A random collection of over 1910 books and audiobooks authored by or about my transgender, intersex sisters, and gender-nonconforming persons all over the world. I read some of them, and I was inspired by some of them. I met some of the authors and heroines, some of them are my best friends, and I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing some of them. If you know of any transgender biography that I have not covered yet, please let me know.
Original title: "Certos Movimentos de um Coração" (Certain Movements of a Heart) by Ruddy Pinho.
"Certain Movements of the Heart is another book by the poet Ruddy, who lays bare her soul in a cadence of feelings, without mask, hypocrisy and/or camouflage, seeking what is most valuable - authenticity.
Ruddy combines Love and Art "as inseparable brothers and lovers in unusual incest invading her BEING".
She opens her heart and sings: "I threw into the sea / the key to my heart. /Now it's going to be cool./ I left the door open/for anyone who wants to come in." And she goes further, in her cry of criticality and commitment to the true FEELING and LIVING in the poem Amor Louco - "Call the ambulance/ the mayor/ the police/ Call the TV/ the cinema/ the radio./ I want everyone to know that I have a love/ larger than life/ on the fringes of screams and spits/ beyond clandestine whispers/ above howls and rumors/ an incandescent love of infinity."
1988,
Brazil,
Portuguese,
Ruddy Pinho,
Full title: "Transvestites and Transsexuals: Toward a Theory of Cross-Gender Behavior" by Richard F. Docter.
"In 'Transvestites and Transsexuals: Toward a Theory of Cross-Gender Behavior' [1988], author and psychologist Richard F. Docter does a review of the literature on transvestism and transsexualism, explores the putative developmental process which sometimes leads a 'transvestite' to become a 'transsexual', shows his research results at length, and finally proposes a theory for the development of cross-gender identity in these individuals.
The research findings presented in this book were the result of surveying crossdressers who were part of crossdressing social organizations. Since this was published in a time where crossdressing in males was met with severe social sanctions, the research doesn't apply as accurately to the current cultural context. Regardless, this is still worth reading for someone who has already read Anne Lawrence's book Men Trapped in Men's Bodies: Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism and Magnus Hirschfeld's book Transvestites: The Erotic Drive to Cross-Dress and wants to learn more.
1988,
English,
Richard F. Docter,
Full title: "Confusion" by Abby M. Greene.
The book is the biography of Abby M. Greene, an American transgender woman that was one of the co-founders of TV-TS CONFIDENTIAL, an American transgender magazine, illustrated with black and white photos and artwork. Abby M. Greene was a columnist and wrote different types of articles there. I came across this book in The University of Michigan Library but I could not find any additional information or its cover.
The photo of Abby M. Greene comes from TV-TS CONFIDENTIAL. Vol. 02, No. 15. available at the alta-glamour website. If you have any information about the book, please let me know.
1988,
Abby M. Greene,
English,
USA,
Full title: "Stephanie: A Girl in a Million" by Stephanie Anne Lloyd.
"This is Stephanie’s autobiography. It tells the story of Stephanie Anne Lloyd, the founder of Transformation and one of the first openly transgender women to speak out about the struggles and achievements of someone who is openly transgender.
At the age of 68, I have lived just over 50% of my life as a woman and the other half as a man. If women knew how much easier it is for men I am sure there would be a revolution. Hopefully this very personal and honest account will give a unique perspective of the real differences between the sexes and also make the path of those who follow in my footsteps somewhat easier in these more enlightened times.
1988,
English,
Stephanie Anne Booth,
Stephanie Anne Lloyd,
UK,
Full title: "Carmen: My Life - As Told to Paul Martin"
Carmen Rupe's life story, from schoolboy to successful businesswoman. According to Wikipedia, Carmen Rupe (1936-2011), was a New Zealand drag performer, brothel keeper, and transgender activist, known for being New Zealand's first drag queen to reach celebrity status.
Taking the name of the gypsy flamenco dancer Carmen Amaya, Rupe became the first Australian Maori to perform as a drag queen. She was arrested many times in New Zealand for wearing female clothes but without being prosecuted because being a drag queen was not illegal in that country.
In 1977, she ran for mayor of Wellington, with the support of local businessman Sir Bob Jones, with the campaign for the legalization of gay marriage and brothels, but she lost to Michael Fowler. She died in 2011 at the age of 75.
1988,
Carmen Rupe,
English,
New Zealand,
