A random collection of over 1994 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: "Wrong Body, Wrong Life: Living with Gender Identity Disorder in Ireland" by Sara-Jane Cromwell.
Sara-Jane Cromwell’s book Wrong Body, Wrong Life: Living with Gender Identity Disorder in Ireland stands as a landmark in Irish publishing. Released in 2010, it was the first book of its kind to appear in Ireland, and it broke new ground by placing gender dysphoria into the public conversation in a way that was clear, humane, and scientifically informed. Before its publication, discussions about gender identity in Ireland were often cloaked in silence or filtered through stereotypes. Cromwell’s work cut through that silence with honesty and courage, presenting both the science behind gender dysphoria and the lived experiences of those navigating it in a conservative society that rarely acknowledged its existence.
What makes Wrong Body, Wrong Life so significant is not only its subject matter but also the context in which it was written. Ireland in 2010 was still in the early stages of reckoning with LGBTQ+ rights. The Gender Recognition Act, which allowed trans people to have their gender legally recognized, would not be passed until 2015. In that earlier period, the language of trans identity was unfamiliar to many, and myths and misconceptions were rampant. Cromwell’s book sought to bridge that gap by explaining gender dysphoria in terms that combined medical research with deeply personal testimony. She gave a voice to people whose struggles were often misunderstood and hidden, and in doing so, she helped Irish society move a step closer toward compassion and understanding.
2010,
English,
Interview,
Ireland,
Sara-Jane Cromwell,
Full title: "Becoming Myself: The True Story of Thomas Who Became Sara" by Sara-Jane Cromwell.
Sara-Jane Cromwell’s Becoming Myself: The True Story of Thomas Who Became Sara is not simply a memoir of transition, but a story of survival, courage, and the relentless search for authenticity. Born Thomas into a family of twelve children in Ballyfermot, a working-class suburb of Dublin, her early life was marked by hardship and humiliation. She grew up in an environment where difference was not tolerated and where conformity was enforced with cruelty. At school she endured relentless bullying and was treated as though her left-handedness made her deficient, a stigma that left long-lasting scars. At home, she faced rejection and abuse from those who should have been her protectors. The combination of these experiences created a lonely and isolating childhood, in which she carried within her a secret so deeply buried that even she could not yet name it.
In her attempt to find belonging and peace, Thomas turned to religion, work, and eventually marriage, but none of these paths could quiet the gnawing sense of unease inside. Each attempt to fit into the expectations of others only deepened the despair. Eventually, after years of struggle, she reached rock bottom. The pain became so unbearable that she attempted to end her life, convinced that there was no way forward. Yet in this moment of darkness, something shifted. She chose to fight for her existence, even if she did not yet fully understand what that meant. With the support of friends and a process of painful self-reflection, she began to uncover the truth she had always sensed but never dared to confront. The diagnosis of gender identity disorder, as it was medically termed at the time, confirmed that her suffering was rooted not in personal weakness but in a physical and neurological condition. For the first time, she was able to see that the conflict between her inner self and outward identity was not a failure of character but an issue of recognition.
2008,
English,
Interview,
Sara-Jane Cromwell,
Full title: "No Ordinary Life" by Sara-Jane Cromwell.
Sara-Jane Cromwell’s No Ordinary Life is the kind of book that lingers long after the final page has been turned. It is not simply a memoir, but a journey through pain, resilience, and triumph, told with honesty and courage that refuses to bend to self-pity. Readers have often described it as a story that makes them cry, then laugh, then cry and laugh again. What makes the book remarkable is not only the weight of the hardships Sara-Jane endured but the imaginative and resourceful ways in which she found to survive and rebuild her life. Even in moments of deep despair, when many others might have given up entirely, she managed to rise again and start anew, never allowing herself to be defined by victimhood.
Sara-Jane has been called one of Ireland’s best kept secrets, and there is truth in that description. Despite her pioneering work in education, mentorship, and advocacy for over a decade and a half, many outside Ireland are unaware of her contributions. Through her efforts, countless people have developed a better understanding of gender identity and gender dysphoria, and her writing has given voice to experiences that had long been silenced or misunderstood. No Ordinary Life, her third book after Becoming Myself in 2008 and Wrong Body Wrong Life in 2010, stands as both a personal testimony and a cultural document of change.
2021,
English,
Interview,
Sara-Jane Cromwell,
