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: "La fille d’elle-même" (The Daughter of Herself) by Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay. The book was published in 2021 and republished in 2023.
"Winner 2022, Prix des Libraires Rights for TV adaptation purchased by Zone 3 A runaway bestseller in Québec, where it has captured the hearts of readers and pushed trans-identity into the mainstream conversation, Dandelion Daughter is an intimate, courageous portrait of what it’s like to grow up having been assigned the wrong sex at birth.
Set against the windswept countryside of the remote Charlevoix region some five hours north of Montreal, Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay’s autobiographical novel immortalizes her early years as an alienated boy trapped in a world of small-town values and her parents’ dissolving marriage, through complex adolescent years of self-discovery and first loves, to the harrowing episodes that fuel the growing realization that she must transition and give birth to her new self if she is to continue living at all. One of the first novels of its kind to appear in Québec, this inspiring story has already connected with a wide readership, and has been adopted by many schools to help expand worldviews and curriculums."
2021,
2023,
Canada,
French,
Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay,
Gabrielle Tremblay,
"Dandelion Daughter: A Novel" is the English language version of "La fille d’elle-même" (The Daughter of Herself) by Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay.
"Winner 2022, Prix des Libraires Rights for TV adaptation purchased by Zone 3 A runaway bestseller in Québec, where it has captured the hearts of readers and pushed trans-identity into the mainstream conversation, Dandelion Daughter is an intimate, courageous portrait of what it’s like to grow up having been assigned the wrong sex at birth.
Set against the windswept countryside of the remote Charlevoix region some five hours north of Montreal, Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay’s autobiographical novel immortalizes her early years as an alienated boy trapped in a world of small-town values and her parents’ dissolving marriage, through complex adolescent years of self-discovery and first loves, to the harrowing episodes that fuel the growing realization that she must transition and give birth to her new self if she is to continue living at all. One of the first novels of its kind to appear in Québec, this inspiring story has already connected with a wide readership, and has been adopted by many schools to help expand worldviews and curriculums."
2023,
Canada,
English,
Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay,
Gabrielle Tremblay,
Full title: "Holy Wild" by Gwen Benaway.
"In her third collection of poetry, Holy Wild, Gwen Benaway explores the complexities of being an Indigenous trans woman in expansive lyric poems. She holds up the Indigenous trans body as a site of struggle, liberation, and beauty. A confessional poet, Benaway narrates her sexual and romantic intimacies with partners as well as her work to navigate the daily burden of transphobia and violence.
She examines the intersections of Indigenous and trans experience through autobiographical poems and continues to speak to the legacy of abuse, violence, and colonial erasure that defines Canada. Her sparse lines, interwoven with English and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe), illustrate the wonder and power of Indigenous trans womanhood in motion. Holy Wild is not an easy book, as Benaway refuses to give any simple answers, but it is a profoundly vibrant and beautiful work filled with a transcendent grace."
Gwen Benaway is a Canadian poet, writer, and advocate for the rights of transgender and Indigenous people. She was born in Wingham, Ontario, Canada, and is of Anishinaabe and Métis descent. Benaway is known for her work that explores themes of identity, love, and trauma, often drawing from her personal experiences as a trans woman and Indigenous person. She has published several collections of poetry, including "Ceremonies for the Dead," which won the 2016 Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers.
Her poetry often reflects on the intersections of her identity and the challenges faced by Indigenous and transgender communities. In addition to her work as a writer, Gwen Benaway is an advocate for the rights of Indigenous and LGBTQ+ individuals. She has been involved in community organizing and activism, addressing issues such as violence against Indigenous women and the rights of trans people.
2018,
Canada,
English,
Gwen Benaway,
Full title: "Passage" by Gwen Benaway.
"In her second collection of poetry, Passage, Gwen Benaway examines what it means to experience violence and speaks to the burden of survival. Traveling to Northern Ontario and across the Great Lakes, Passage is a poetic voyage through divorce, family violence, legacy of colonization, and the affirmation of a new sexuality and gender. Previously published as a man, Passage is the poet's first collection written as a transwoman. Striking and raw in sparse lines, the collection showcases a vital Two Spirited identity that transects borders of race, gender, and experience.
In Passage, the poet seeks to reconcile herself to the land, the history of her ancestors, and her separation from her partner and family by invoking the beauty and power of her ancestral waterways. Building on the legacy of other ground-breaking Indigenous poets like Gregory Scofield and Queer poets like Tim Dlugos, Benaway's work is deeply personal and devastating in sharp, clear lines. Passage is a book burning with a beautiful intensity and reveals Benaway as one of the most powerful emerging poets writing in Indigenous poetics today."
2016,
Canada,
English,
Gwen Benaway,
"Valid: Dystopian Autofiction" is the English language edition of "Valide" by Chris Bergeron.
"Although it is described as an autobiographical science fiction novel, the context it offers is not that far removed from our current world. We project ourselves 30 years into the future, in a world governed by the artificial intelligence Total David. Human beings are then confined and are only allowed a few hours of going out a day. "This feeling of living in a bubble that is in the novel, and that came before the pandemic, is for many trans women what they experience on a daily basis. Valide is a sci-fi and sci-fi novel, but it's also an allegory of today. What I tried to describe was this isolation, this feeling that maybe society isn't built for me.""
"This novel is also an opportunity to show a very dark future for the LGBT community and especially trans people. Indeed, in the story, in order to adapt to this new regime dominated by artificial intelligence, the heroine Christelle is forced to become Christian again. And to erase all traces of his past. This echoes a reality experienced on a daily basis by transgender people, which is the fear of not being accepted by our society. That of losing their job if they decide to transition. That of no longer existing within society."
2023,
Canada,
Chris Bergeron,
English,
Full title: "Ceremonies for the Dead" by Gwen Benaway.
"Ceremonies for the Dead is an award-winning collection of poems that examine the haunting themes of inter-generational trauma, cyclical abuse, and inherited grief. Four generations of the dead take turns narrating these themes, navigating from the Great Lakes through the Appalachian Mountains, and examining the fur trade, an exile from Minnesota, the experiences of West Virginia coal miners, and the legacy of mission schools. Black humour and satire fill the collection, illuminating a fierce determination to survive and resist colonization and the endurance of culture and identity under extreme duress."
2013,
Canada,
English,
Gwen Benaway,
Original title: "Valide" (Valid) by Chris Bergeron.
"Although it is described as an autobiographical science fiction novel, the context it offers is not that far removed from our current world. We project ourselves 30 years into the future, in a world governed by the artificial intelligence Total David. Human beings are then confined and are only allowed a few hours of going out a day. "This feeling of living in a bubble that is in the novel, and that came before the pandemic, is for many trans women what they experience on a daily basis. Valide is a sci-fi and sci-fi novel, but it's also an allegory of today. What I tried to describe was this isolation, this feeling that maybe society isn't built for me.""
"This novel is also an opportunity to show a very dark future for the LGBT community and especially trans people. Indeed, in the story, in order to adapt to this new regime dominated by artificial intelligence, the heroine Christelle is forced to become Christian again. And to erase all traces of his past. This echoes a reality experienced on a daily basis by transgender people, which is the fear of not being accepted by our society. That of losing their job if they decide to transition. That of no longer existing within society."
2021,
Canada,
Chris Bergeron,
French,
Original title: "Les secrets de l'origami" (The Secrets of Origami) by Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay.
"Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay's second book hardly addresses trans identity, but unabashedly explores the dysfunctional relationships and disillusionment of a woman who claims to be in love with everyone. "I'm a passionate person who doesn't do things by halves, like the movie I starred in. I often get ideas about a relationship that's just been born, like a pre-origami blank page, before realizing it's not working.""
"Heartbroken by disappointment, she uses words to examine her scars, forced to admit that many of her injuries were caused by people's inability to endure intimacy for more than one night. "I often wonder if it's my fault, if it's because I'm trans or too intense, not enough this or that. I quickly become intimate with people. I allow myself to be vulnerable with someone I barely know. This is how I can live my truth. But sometimes, it scares some people...""
2018,
Canada,
French,
Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay,
Gabrielle Tremblay,
Full title: "The Trans Biography Project: Stories from the Lives of Eleven Trans People in BC" by Kathleen Cross.
"The purpose of this collection is to educate the broader community about the experiences, needs and situations of trans people. It features a brief biography of each person, using their words as much as possible to tell their stories, share their experiences, and articulate the issues that are relevant to them as a trans, transgendered or transsexual person (a note about language usage is below). These stories are an attempt to put a “human face” on the issues of trans people and to break down stereotypes. It is our hope that this collection may, in some small way, assist in making the voices of trans people better heard and, perhaps, more understood."
2001,
Aiyyana Maracle,
Canada,
Dannis Bragas,
English,
Kathleen Cross,
Kimberly Nixon,
Full title: "Thanks for Coming Out" by Cindy Rivers.
"Cindy Rivers, a proud, Canadian comedian, and transgender woman that came out at age 30. From the beginning of growing up in Newfoundland to coming out in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and all of her success and fail along the way."
In her 2021 interview for Global News, she said: "“After some time in the hospital and dealing with some things, I started to come out”.
The first person she came out to was her then-wife.
“That was interesting. We didn’t really tell anybody else for a little while… a couple months.
“We couldn’t really figure it out so we split up and I slowly started to tell everybody else. I came out at work and to my parents.”"
2022,
Canada,
Cindy Rivers,
English,
Full title: "Rowan Jette Knox: The Transition" by Claire Temp.
"This book is a captivating and inspiring account of Amanda Jetté Knox, a Canadian writer, author, and human rights advocate who shares her family’s story of thriving in a transgender family. In this book, you will learn how Amanda Jetté Knox discovered that their spouse of over 20 years was transgender and wanted to live as a woman, and how they reacted with love and acceptance.
You will also learn how their eldest child came out as non-binary and how they supported her with respect and understanding. You will witness the challenges and opportunities that Amanda Jetté Knox and their family faced as they came out to their other children, their relatives, their friends, and the world.
But this biography is not only about Amanda Jetté Knox’s family; it is also about Amanda Jetté Knox’s own journey of self-discovery, healing, growth, and love.
2023,
Canada,
Claire Temp,
English,
Full title: "Hi There! I'm the New Girl In Town" by Miss Jayee Chapman.
"Forty-Four Years. That's how long it took Jayee to start questioning if she was really who she wanted to be, who she was meant to be.
Coming to this realization wasn't easy for Jayee, and neither was her transition from male to female. She was overwhelmed with information, unsure about opening up to anyone, and frightened, though excited, about what the future would hold. But the real trouble began when she started hormone replacement therapy.
She could no longer hide her true self from her loved ones, which led to lost relationships. And even when she came out to those she loved, she still had to hide her true identity from her abusive, judgmental roommate.
Despite these challenges, Jayee grew into a strong, independent woman with a wonderful support system, love for herself, and a dream of sharing her story with the friends, family, and bullies of people like her."
2023,
Canada,
English,
Miss Jayee Chapman,
Full title: "Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls" by Kai Cheng Thom.
"Kai Cheng Thom grew up a Chinese Canadian transgender girl in a hostile world. As an activist, psychotherapist, conflict mediator, and spiritual healer, she’s always pursued the same deeply personal mission: to embrace the revolutionary belief that every human being, no matter how hateful or horrible, is intrinsically sacred.
But then Kai Cheng found herself in a crisis of faith, overwhelmed by the viciousness with which people treated one another, and barely clinging to the values and ideals she’d built her life around: justice, hope, love, and healing. Rather than succumb to despair and cynicism, she gathered all her rage and grief and took one last leap of faith: she wrote. Whether prayers or spells or poems—and whether there’s a difference—she wrote to affirm the outcasts and runaways she calls her kin. She wrote to flawed but nonetheless lovable men, to people with good intentions who harm their own, to racists and transphobes seemingly beyond saving. What emerged was a blueprint for falling back in love with being human."
2023,
Canada,
English,
Kai Cheng Thom,
Full title: "The Red Light Runner" by Bobbi Lancaster.
"Dr. Bob Lancaster was a family physician with a buried secret: he felt more natural and comfortable as a woman. As a child he concealed his feelings for fear of being bullied; during adulthood, he was afraid of losing his reputation and practice. When he did confess to a priest at fourteen, he was told his desires were sinful. Even as he became a husband and father, he engaged in cross-dressing and dreamed of being female.
After years of yearning and despair, Dr. Bob gave up and planned suicide. He recovered after his attempt failed, but his depression continued. When he suffered a stroke and confronted his own mortality for the first time, he finally underwent gender confirmation surgery shortly before his sixtieth birthday."
2018,
Bobbi Lancaster,
Canada,
English,
Full title: "Gigi Gorgeous: Biography Of A Sensational YouTuber and Her Life As an LGBTQ Advocate" by Muse Publishing.
"In this gripping biography, you'll follow Gigi Gorgeous on her journey from a small-town Canadian boy to a glamorous and influential social media icon.
You'll witness the challenges she faced as she navigated the complexities of gender identity, and the inspiring resilience she showed in overcoming them."
"From her early days experimenting with makeup and fashion, to her groundbreaking decision to undergo gender confirmation surgery, Gigi's story is one of courage, determination, and self-discovery.
But Gigi's impact extends far beyond her personal journey. As a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, she has used her platform to raise awareness and promote acceptance for all people, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation."
2023,
Canada,
English,
Gigi Gorgeous,
Muse Publishing,
Full title: "Then This Happened: After Transparently" by Lisa Salazar.
"When I published "Transparently: Behind the Scenes of a Good Life" in 2011, the memoir recounted the first 59 years and six months of my life, leading up to the first month after undergoing gender confirmation surgery (GCS). I wrote the book in the three months preceding the surgery, a time when I was filled with hopeful anticipation.
The title I picked for the book reflected how I saw my life then; I felt disarmingly open and candid about my life's journey, which had been good to me. The subtitle also held much truth — I had lived a good life and acknowledged my many privileges. Nothing I wrote in the preface was fabricated or spun. These were my honest feelings.
2023,
Canada,
English,
Lisa Salazar,
Full title: "Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words" edited by Dr. Lindsay Herriot M ed PhD and Kate Fry.
"Growing Up Trans shares stories, essays, art and poetry created by trans youth aged 11 to 18. In their own words, the works illustrate the trans experience through childhood, family and daily life, school, their bodies and mental health. Together the collection is a story of the challenges, big and small, of being a young trans person. At the same time, it’s a toolkit for all young people, transgender or not, about what understanding, acceptance and support for the trans community looks like.
In addition to the contributed works, there are questions and tips from experts in the field of transgender studies to challenge the reader on how to be a trans ally.
Growing Up Trans came out of a series of workshops held in Victoria, British Columbia, to bring together trans youth from across the country with mentors in the community."
2021,
Canada,
Kate Fry,
Lindsay Herriot,
Full title: "Stranger in the Mirror: The Search For Me" by Erin LeBlanc.
"This memoir provides amplified inspiration of resilience for anyone moving through adversity. Erin LeBlanc describes the highs and lows of her journey of self-discovery, putting the pieces of the puzzle that is her life together to form her authentic self. She shares knowledge, tools, and practices as an emotional survival guide based on her experience for those living with Gender Dysphoria, their family and friends, supporters and allies, and the transgender and LGBTQ+ community. As a human advocate, Erin shows the world how to take the stigma out of transitioning while showing up committing to living life as her authentic self."
2020,
Canada,
English,
Erin LeBlanc,
Original title: "Le ventre des volcans" (The Belly of Volcanoes) by Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay.
The Belly of Volcanoes is the result of more than five years of writing and rewriting. Understanding love, loving beyond love, these are mysteries that this book tries to elucidate.
This collection is an intimate portrait of universal struggles: to free oneself from daily anxieties, to deal with one's obsessions, to survive the falls to better recover in the righteousness of the waking day, to live one's life as honestly as possible. In this book, the author tackles heavy themes with a disconcerting sensitivity and a palpable, neurotic vulnerability.
2015,
Canada,
French,
Gabrielle Boulianne-Tremblay,
Gabrielle Tremblay,
Full title: "Sex Change, Social Change: Reflections on Identity, Institutions, and Imperialism" (2005) by Viviane Namaste. The second edition of the book was published in 2011.
"The book provides readers with an introduction to contemporary transsexual politics in Canadian and Quebecois contexts. Through different case studies relating to the law, human rights, health care, and prostitution, Dr. Namaste exposes readers to the complexity of the issues involved in thinking about transsexual politics in relation to feminism.
Written in accessible language, and using a variety of forms, including interviews, essays, political speeches, the book will appeal to academics, activists in the community, and the general reader."
2005,
Canada,
English,
Viviane Namaste,
