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: "Blumen für ein Chamäleon: Erlebnisse eines transsexuellen Models" (Flowers for a Chameleon: Experiences of a Transsexual Model)
'Viktor wants nothing more than to be a girl, he knew that even as a small child. But the way there is rocky. The father: a career soldier obsessed with masculinity. The mother: a weak character. The only reliable support is the resolute Aunt Christa. She takes her under her wing, gives her an understanding home, gets her an apprenticeship as a hairdresser, and supports her when she is accidentally spotted by a photographer.
Even before Viktor's surgical transformation into Valeska, the young woman started an international career as a model - and at a time when transsexual models were still taboo, when dealing with their agencies, customers, and colleagues, they still had to hide their transgender status at all costs.
2012,
German,
Valeska Réon,
Full title: "The Trans-Evangelist: The Life and Times of A Transgender Pentecostal Preacher".
"I want to go on living after my death, so that the message that God has given me to preach will continue to bless and help future generations of LGBT youth in their struggle for identity." -- Sister Paula Nielsen This is why Sister Paula, an open transgender Christian, spent seven years writing her autobiography "The Trans Evangelist", a document that spans seven decades.
Her story is a unique journey that the reader will find fascinating, entertaining, and spiritually uplifting. Paula says: "So many people are living dull and uneventful lives because they are being what society expects them to be, rather than being the person they really are." Paula has had the courage to step out and be herself, swimming against the current of popular opinion of her time. Her life is checkered with controversy. Yet, through it all, God's hand remained on her life."
2012,
English,
Sister Paula Nielsen,
USA,
Original title: "Sylvia: Biografie eines Transgenders - Ein Transgender erzählt" (Sylvia: Biography of a transgender - A transgender tells) by Ralf Klinger.
'The biography of my life: from the path of a transgender. My autobiography is mostly written in a diary form. It consists of my own thoughts: I struggled through the boundaries between transgender, crossdresser, and transsexuality. A path that put a lot of my life at risk.
But I just had to hold on to my feelings during this time in order to be able to help. In addition, I tell you about my experiences in the self-help group, its leadership and experiences, what lies are spread, and much more...'
2012,
German,
Ralf Klinger,
Sylvia Tiffany Klinger,
Full title: "It's Always Okay To Be Me: A journey to recovering lost hope" by Danielle Marie Bergan.
"It's Always Okay to be Me, A journey to recovering lost hope, is a story of the life trail taken by Daniel Bergan to becoming Danielle Bergan. Daniel, a seemingly normal boy on the outside to family and friends, suffers from Gender Identity Disorder (GID).
His brain tells him he is a girl yet he has the body of a boy.
This heartfelt book documents Daniel/Danielle’s life from growing up as a baby boomer in the fifties to becoming the complete woman she is today. Along the way an inner source of God through his Catholic upbringing allowed Daniel to believe one day that Danielle would go away by finding the one true love of his life. Yet in waiting for this, alcohol and drugs did for Daniel what God could not, they numbed the pain and kept his female side at bay.
2012,
Danielle Marie Bergan,
English,
Interview,
USA,
Full title: "God Doesn't Have a Penis, and Other Writings by a Transsexual Christian Woman" by Stephanie Mott.
"A collection of the writings of Stephanie Mott, a transsexual Christian woman from Topeka, Kansas. It includes several new, never before published works about Stephanie's views on God, faith, sin, and the Bible."
Stephanie Mott was a mental health clinician, LGBTQ advocate and prolific public speaker who traveled the country to share her experiences as a transgender Christian woman. She served as the vice chair of Equality Kansas, chaired the LGBTQ caucus of the Kansas Democrats and founded the Kansas Statewide Transgender Equality Project. She passed away on March 4, 2019 at the age of 61 after suffering a heart attack.
2012,
English,
Stephanie Mott,
USA,
"This story is in part about the metamorphosis of a man becoming a woman, but the transformation is more than a simple change of physical appearance; It's one of spiritual and emotional change as well. Along the way, I learned things about trust, friendship, love, and the infinite ways of being human. The transition taught me compassion for others in a way I never dreamed possible.
Sex and gender can be difficult to write about because an element of erotica, an insatiable desire that drives us as a species to reproduce, must always be addressed. For some, that lack of control can feel like a weakness that lends itself to insecurity. But I dare say, being a post-operative transsexual allows me a certain amount of freedom to discuss this subject without trepidation.
I wrote this story because I felt compelled to find peace within myself, and to that end, I've tried not to hold anything back. Transitioning from one sex to another, is no easy feat, and it’s my hope that by relating my story, I can help other transgendered people prepare for their own personal journey."
2012,
English,
Jessica Birch,
Full title: "The Twin Within: A Painful Memoir of a Young Boy Who Had a Period and the Ensuing Life of a Young Woman Struggling to Be Free".
"Stephanie's story is an unusual one, but one that needed to be told in order to raise the consciousness and compassion of society. She did not have a choice of whether she was a man or woman - that choice was made by a doctor - not even her parents.
And, when as a prepubescent boy she came home with a period, her life changed immeasurably. I was humbled by Stephanie sharing her story with me and I share it with you in order to help alleviate the pain that she has suffered. Living as a man and then as a woman, she has lost all her family, home, and possessions. She is gradually getting those back...with the proceeds of this book she is able to pay for her mounting medical bills. Bless any of you who purchase the book!"
2012,
English,
Lola Carlile,
Stephanie Anne Stockton,
An intimate collection of poetry drawing on experiences of coming to terms with transgender identity.
In 2014, I interviewed Andie and asked her about her inspiration behind the book and what it means to be a transgendered artist
"That’s interesting. Maybe like “becoming a woman” one doesn’t. I just am, but only took writing seriously when the transgender light dawned. Being made redundant three years ago in 2011 was a catalyst for everything – and gave me time to think.
I just desperately needed to write my way through the emotions of self-discovery and the impact of it, in a way that might subvert the ordinary conversation that simply hits opinions head-on before inner dialogue can take place."
"Art is observation, and we all see the world differently. But transgendered people have a perspective that others don’t. We notice things such as ambiguities and false certainties through gender, and as artists realize we can extend that to the wider world. That can make our art really interesting rather than purely descriptive, and be used to provoke a response that brings new realizations in others.
2012,
Andie Davidson,
English,
Original title: "In transitie" (In transition)
'Martin de Jong decides to travel to England, where he symbolically wants to bury his man's life. Upon his return, he begins a new life as a woman.
As Marieke, she can only follow her own path, by no longer making herself dependent on the judgment of others. She ends up on an emotional rollercoaster, looking for herself.
In a series of short dialogues, her thoughts, doubts, fears, and desires pass by.'
'Hanneke Dragtsma (1965) was born and raised in Heerenveen. She grew up as a boy in a family with three sisters. A seventies family, where her mother traditionally took care of the children, and her father with great dedication to protecting his family. She grew up as an insecure boy who could not connect herself well with the body in which she lived.
2012,
Dutch,
Hanneke Dragtsma,
Full title: "The Book About, It: Me and You Against The World"
"A life story about the life struggle for identity, as a child who realizes he/she is not the correct gender and knowing everyone around this child, does not want "it" to have the identity, "it" knows belongs to "it" the life long struggle to have "it", keep "it" lock "it" up safe, and to be empathetic, knowing that a soul has pain and feeling it from others, hurts more than your own, to be the one they chose, and not the one you were meant to be, and grow in a world you don't belong in.
Somewhere in birth you were made as special, I remember my birth, my short time in my womb, safe! A feeling of floating in a warm sea of twinkling stars, in the warm heart of the heavens, and the soft beautiful music surrounds every part of being here, the musical symphonies played on the gold and wooden handmade instruments of the heavens, music from the angels own voices surround and comfort, a tiny new little soul hanging in balance by a small thread of gold.
2012,
Cynthia Marie,
English,
Full title: "Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey"
"Chastity Bono is now Chaz. Her decision to "become" a man made headlines around the world, but she is not alone. Transgender men and women frequently appear on television talk shows and reality programs to share their stories. By doing so, they inevitably get the attention they seek, but not necessarily the kind of attention they want.
While some come forth in an effort to promote tolerance, acceptance and understanding in mainstream society, their decision to live as or in some cases have surgery to become - the opposite gender often sparks curiosity and more visceral reactions born out of ignorance. But this is the other side of the story.
Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey is a tragedy, a comedy and a love story. It is my story. In vivid detail, I recall how I met, fell in love with and married the man of my dreams, only to find that he self-identified as and wanted to become a woman. Read what happened after I learned the truth. "
2012,
Alexandra Bogdanovic,
English,
Original title: "Option B bitte: Einzelfahrschein" (Option B please: Single ticket)
'Option B please - single ticket" describes the author's journey towards gender reassignment. Once born in the wrong body, she reports: about the difficult game of hide-and-seek all these years, about the exciting and emotional way to start a new life, and about the reactions of her fellow human beings.'
I also found this interesting review by Maf: 'The autobiographical story of a woman who was "born in the body of a man" touched and impressed me deeply. The determination and courage with which she - in a small town! - goes her own way, making her a role model for all those who are not as their environment expects.
2012,
German,
Miriam Kassner,
Full title: "Country Boy to City Girl (Transsexual Transition Book 1)"
"The story of Racheal's life. Born a boy, Andrew, growing up as a typical kiwi kid through manhood always knowing there was something different but living up to society's expectations of a man. Leo meant a leader. Head boy at school, 1st XV Rugby team, a staunch front-row prop.
A pillar in communities, married and two children. then with the help of the internet, able to discover why there was a comfort in dressing in secret as a female. The trauma of coming out, Gender Reassignment Surgery in Thailand, and finally complete and happy at last.
Racheal was a city girl.
Now in the works of her surgeon, 'Her body matched her soul.'"
2012,
English,
New Zealand,
Racheal McGonigal,
Full title: "Jack Completing Jill: Living and Learning"
"This is a story of my life, including past abuse, number 8 of 11 kids, a strong catholic family, and how I grew up in my own thoughts, and mind process. Learning and growing up on my own in the world. Guided, but not clearly educated.
With gender identity issues in the mix. Talks about self-battles with faith and the Catholic religion, and fears. How I overcame all to live to my current age of 23."
Full title: "The New Transsexuals: The Next Step In Human Evolution"
"To some it's Science Fiction; to others, salvation. Some snicker and sneer; some say: I'd do that. A few transform themselves with hormones and new attitudes. A very few step forward for gender-reassignment surgery. Morphologically speaking, men become women and women become men. Psychologically speaking, they become who they already are. Technology, desire, courage, despair and politics come together under the surgeon's knife, or at the tip of a syringe, or in fashion's secret closet.
In The New Transsexuals: The Next Step In Human Evolution, George Petros, author of Art That Kills, examines the social dynamics of sex changing and rearranging, and presents in interview form a snapshot of the Transsexual Revolution. Fred H. Berger, once publisher of Propaganda Magazine, provides the introduction. Interviewers Petros, Berger, Manuel Vasquez, Rio Warner, John Aes-Nihi, and Stanton LaVey probe Transsexuals and Transgender-identified individuals (as well as Annie Sprinkle, a gal with a hands-on fetish for Trans guys) about who they are, what they do and what they want.
2012,
Amanda Lepore,
Bailey Jay,
English,
George Petros,
Ginger Coyote,
Jayne County,
Marci Bowers,
Mina Caputo,
Original title: "Το Ταξίδι της Ζωής μου" (The Journey of My Life) by Εύα Κουμαριανού (Eva Koumarianou).
'My name is Eva, Eva Koumarianou. They don't call me that exactly, but that's how I wanted it. And that's how all my friends and people around me know me.
It looks like you've only just started reading the first few pages of this book and I honestly couldn't promise you much. You know life has made me concentrate my wants in my own field of demands and give only what I can and you should respect that.
I am trans, transsexual, transvestite, roughly with these adjectives you can define me and, you hold in your hands my autobiography, that is, what I will let you see through the keyhole.
I know you would probably be attracted to the pink color. I'll give you that too, but in moderation you know. Because how can we do it, I'm trans, not a cardinal.
2012,
Eva Koumarianou,
Greek,
Full title: ""Girl Nutz": The Epitome of Femininity: A Child's Transgender Journey From A Parent's Perspective"
"This book was originally written to share with other parents of transgender children our journey as a family while we experienced my child change from boy to girl at such a young age. It ideally was written to let you know you are not alone in this experience and hopefully you will find some joy along the way as well.
Many sections will carry you on the journey with us from the beginning through to the present day and everything in between. It shares stories, inner thoughts, struggles, triumphs, perspectives and family dynamics involving the transformation.
A parent's perspective is far different from the transgender child or any other member of the family so I hope it helps you understand the inside of a family who has traveled down this path together and come out the other end smiling even bigger than before. Your heart will fill with the emotional aspect of a parent's love and support that is so clearly needed when raising a transgender child.
2012,
Anne Smith,
English,
Original title: "Your True Self: An Informative Guide For Transitioning Transgender Women".
"From Hormones To High Heels, from Gender Re-Assignment Surgery to Getting Your Name Legally Changed this Transgender Guide for Transitioning Transgender Women has it all. The book was written by Transgender Actress, Author, Singer and LGBT Rights Activist Meghan Chavalier.
This guide was written to help Transitioning Transgender Women.
There are not enough books written to help Trangender Women with questions about everything from “What make-up and clothing should I wear?” to “How do I get my gender changed on my driver’s license?” This guide has it all written from the perspective of a Transgender Woman who has lived as a female for 23 years.
There are no shortcuts. Everything you need to know is right here in this book. Meghan goes into great detail about make-up, clothing, hormone therapy and even gives you a comprehensive list of all of the well-known Gender Re-Assignment Surgeons throughout the world.
What could be better than learning how to transition the “right way” from someone who has actually done it herself?"
2012,
English,
Meghan Chavalier,
Original title: "Michelle Blanc: Un genre à part" (Michelle Blanc: A genre apart)
T'When Marie Vigneault, a woman from Havre-Saint-Pierre with a bright future, and Marcel Leblanc, a child from Duplessis who has been given this name among many others, met, nothing predestined them to marry and have children.
However, they had a few, including Michel, their second, the first baby of the year 1961: a beautiful baby with a boy's body but a girl's personality, which Michel will discover soon enough.
Throughout this biography skilfully written by Jacques Lanctôt, we discover the universe of Michel Leblanc, his family, his loves, or rather his love – B. or Bibitte Électrique –, his professional life, his relationships, etc. Michel Leblanc unveils Michelle Blanc little by little, it is both a disaster and a liberation.'
2012,
Canada,
French,
Jacques Lanctot,
Michelle Blanc,
"Seasonal Velocities invites the reader on a fragile and furious journey along the highways and skyways of discovery, retribution, and resolve. Through her poetry, essays, stories, and performances, award-winning writer Ryka Aoki has challenged, informed, and shared with queer audiences across the United States. Seasonal Velocities was honored as a 2013 Lambda Award Finalist."
In 2017, I interviewed Ryka and asked her whether she often goes back to Seasonal Velocities and what she would describe differently: "Not at all. :) At a knee-jerk level, if I were to revisit the book, I would definitely want to change things—but that is what the next blank sheet of paper is for. I think part of the journey of self-love is loving and trusting who you were yesterday.
2012,
English,
Ryka Aoki,
USA,
