading for mental health professionals" - Amazon reviewer "Made me angry but also gave me hope" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🔹 Daphne Scholinski (now Dylan Scholinski) spent three years in mental institutions as a teenager in the 1980s, diagnosed with "Gender Identity Disorder" for not conforming to feminine stereotypes. 🔸 After release, the author became a successful artist and founded the Sent(a)Mental Studios in Denver, which provides art programs for at-risk youth. 🔹 The book's publication in 1997 helped expose the practice of institutionalizing teens for gender nonconformity, contributing to growing awareness about LGBTQ+ youth rights. 🔸 The author's treatment included mandatory makeup sessions and instructions on how to walk, sit, and act in a more "feminine" way—practices now widely considered unethical and harmful. 🔹 The memoir was developed from journal entries and medical records the author obtained years after release, revealing how mental health professionals pathologized gender expression in the 1980s.