Trans and Gender-Related Writing

Here is a list of books I've either read, heard good things about, or want to read. I was going to write reviews, but decided it would be more time-friendly to just link to amazon.com for information. If you know of any good books I'm missing, or want to submit a review, feel free to email me.

 

General Gender Info/Gender Theory

 

Bisexuality and Transgenderism: Intersexions of the Others

A variety of essays by different writers on a diverse spread of gender-related topics.

 

Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity

 

Normal: Transsexual CEOs, Crossdressing Cops, and Hermaphrodites with Attitude

Stories about different individuals from a variety of gender identities.

 

Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us

Great book that discusses why gender is not simply a binary system. This book is unique because, more than anything, it talks about being “genderqueer,” or not identifying completely with either sex. Suggests that gender is a spectrum, and no one really falls at the far ends of “male” or “female,” but are spread out between the two extremes.

 

My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You, or Something Else Entirely

 

True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals

 

Gender Shock

Discusses the implications of and alternatives to our society’s binary system of gender.

 

RC Series Bundle: Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity (Routledge Classics)

 

FTM: Female-to-Male Transsexuals in Society

An excellent and comprehensive book about FTM development throughout the lifespan

 

Gender Blending; Confronting the Limits of Duality

 

Transgender Voices: Beyond Women and Men

 

In a Queer Time and Place: Transgender Bodies, Subcultural Lives (Sexual Cultures)

 

Invisible Lives: The Erasure of Transsexual and Transgendered People

 

The Riddle of Gender

 

Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity

 

The Transgender Studies Reader

 

Queer Theory, Gender Theory: An Instant Primer

 

Read My Lips: Sexual Subversion and the End of Gender

 

 

Families, Friends, and Significant Others

 

Trans Forming Families: Real Stories About Transgendered Loved Ones, 2nd Edition

Book focusing on basic trans information, dealing with feelings that come up after learning that someone you know is trans, and coming to terms with having a trans family member. Very family-friendly

 

She's Not the Man I Married: My Life with a Transgender Husband

Boyd describes the impact her partner’s gender identity has on their relationship, and coming to terms with having a transgender partner.

 

The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals

**This is an excellent book - it would be the first book I'd recommend to parents and health professionals working with trans children. This book is miles beyond any similar books with it's comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate information that shows an extensive knowledge of and respect for the trans community.**

 

Dress Codes: Of Three Girlhoods---My Mother's, My Father's, and Mine

Memoirs written by the daughter of an MTF transsexual woman who began her transition after raising children and living for a long time in the role of father and husband

 

Out of the Ordinary: Essays on Growing Up with Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Parents

 

S/He

Pratt, a poet/essayist and partner of Leslie Feinberg, shares essays about her experiences relating to gender.

 

 

Health/Medical

 

Guidelines for Transgender Care

 

The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals

 

Bending gender, ending gender: theoretical foundations for social work practice with the transgender community.: An article from: Social Work

 

Transgenderism and Intersexuality in Childhood and Adolescence: Making Choices (Developmental Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry)

 

Gender Loving Care: A Guide to Counseling Gender-Variant Clients

Contains very basic information about transgender issues that therapists should be aware of when counseling trans clients.

 

Principles of Transgender Medicine and Surgery (Human Sexuality)

 

Transgender Care: Recommended Guidelines, Practical Information, and Personal Accounts

 

Kotula, Dean. The Phallus Palace: Female to Male Transsexuals.

Essays by FTMs, therapists, and doctors about transitioning, personal experience, surgery, and other miscellaneous topics.  This is a really useful book because it addresses so many aspects of being FTM.

 

Transgender Subjectives: A Clinician's Guide

 

Transgender Emergence: Therapeutic Guidelines for Working With Gender-Variant People and Their Families

**An interesting book speaking to a variety of common concerns often presented by trans individuals seeking mental health services. Lev emphasizes the therapist’s role in “co-authoring” a trans narrative and addresses several misconceptions about trans clients. One of the few books specifically focusing on working with trans individuals in psychotherapy. If I had to recommend just one book to someone in the mental health field, this would be it.**

 

Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Health

 

Social Services With Transgendered Youth

 

 

Legal Issues

 

Transgender homeless seek safety.(HOMELESSNESS): An article from: City Limits

 

Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Clients: A Lawyer's Guide

 

Transgender Rights

 

The Rights of Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals, and Transgender People (Rights of Lesbians & Gay Men: The Basic ACLU Guide to a Gay Person's Rights)

 

Transsexual Workers: An Employer's Guide

 

Transgender Workplace Diversity: Policy Tools, Training Issues and Communication Strategies for HR and Legal Professionals

 

 

Historical/Political

 

Sex Changes: Transgender Politics

A history of the trans movement in the U.S.

 

Transgender Warriors : Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman

Trans individuals throughout history

 

How Sex Changed: A History of Transsexuality in the United States

 

Transgender History (Seal Studies)

 

 

Trans Experiences/Narratives

 

Sexual Metamorphosis: An Anthology of Transsexual Memoirs

A survey of excerpts about transgender experiences spanning more than a century, ranging from case studies written in 1886, to the autobiography of Christine Jorgensen, to a selection from She’s Not There, by Maine’s own Jenny Boylan.

 

Transparent: Love, Family, and Living the T with Transgender Teenagers

 

Branded T

 

She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders

Boylan recounts personal experiences during her gender transition.

 

Body Alchemy: Transsexual Portraits

Book of photographer Loren Cameron’s portraits of FTM transsexuals with brief personal stories and information (and pictures) regarding various surgical options.

 

Transmen and FTMs: Identities, Bodies, Genders, and Sexualities

 

From the Inside Out: Radical Gender Transformation, FTM and Beyond

Poetry and essays by trans individuals on the FTM spectrum.

 

Becoming a Visible Man

Trans-activist Green’s autobiography.

 

Squirrel Cage

 

Christine Jorgensen: A Personal Autobiography

 

Tranifesto

 

Crossing Sexual Boundaries: Transgender Journeys, Uncharted Paths

 

GenderQueer: Voices From Beyond the Sexual Binary

Stories sharing a variety of individuals’ explorations of gender identity.

 

Finding the Real Me: True Tales of Sex and Gender Diversity

Numerous essays written by transgender individuals about their personal experiences.

 

Wrapped In Blue: A Journey of Discovery

 

Self-Made Men: Identity and Embodiment among Transsexual Men

 

From Female To Male

 

The Testosterone Files: My Hormonal and Social Transformation from Female to Male

The title describes it well enough!

 

TransActions

 

 

Spirituality/Religion

 

The Mirror Makes No Sense

 

Crossing Over: Liberating the Transgendered Christian

 

Trans-Gendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith (Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry)

 

Transgendering Faith: Identity, Sexuality, and Spirituality

 

 

Misc.

 

Trans Liberation: Beyond Pink or Blue

Transcripts of several of Feinberg’s speeches on a variety of topics.

 

 

Fiction

 

Trans-Sister Radio

Great novel about the transition of a MTF transwoman and how this process affects her relationships and life. (Written by the author of Midwifes)

 

Drag King Dreams

 

Stone Butch Blues: A Novel

Novel about one transgender FTM becoming an adult in the late 1960s.  This is probably the most famous book with an FTM subject.  Feinberg is a well-known trans activist and incredibly inspirational speaker.  All hir books are highly recommended.

 

Sacred Country

Story about an FTM transgender person’s childhood in 1950s England. (Note: I haven’t read this book for a very long time, but I remember it seemed very slow-paced and I found the narrator to be rather emotionless.)

 

Parrotfish





(c)Maine Transgender Network, Inc., 2009

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