Spotlight
17 Books & Resources Supporting Transgender Awareness
11.08.21
This week is followed by November 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance.
This day acts as a remembrance for the transgender individuals who have lost their lives due to anti-trans violence.
What does it mean to be a transgender or gender non-conforming individual?
A transgender individual is someone whose gender identity differs from the sex that they were assigned to at birth.
Someone who is gender non-conforming rejects society's standards for what specific genders should look or act like.
Their gender expression does not match either male or female, but may be a fluid combination of the two.
It is difficult to measure just how many Americans identify as transgender, or gender non-conforming, but according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA of Law, there are approximately 1.4 million in the United States alone.
This makes up about 0.6% of the total United States population. However, many experts agree that this number is most likely an underestimate of the true population size.
Transgender and gender non-conforming people have existed in society since ancient times.
Christine Jorgensen was the first American to undergo gender confirmation surgery. Her story brought visibility of transgender individuals to the wider American public.
Often misunderstood, it wasn't until the twentieth century that doctors and scientists were able to begin to understand these individuals.
Great strides were made during the 1920s and early 1930s with the German physician Magnus Hirschfeld.
He established a sexology research institute in Berlin. This institute was at the forefront of transgender research and medical studies until the Nazis dismantled it in 1933.
Lili Elbe, a Danish artist, was one of the first transgender individuals to undergo gender confirmation surgery in Berlin in 1930.
Most Americans were unaware of these developments.
It was not until Christine Jorgensen, the first American transgender individual to undergo gender confirmation surgery in 1952, that transgendered individuals entered American consciousness.
Visibility for transgendered individuals continued with many taking part in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.
The early 1970s say transgender activists Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, among others, speak out for their community.
Laverne Cox is a famous actress, most known for her role in Orange is the New Black. She is also a transgender rights activist who speaks on behalf of trans women of color.
Transgender rights have made great strides since the start of the new millennium.
Most recently, the Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Despite these recent strides, violence against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, especially among trans women of color, remains high.
So why am I sharing all of this information?
Because we as Americans need to understand that transgender and gender non-conforming people exist.
We need to understand that they are human, and they are looking to be loved and accepted for who they are.
We need to understand that they are at risk, and we need to protect and support them.
If you or someone you know is transgender, it can be difficult to find the necessary resources.
Our librarians are more than happy to help, from finding a book explaining what being transgender means to finding a local support group.
Here is just a small sampling of our many books and videos about transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
Everything you ever wanted to know about trans* (but were afraid to ask)
By Brynn Tannehill
This easy to digest companion book covers vocabulary and concepts of transgender individuals in addition to current legal and social issues facing the community.
I recommend this book for anyone who is first learning about transgender individuals since it is organized as a handy resource guide with easy to find chapters and terms.
Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ people who made history
By Sarah Prager
"Rainbow Revolutionaries brings to life the vibrant histories of fifty pioneering LGBTQ+ people from around the world. Through Sarah Prager's (Queer, There, and Everywhere) short, engaging bios, and Sarah Papworth's bold, dynamic art, readers can delve into the lives of Wen of Han, a Chinese emperor who loved his boyfriend as much as his people, Martine Rothblatt, a trans woman who's helping engineer the robots of tomorrow, and so many more!"
-From the publisher
Unbound: Transgender Men and the remaking of identity
By Arlene Stein
"A deep sociological portrait of a new generation of transgender men and of how they see themselves and the world, the dangers they continue to face, and the important ways in which they shape our culture."
-From the publisher
Both can be True
By Jules Machias
"Debut author Jules Machias explores identity, gender fluidity, and the power of friendship and acceptance in this dual-narrative Own Voices story about two kids who join forces to save a dog . . . but wind up saving each other."
-DPPL catalog
Beyond the Gender Binary
By Alok Vaid-Menon
"Gender is a story, not just a word. Alok Vaid-Menon dares the world to see gender not in black and white, but in full color. Taking from their own experiences as a gender non-conforming artist, they show us that gender is a malleable and creative form of expression. The only limit is your imagination."
-From the publisher
To My Trans Sisters
This compilation of letters from transgender women details their struggles and lessons on their journey, providing hope and advice to future generations of trans women.
My Rainbow
By Trinity and DeShanna Neal
Trinity is a young transgender girl who wants her hair long like her dolls. Her mother goes about creating a beautiful rainbow wig so that Trinity can feel who she is inside.
This book is based on the authors' real-life experiences, which enhances the story.
If I Was Your Girl
By Meredith Russo
Amanda has moved to a new high school, attempting to put her old life behind her. Doing her best to keep her head down, she nevertheless meets Grant, a sweet guy in her class. However, Amanda worries that Grant will reject her when he finds out the truth - that Amanda used to be known as Andrew.
This high school romance was the winner of the Stonewall Book Awards for young adult in 2017, among countless other awards. This book is full of heart, and is for anyone who enjoys romance and hard fought happy endings.
Stay Gold
By Tobly McSmith
"Told in two voices, Pony, who is concealing his transgender identity at his new Texas high school, and Georgia, a cisgender cheerleader counting the days until she graduates, develop a complicated relationship."
-Adapted from book jacket
Having Her Back
By Ann Gallagher
Trevor is used to leaving places since his father is in the navy. Through social media, he is able to keep in contact with his friends. However, after he left Okinawa, his best friend, Brad Gray, dropped all contact. Now, four years later, Brad contacts Trevor, only to tell him that the friend he knew now goes by the name Shannon.
Shannon is nervous about seeing her best friend and crush, Trevor, again after so long. Will Trevor be able to accept who Shannon is and her feelings towards him?
First Year Out
By Sabrina Symington
This graphic novel details the story of Lily's transition, from coming out to her parents, to navigating the dating world, to her surgery. The illustrations do a fantastic job of conveying her emotions at each stage.
I have been told by some transgender friends that this graphic novel is fairly accurate in depicting some of the trials of being a transgender individual.
This is How it Always is
By Laurie Frankel
Named as one of the best books of the year in 2018 from a number of different organizations, This is How it Always is details a family whose youngest son insists that they are a girl. As the family struggles to keep her transgender idenitity a secret from the hostile outside world, they learn what it means to be a family, and that by keeping her identity a secret, they may be hurting their daughter more than helping her.
This is a feel good read about family and overcoming adversity. It is also a great book for discussion groups!
Calvin
By Ronald Martin Ford Jr.
COMING SOON!
"A transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time"
-From the publisher
It Feels Good to Be Yourself
By Theresa Thorn
This colorful picture book explains what gender is in an easy to understand way.
The illustrations are phenomenonal, which highlights the diversity of the gender spectrum.
Red: A Crayon's Story
By Michael Hall
Blue is a crayon wrapped in a wrapper that clearly says "red". However, no matter how hard Blue tries, they cannot color red. Blue is discouraged until a friend provides a new perspective.
For fans of The Day the Crayons Quit, this sweet story about learning who you are is perfect for all ages.
The Danish Girl
Eddie Redmayne portrays Lili Elbe, a Danish artist who was also one of the first individuals to undergo sexual reassignment surgery (now known as gender confirmation surgery).
Although Eddie Redmayne is not a transgender individual, which is problematic, the rest of the movie does a fantastic job of bring Elbe's story into the public consciousness.
Binge Box: Conversations about LGBTQ+ Experiences
This binge box collection contains 6 non-fiction documentary movies:
Stonewall Uprising, The State of Marriage, Between the Shades, Lady Valor, Kiki, and The Pearl.