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: "Maeve Rising: Coming Out Trans in Corporate America" by Maeve DuVally.
"In this searingly honest LGBTQ+ memoir, Maeve DuVally tells the story of coming out transgender in one of the most high-profile financial institutions in America, Goldman Sachs.
When Maeve DuVally came out as a transgender woman while working as a corporate communications manager at one of the most renowned financial institutions in America, she knew she couldn’t do it quietly. She was, after all, the face of Goldman Sachs.
DuVally intimately documents her struggle to be herself in this environment, initially keeping her identity a secret with wardrobe changes in the lobby bathroom after work. Eventually she declares herself and, to her surprise, Goldman Sachs embraces the effort. Surgery follows.
When DuVally finally takes those first steps on heels through the corridors of this institution on the way to her first meeting with her team as a woman, the reader cheers. A New York Times story helped DuVally realize she could become a role model for other transgender people in corporations and branded Goldman Sachs as a model for corporations assisting their transitioning employees."
2023,
English,
Maeve DuVally,
USA,
"Hello, monde cruel: 272" is the French language edition of "Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks & Other Outlaws: 101 Alternatives to Teen Suicide" by Kate Bornstein.
"Celebrated transsexual trailblazer Kate Bornstein has, with more humor and spunk than any other, ushered us into a world of limitless possibility through a daring re-envisionment of the gender system as we know it.
Here, Bornstein bravely and wittily shares personal and unorthodox methods of survival in an often cruel world. A one-of-a-kind guide to staying alive outside the box, Hello, Cruel World is a much-needed unconventional approach to life for those who want to stay on the edge, but alive.
Hello, Cruel World features a catalog of 101 alternatives to suicide that range from the playful (moisturize!), to the irreverent (shatter some family values), to the highly controversial. Designed to encourage readers to give themselves permission to unleash their hearts' harmless desires, the book has only one directive: "Don't be mean." It is this guiding principle that brings its reader on a self-validating journey, which forges wholly new paths toward a resounding decision to choose life.
Tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy, Kate Bornstein is the radical role model, the affectionate best friend, and the guiding mentor all in one.
2018,
French,
Interview,
Kate Bornstein,
USA,
Full title: "Becoming Candii: My True Transgender Story" by TS Candii.
"Becoming Candii, is a book about my journey through a traumatic psychophysical transformation that made me who I am today: TS Candii, a proudly transgender woman.
Like any human being on this planet, surviving frustrations to pursue a dream is part of our path. However, unlike others, I was born with an assigned sex opposite to the essence of my true self. Although others considered me a boy, I always felt like a girl.
I faced dreadful discrimination and more horrifying things at a very young age. However, despite great suffering and courage, I learned to accept myself.
This is my true story. What I needed to be left behind. What I needed to embrace. I followed my bliss, and my bliss found."
2022,
English,
Interview,
Kiyziah Vaughn,
TS Candii,
USA,
Full title: "This Time for Me: A Memoir" by Alexandra Billings.
"Born in 1962, Alexandra Billings grew up in a decade in which being herself was illegal. When she started transitioning in 1980, the word “Transgender” was not commonly used. With no Trans role models and no path to follow, Alexandra did what her family, teachers, and even friends said was impossible: Alexandra forged ahead.
Spanning five decades, from profound lows to exhilarating highs, This Time for Me captures the events of a pioneering life. An award-winning actor and history-making LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS activist, Alexandra shares not only her own ever-evolving story but also the parallel ways in which queer identity has dramatically changed since the Stonewall riots of 1969. She weaves a true coming-of-age story of richly imaginative lies, of friends being swept away by a plague that decimated the community, of her determination to establish a career that would break boundaries, and of the recognition of her own power. A celebration of endless possibilities, Alexandra’s bracing memoir is a fight-to-the-death revolution against all expectations."
2022,
Alexandra Billings,
English,
Interview,
USA,
Original title: "Manifeste d'une femme trans... et autres textes" (Manifesto of a trans woman... and other texts) is the French language edition of "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity" by Julia Serano.
The book analyzes the sexism, misogyny and transphobia that lead to the discrimination of transsexual women and the devaluation of femininity in general. The precision of its analysis and the deciphering of the mechanisms of oppression of trans women make it a valuable work for the French-speaking public. Starting from the analysis of literature, films and TV shows, but also from her own experience, the author takes an innovative and relevant look at the condition of trans people... And does not hesitate, either , to question the functioning of non-trans people to support his point and update transphobia. In a context where reactionary and anti-feminist ideas are making a comeback, this book is not just a breath of fresh air. It brings new elements to French-speaking reflections on feminisms and helps us to completely rethink the construction of genres.
2014,
French,
Julia Serano,
USA,
"Hej grymma värld: 101 alternativ till självmord" is the Swedish language edition of "Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks & Other Outlaws: 101 Alternatives to Teen Suicide" by Kate Bornstein.
"Celebrated transsexual trailblazer Kate Bornstein has, with more humor and spunk than any other, ushered us into a world of limitless possibility through a daring re-envisionment of the gender system as we know it.
Here, Bornstein bravely and wittily shares personal and unorthodox methods of survival in an often cruel world. A one-of-a-kind guide to staying alive outside the box, Hello, Cruel World is a much-needed unconventional approach to life for those who want to stay on the edge, but alive.
Hello, Cruel World features a catalog of 101 alternatives to suicide that range from the playful (moisturize!), to the irreverent (shatter some family values), to the highly controversial. Designed to encourage readers to give themselves permission to unleash their hearts' harmless desires, the book has only one directive: "Don't be mean." It is this guiding principle that brings its reader on a self-validating journey, which forges wholly new paths toward a resounding decision to choose life.
Tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy, Kate Bornstein is the radical role model, the affectionate best friend, and the guiding mentor all in one.
2011,
Interview,
Kate Bornstein,
Swedish,
USA,
Full title: "Understanding Cross-dressing" by Virginia Prince.
According to IFGE, "This book has been published to serve two different purposes for two different groups of people. Not surprisingly the two groups are (1) those who are cross dressers, and (2) those who are not. The needs of these two groups are different; those who cross dress already know what it is like and the satisfactions they obtain from that behavior pattern, but in many cases they don't have much understanding of why they do it.
Moreover, great numbers of cross dressers think that they are the only ones in the world who indulge in such activities. Their needs therefore center around understanding themselves and becoming aware that there are vast numbers of other individuals who do exactly the same thing.
The non-cross dressers have a need to understand a behavior pattern exhibited by others. Wives, parents, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, judges, teachers and just friends of someone who has been found to be a cross dresser need to know more about this pattern. They need information in order to deal with their own feelings - if the cross dresser involved is someone in whom they have a personal interest, such as a child or a husband - or to know how to be of help to the individual if the relationship is impersonal."
1976,
English,
USA,
Virginia Prince,
Full title: "Secret Tear: Beginning Stage of Life" by Basilia Loren.
My promise to "Jesus" and understanding my message. I realize the Lord has allowed me to experience, endure and witness a great deal by protecting me all these years. My message is to enlighten society by using my past as an example of belief, faith, and wisdom.
The greatness of good is a gift from God. Evil is a powerful force of nature.
Society will use the phrase, "It's human nature" as an excuse for any wrongdoings towards anyone who has an identity crisis. But, is it human nature or just an evil act of malice behavior depending on the person?
My opinion is goodness in people's hearts is being de-sanitized by the strength of evil only if allowed. Be "real" to yourself by being yourself. Having faith will carry you through the challenges of life.
Remember, "An anger mind is the devil's workshop". I always say, "Great people who represent good may pay the ultimate price on earth. But, the Lord's reward is life everlasting spirit in heaven". - Silia Loren-
2020,
Basilia Loren,
English,
USA,
Full title: "Transgender History" by Susan Stryker.
"Covering American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to today, Transgender History takes a chronological approach to the subject of transgender history, with each chapter covering major movements, writings, and events.
Chapters cover the transsexual and transvestite communities in the years following World War II; trans radicalism and social change, which spanned from 1966 with the publication of The Transsexual Phenomenon, and lasted through the early 1970s; the mid-’70s to 1990—the era of identity politics and the changes witnessed in trans circles through these years; and the gender issues witnessed through the ’90s and ’00s."
2008,
English,
Susan Stryker,
USA,
Full title: "Tall Annie: A Life in Two Genders" by Anne Marie Graham.
"As a young male, Anne Graham became a Vietnam Veteran while serving in the U. S. Navy on a nuclear submarine. She opens with an incredible true story of her submarine’s rescue of a downed aircrew in the middle of a typhoon.
This is a story of how a transgender person came to be that way, and how they dealt with it while remaining a very productive and accepted member of society. Anne lays out her life from her formative years, through her time as a loving father and husband, and finally to the person she is now, a devoted and loving wife.
2023,
Anne Marie Graham,
English,
USA,
Full title: "Excluded: Making Feminist and Queer Movements More Inclusive" by Julia Serano.
"While many feminist and queer movements are designed to challenge sexism, they often simultaneously police gender and sexuality -- sometimes just as fiercely as the straight, male-centric mainstream does. Some feminists vocally condemn other feminists because of how they dress, for their sexual partners or practices, or because they are seen as different and therefore less valued.
Among LGBTQ activists, there is a long history of lesbians and gay men dismissing bisexuals, transgender people, and other gender and sexual minorities. In each case, exclusion is based on the premise that certain ways of being gendered or sexual are more legitimate, natural, or righteous than others.
2013,
English,
Julia Serano,
USA,
Full title: "Hello, Cruel World: 101 Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks & Other Outlaws: 101 Alternatives to Teen Suicide" by Kate Bornstein.
"Celebrated transsexual trailblazer Kate Bornstein has, with more humor and spunk than any other, ushered us into a world of limitless possibility through a daring re-envisionment of the gender system as we know it.
Here, Bornstein bravely and wittily shares personal and unorthodox methods of survival in an often cruel world. A one-of-a-kind guide to staying alive outside the box, Hello, Cruel World is a much-needed unconventional approach to life for those who want to stay on the edge, but alive.
Hello, Cruel World features a catalog of 101 alternatives to suicide that range from the playful (moisturize!), to the irreverent (shatter some family values), to the highly controversial. Designed to encourage readers to give themselves permission to unleash their hearts' harmless desires, the book has only one directive: "Don't be mean." It is this guiding principle that brings its reader on a self-validating journey, which forges wholly new paths toward a resounding decision to choose life.
Tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy, Kate Bornstein is the radical role model, the affectionate best friend, and the guiding mentor all in one."
2006,
English,
Interview,
Kate Bornstein,
USA,
Full title: "Trans History: A Historic Reference Collective of Transgender Events" by Tess de Carlo.
"What is transsexualism? Some estimates suggest that as many as 1 in 4,500 males may be transsexual and 1 in 8,000 females. Transsexualism is most commonly defined as the desire to live as the opposite sex accompanied by a wish to change the body to that preferred sex through surgery or hormone therapy.
The term was coined in the middle of the 20th Century, but there are many references to the phenomenon throughout history - from Ancient Greek mythology to Roman times. Anthropologists have found instances of transsexualism in most societies and cultures, including Native American tribes such as the Navajo who have words in their own language for transsexual men and women."
2018,
English,
Tess de Carlo,
USA,
Full title: "Who Is RuPaul?" by Nico Medina.
"RuPaul Andre Charles always knew he was meant to be a performer. Even as a young child, he loved to dress up and imitate the glamorous women he saw on television. When he turned fifteen, he began studying theater in a performing arts school in Atlanta and never looked back.
Ru developed his drag-queen personality and launched his career in the 1980s. He now hosts and judges the widely popular and long-running show RuPaul's Drag Race, which has raised the profile of the art of drag, and drag queens around the world."
According to Wikipedia, RuPaul Andre Charles (born in 1960) is an American drag queen, television personality, actor, musician, and model, known for producing, hosting, and judging the reality competition series RuPaul's Drag Race. RuPaul has received several awards, including Primetime Emmy Award, GLAAD Media Award, a Critics' Choice Television Award, Billboard Music Award, and a Tony Award, and has been dubbed the "Queen of Drag".
2021,
Drag queen,
English,
Nico Medina,
RuPaul,
USA,
"Historias de la infancia trans" is the Spanish language edition of "Histories of the Transgender Child" by Julian Gill-Peterson.
"Beginning with the early 1900s when children with “ambiguous” sex first sought medical attention, to the 1930s when transgender people began to seek out doctors involved in altering children’s sex, to the invention of the category gender, and finally the 1960s and ’70s when, as the field institutionalized, transgender children began to take hormones, change their names, and even access gender confirmation, Julian Gill-Peterson reconstructs the medicalization and racialization of children’s bodies. Throughout, they foreground the racial history of medicine that excludes black and trans of color children through the concept of gender’s plasticity, placing race at the center of their analysis and at the center of transgender studies.
2022,
Julian Gill-Peterson,
Spanish,
USA,
Original title: "Manifeste d'une femme trans" (Manifesto of a trans woman) is the French language edition of "Outspoken: A Decade of Transgender Activism and Trans Feminism" by Julia Serano.
In this collection of essays, Julia Serano, trans woman and activist, analyzes the different mechanisms of cissexual privilege, as well as the sexism, misogyny and transphobia that permeate representations of trans women in the media, the arts and academia.
Her analysis offers new perspectives for interpreting the issues experienced by trans women in continuity with the theories, disagreements and solidarities developed within the feminist movement, and provide keys to building feminism by, for and with all women, whatever their stories and backgrounds.
2020,
French,
Julia Serano,
USA,
Full title: "My New Gender Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving World Peace Through Gender Anarchy and Sex Positivity" ia the updated version of "My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You, or Something Else Entirely" (1997) by Kate Bornstein.
"Cultural theorists have written loads of smart but difficult-to-fathom texts on gender theory, but most fail to provide a hands-on, accessible guide for those trying to sort out their own sexual identities. In My Gender Workbook, transgender activist Kate Bornstein brings theory down to Earth and provides a practical approach to living with or without a gender. Bornstein starts from the premise that there are not just two genders performed in today's world, but countless genders lumped under the two-gender framework. Using a unique, deceptively simple and always entertaining workbook format, complete with quizzes, exercises, and puzzles, Bornstein gently but firmly guides readers toward discovering their own unique gender identity."
2013,
English,
Interview,
Kate Bornstein,
USA,
Full title: "Lettin' It All Hang Out" by RuPaul.
"In this book - part autobiography, part how-to manual - drag queen RuPaul comes out and reveals the real person behind the paint and powder, the sequins and the wigs. He talks of growing up in a house full of exceptional women; he describes a difficult but warm California childhood with the challenges of being "different"; he relates outrageous experiences in the drag scene and the New York underground; and he drops names that include Elizabeth Taylor, Elton John, Courtney Love, Karl Lagerfeld and Diana Ross. Sprinkled throughout the book are RuPaul's secrets to achieving fame, riches, success and glamour in the 1990s, as well as his worldly observations on being black, being gay and being a drag queen."
1995,
Drag queen,
English,
RuPaul,
USA,
Full title: "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity" by Julia Serano.
"A provocative manifesto, Whipping Girl tells the powerful story of Julia Serano, a transsexual woman whose supremely intelligent writing reflects her diverse background as a lesbian transgender activist and professional biologist. Serano shares her experiences and observations - both pre- and post-transition - to reveal the ways in which fear, suspicion, and dismissiveness toward femininity shape our societal attitudes toward trans women, as well as gender and sexuality as a whole."
"Serano's well-honed arguments stem from her ability to bridge the gap between the often-disparate biological and social perspectives on gender. She exposes how deep-rooted the cultural belief is that femininity is frivolous, weak, and passive, and how this “feminine” weakness exists only to attract and appease male desire. In addition to debunking popular misconceptions about transsexuality, Serano makes the case that today's feminists and transgender activist must work to embrace and empower femininity—in all of its wondrous forms."
2007,
English,
Julia Serano,
USA,
Full title: "I wasn't the woman I am until... Until I Met Black Men" by Hope Giselle.
"We continue to follow Hope on her journey through what it means to be a black woman whilst navigating what it meant to be a black man. Giselle takes us through what it was like to build relationships to black men who often saw her as a deficit rather than a contributor and lovers who sought to explore themselves through her own journey revealing in the self deprecative nature of her transness as it led her to lack the will to be corrective in relationships.
With this work Giselle seeks to answer the age old question asked to black queer people at some point in their lives. "what made you this way".
2021,
English,
Hope Giselle,
USA,
