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.
Full title: "Not Your Average American Girl: A Memoir" by Christine Beatty.
Christine Beatty’s memoir, Not Your Average American Girl, is a raw and compelling account of her life, tracing her transformation from a married college student to a transgender woman navigating the harsh realities of addiction, survival, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, the book takes readers through the underbelly of society, hippies, strippers, soldiers, trans women, sex workers, and addicts. while also chronicling her climb toward stability and success.
Beatty’s story is one of resilience. She not only survived addiction and life on skid row but also made her mark as a pioneering rock musician, a fearless journalist, and a transgender activist. She candidly shares her struggles and triumphs, from overcoming personal demons to surviving the HIV/AIDS crisis that devastated the LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s. Her narrative is unflinching, laced with both dark humor and defiant optimism, proving that no matter how many times life knocks her down, she refuses to stay there.
2011,
Christine Beatty,
English,
Interview,
Full title: "Misery Loves Company ver. 2" by Christine Beatty.
Misery Loves Company ver.2 is a raw and unflinching exploration of transgender life on the margins, offering an updated, 100-page re-release of Christine Beatty's 1993 semi-autobiographical collection. With poignantly vivid and sometimes brutal short stories and poetry, Beatty invites readers on a perky yet suicidal plunge into her transsexual transition in mid-1980s San Francisco.
Set against the backdrop of the city's infamous Tenderloin district, the book provides a rare glimpse into a world few ever see. Beatty pulls back the curtain on the harsh realities of prostitution, spiraling addiction, and borderline insanity while weaving in moments of self-awareness and shocking discoveries. The journey is harrowing but ultimately transformative, as she begins to find redemption amidst the chaos.
This new edition is further enriched with evocative illustrations by trans surrealist artist Nola Van Della and striking photographs from the very streets where Beatty’s experiences unfolded. As revealed in her interview with Monika Kowalska, Beatty’s storytelling is deeply personal yet universally resonant, capturing the triumph of survival against all odds.
2010,
Christine Beatty,
English,
Interview,
