My [F32] partner [M42] is trans, and I want to give him extra support during this trying time. I'd like some suggestions on books that can help me with that, whether it be practical advice or even a "hey, this is my trans experience" kind of book.
I would also like some books to help me break out of my heteronormative mindset. I recently realized that I've retained a lot of incorrect assumptions from my heteronormative upbringing, and I would like to get rid of them.
by Danica170
3 Comments
It’s not a whole book, but in Cecilia Ahern’s book ‘Roar’, there’s a short story called “The Woman Who Found the World in Her Oyster”. It’s about a trans person and is super beautiful.
“Whipping Girl” by Julia Serrano is part memoir, part gender theory (but very accessible!). It’s old, and some of the language is outdated, but still with a read.
Vivek Shraya’s I’m Afraid of Men is about her experience as a trans woman. (among other things).
I have not yet read Gender Failure by Ivan Coyote and Rae Spoon, but it fits what you’re looking for.
**General Nonfiction & History:**
Seeing Gender by Iris Gottlieb
He/She/They by Schuyler Bailar
The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
The Beginner’s Guide to Being a Trans Ally by Christy Whittlesey
Dear Cisgender People: A Guide to to Trans Allyship and Empathy by Kenny Ethan Jones
A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities by Mady G and JR Zuckerberg
Who’s Afraid of Gender by Judith Butler
What’s the T by Juno Dawson
How to They/Them by Stuart Getty
Gender Euphoria edited by Laura Kate Dale
Trans Bodies, Trans Selves edited by Laura Erickson-Schroth
The Savvy Ally by Jeanne Ginsburg
Fine: A Comic About Gender by Rhea Ewing
How to Understand Your Gender by Alex Iantaffi
Trans Love by Feiya Benson
Transgender History by Susan Stryker
Before We Were Trans by Kit Heyam
And the Category Is by Ricky Tucker
Miss Major Speaks by Toshiba Meronek and Miss Major
Female Husbands by Jen Manion
The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes by Zoe Playdon
Black on Both Sides by C. Riley Snorton
Ace by Angela Chen — about asexuality, but gives the most detailed explanation of attraction/romance/desire I’ve seen in any book
Sex Ed by Ruby Rare
Oh Joy Sex Toy by Erika Moen
**Memoirs:**
Something That May Shock and Discredit You by Daniel M. Lavery
Sorted by Jackson Bird
Becoming a Man by P. Carl
Never a Girl, Always a Boy by Jo Ivester
Becoming a Visible Man by Jamison Green
Trans Mission by Alex Bertie
Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H
Super Late Bloomer by Julia Kaye
I Heard Her Call My Name by Lucy Sante
Redefining Realness by Janet Mock
I Hope We Choose Love by Kai Cheng Thom
Pretty by KB Brookins
Nobody Needs to Know by Pidgeon Pagonis (intersex memoir)
Born Both by Hida Vitoria (intersex memoir)
**More recs from LGBTQ Reads, BookRiot & libraries:**
https://lgbtqreads.com/non-fiction/memoirs-personal-essays/
https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/556932217/2658678615
https://bookriot.com/transgender-and-non-binary-memoirs/
https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?booklist=554399
https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?booklist=370450
https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/transgender-nonfiction
https://discover.bklynlibrary.org/?booklist=transawarenessweek
https://www.lapl.org/books-emedia/lapl-reads/book-lists/transgender-nonfiction
https://evanstonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/2130897439/2253696669
https://seattle.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/138670692/326284071
**You might also find GLAAD’s resources useful:** https://glaad.org/transgender/allies
**Or this list from r/transmasc:** https://www.reddit.com/r/TransMasc/s/GspePt4hFq