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BOOK LIST:

LGBTQIA: Transgender - Non-Fiction

Updated: June 8, 2023

Non-fiction books by or about transgender people, themes, issues. Some of the books on this list provide historical background, written by people who lived in a different era. Currently how transgender people decide to self-identify in pronoun usage is personal. The following are choices that people make: they/theirs; she/hers/her; he/his/him; they/theirs. 


Book cover for At the broken places : a mother and trans son pick up the pieces
At the broken places : a mother and trans son pick up the pieces
Collins, Mary, 1961-
Call Number: 306.768 C712

In this joint memoir, Mary Collins and Donald Collins, mother and son respectively, recount the pain and resolution over his decision to transition from female to male. 


Book cover for Becoming a man : the story of a transition
Becoming a man : the story of a transition
P. Carl, 1966-
Call Number: 306.7681092 C278

A very honest memoir of the author's long struggle in reconciling who he was and needed to become. Carl provides heartfelt details about the psychological, physical and socail adjustments he experienced.


Book cover for Becoming a woman : a biography of Christine Jorgensen
Becoming a woman : a biography of Christine Jorgensen
Docter, Richard F.
Call Number: 306.7681 J82Do

In the 1950s Christine Jorgensen was the first person to become publicly known for having sex reassignment surgery, and it was sensational news.


Book cover for Becoming Nicole : the transformation of an American family
Becoming Nicole : the transformation of an American family
Nutt, Amy Ellis.
Call Number: 306.768 N976

An ordinary American family adopts identical twin boys, but there were obvious differences during the twins early childhood.  A set of circumstances that might have driven this family apart, instead brought them closer together because of love, understanding and compassion.


Book cover for Both sides now : one man's journey through womanhood
Both sides now : one man's journey through womanhood
Khosla, Dhillon.
Call Number: 306.7681 K45

Never feeling right in his own skin, Dhillon Khosla recounts his twenty-year struggle to find validation. Born with a female body, he always knew he was a man.


Book cover for Christine Jorgensen; personal autobiography. With an introd. by Harry Benjamin.
Christine Jorgensen; personal autobiography. With an introd. by Harry Benjamin.
Jorgensen, Christine, 1926-1989.
Call Number: 306.7681 J82

Christine Jorgensen's personal story of her transition, and the sensation it caused back in the 1950s.


Book cover for Conundrum
Conundrum
Morris, Jan, 1926-
Call Number: 306.76810942 M876 2002

Soldier in the British military during World War II, journalist, historian and prolific travel writer, James Morris knew from early childhood that he was a female. This autobiography details her medical transition in 1964.


Book cover for Crossing : a memoir
Crossing : a memoir
McCloskey, Deirdre N.
Call Number: 306.7681 M127

Deirdre McCloskey (formerly Donald) candidly discusses the decision to transition in her 50s, including issues with family, medical costs, psychological problems, and notoriety. The former Donald McCloskey was a very well known conservative economist, who wrote numerous books, and all of those books can be found under Deirdre McCloskey.


Book cover for Darling days
Darling days
Wright, iO Tillett,
Call Number: 810.92 W949

iO Tillett Wright's early life was tumultuous and uncertain. Raised by a showgirl mother whose erratic behavior was fueled by drug and alcohol problems, his homelife was fractured and school was a terrifying place. Born a girl, but at age six declared he was Ricky--no longer a daughter but a son.


Book cover for Doll parts : a memoir
Doll parts : a memoir
Lepore, Amanda,
Call Number: 306.768 L598

In every way possible, Amanda Lepore is a self-made woman. She was born Armand Lepore, and for as long as she can remember never, ever identified as anything but female. This is her story, told in her own unique way--direct and honest, sometimes raucous, retelling the pain she endured early on and later the triumphs. She is not the first transsexual woman, but in modern times she has become one of the internationally best known.


Book cover for Emergence : a transsexual autobiography
Emergence : a transsexual autobiography
Martino, Mario.
Call Number: 616.8583 M386

An autobiography from the 1970s, about a midwestern girl from a traditional Italian family, who never identified as a female.  His story provides historical perspective.


Book cover for Finding the real me : true tales of sex and gender diversity
Finding the real me : true tales of sex and gender diversity
Call Number: 306.768 F4945

Comforting, supportive, real-life stories from people who have lived and thrived, despite struggles, with gender and sexual identity.


Book cover for Frankly Kellie : becoming a woman in a man's world
Frankly Kellie : becoming a woman in a man's world
Maloney, Kellie, 1953-
Call Number: 306.7681 M257

Born to a tough working class family, Frank Maloney was a prominent boxing promoter, and years later made the decision to become Kellie Maloney. A forthright autobiography about inner confusion and suffering which was finally resolved.


Book cover for Gender : your guide : a gender-friendly primer on what to know, what to say, and what to do in the n
Gender : your guide : a gender-friendly primer on what to know, what to say, and what to do in the n
Airton, Lee
Call Number: 306.76 A298

A clear and accessible guide for all readers wishing to understand gender diversity and how to be an ally to the trans community.


Book cover for He's always been my son : a mother's story about raising her transgender son
He's always been my son : a mother's story about raising her transgender son
Barkin, Janna,
Call Number: 306.768092 B256Ba

Janna Barkin discusses what it is like to be the mother of a transgender child and the importance of having a family circle of support, as her daughter transitioned from female to male.  The books includes lists of resource groups.


Book cover for Just add hormones : an insider's guide to the transsexual experience
Just add hormones : an insider's guide to the transsexual experience
Kailey, Matt.
Call Number: 306.7681 K13

Having lived for 42 years as a straight woman, Matt Kiley knew that he was not living his authentic life. This is part memoir, but also an advisory book for those who are considering transitioning.


Book cover for Love lives here : a story of thriving in a transgender family
Love lives here : a story of thriving in a transgender family
Jetté Knox, Amanda
Call Number: 306.768092 J58

Amanda Jetté Knox describes her family's experience when her child and spouse come out as transgender. When she found no positive examples for her family, Jetté Knox decided her own family would be it.


Book cover for My story
My story
Tula.
Call Number: 306.7681 T917

Caroline "Tula" Cossey is a successful English model and an internationally known trans woman. In the 1980s she petitioned the European Court of Human Rights to be recognized as a woman in order to be legally be married in Britain.


Book cover for No way Renee : the second half of my notorious life
No way Renee : the second half of my notorious life
Richards, Renee.
Call Number: 306.7681 R517-1

40-year-old, Dr. Richard Raskin, well-known eye-surgeon, and expert amateur tennis player, was very public about his sex reassignment in 1975. As Renée Richards she endured criticism and was hounded by the press and paparrazi.  All of the notoriety took its toll and Richards is candid about it.


Book cover for None so pretty : the sexing of Rebecca Pine : the story of a changing life
None so pretty : the sexing of Rebecca Pine : the story of a changing life
McKay, Reg.
Call Number: 306.7681 M153 2001

What happens to a 64-year-old man, who had led a rather average life as a schoolboy, soldier, husband and father, and decides to ask himself, "Who am I?". He makes the transition from male to female while living in a small Scottish village with his second wife and her children. What are the repercussions, what does his new wife do, and what are the reactions from the villagers?


Book cover for On Christopher Street : transgender stories
On Christopher Street : transgender stories
Seliger, Mark
Call Number: 770.914 S465-3

World-renowned photo documentarian Mark Seliger set out to capture the life and theatre of Christopher Street, which he calls, " ... an Ellis Island for freedom of expression and gender identity." Full-page portraits are in black and white, with one light source, which were taken over three summers.


Book cover for Peninsula of lies : a true story of a mysterious birth and taboo love
Peninsula of lies : a true story of a mysterious birth and taboo love
Ball, Edward, 1959-
Call Number: 810.92 S592Ba

Englishman Gordon Langley Hall was a famous biographer, who was adopted in his early twenties by English actress Margaret Rutherford and her husband, actor Stringer Davis. "After sex reassignment surgery in 1968, Simmons wed in the first legal interracial marriage in South Carolina."  

 


Book cover for Queer Threads: Crafting Identity and Community
Queer Threads: Crafting Identity and Community
Chaich, John
Call Number: 746 C434

Featured are the works of 30 artists who have remixed fiber crafts, such as crochet, embroidery, quilting, sewing, weaving.  Using their artwork, they seek to examine queerness in various forms. The book is lavishly illustrated with color photographs.


Book cover for Queerly beloved : a love story across gender
Queerly beloved : a love story across gender
Anderson-Minshall, Diane.
Call Number: 306.768 A5525

Diane and Suzy were in a 15-year lesbian relationship, when one of them transitioned to male. A special story about two people who were and are still very much in love.


Book cover for Queerly centered : LGBTQA writing center directors navigate the workplace
Queerly centered : LGBTQA writing center directors navigate the workplace
Webster, Travis
Call Number: 808 W384

"Queerly Centered explores writing center administration and queer identity, showcasing nuanced orientations to LGBTQA labor undertaken but not previously acknowledged or documented in the field's research."


Book cover for Real queer America : LGBT stories from red states
Real queer America : LGBT stories from red states
Allen, Samantha
Call Number: 306.76620977 A429

Samantha Allen took a cross-country road trip, from Provo Utah to the Bible Belt to the Deep South, allowing her motto, "Something gay every day," to be her guide.


Book cover for Redefining realness : my path to womanhood, identity, love & so much more
Redefining realness : my path to womanhood, identity, love & so much more
Mock, Janet, 1983-
Call Number: 301.415 M688

Janet Mock's story was first told in 2011, in Marie Claire magazine, and later in book format was a bestseller.  She is steadfast in her honesty about growing up poor, multiracial and trans.


Book cover for The secrets of my life
The secrets of my life
Jenner, Caitlyn, 1949-
Call Number: 306.768092 J54

One of the most highly publicized sex reassignments in recent times. The former Bruce Jenner, retired Olympic gold medal decathlete, and reality TV star, speaks candidly about his years of struggle with gender identity, and the decision to transition and undergo sex reassignment treatments.


Book cover for Sexual metamorphosis : an anthology of transsexual memoirs
Sexual metamorphosis : an anthology of transsexual memoirs
Call Number: 306.7681 S5187

A collection of memoirs by sixteen transgender pioneers which provides perspective on social, medical and psychological issues.


Book cover for She, he, they, me : for the sisters, misters, and binary resisters
She, he, they, me : for the sisters, misters, and binary resisters
Ryle, Robyn
Call Number: 306.76 R994

This book tackles the nuances of gender identity using a choose-your-own-adventure style format. Readers can choose different gender paths in this exploration and celebration of gender diversity.


Book cover for She's not there : a life in two genders
She's not there : a life in two genders
Boylan, Jennifer Finney, 1958-
Call Number: 813 B7915B

Jennifer Finney Boylan brings all of her abilities as a talented novelist and professor to create a perceptive, reflective, funny memoir of how she transitioned from James to Jennifer. Despite extensive research prior to beginning her transition, she is surprised by the emotional and psychological changes which take place. She also credits the support of her best friend and novelist, Richard Russo.


Book cover for Sissy : A Coming-of-Gender Story
Sissy : A Coming-of-Gender Story
Tobia, Jacob, 1991-
Call Number: 306.768 T629

Labeled a "sissy" as a young person, Jacob Tobia decided there is nothing wrong with acting feminine and learned to embrace IT. In this funny, smart memoir, Tobia reflects on their trauma and healing, self-discovery, and life as a gender nonconforming writer, performer, and activist.


Book cover for Sorted : growing up, coming out, and finding my place : a transgender memoir
Sorted : growing up, coming out, and finding my place : a transgender memoir
Bird, Jackson
Call Number: 306.7681092 B618

YouTuber Jackson Bird describes his transgender experience in a memoir that is lighthearted, uplifting, and educational.


Book cover for Stuck in the middle with you : a memoir of parenting in three genders
Stuck in the middle with you : a memoir of parenting in three genders
Boylan, Jennifer Finney, 1958-
Call Number: 813 B7915B-2

Jennifer Finney Boylan writes clearly and compassionately about transitioning from male to female, and from being a father to a mother


Book cover for This body I wore : a memoir
This body I wore : a memoir
Goetsch, Diana
Call Number: 306.768092 G599

Diana Goetsch describes her long and painful journey to fully realize who she was.


Book cover for Through the door of life : a Jewish journey between genders
Through the door of life : a Jewish journey between genders
Ladin, Joy, 1961-
Call Number: 811 L155L

Professor Jay Ladin documents his transition from male to female, and how it affected her life as an Orthodox Jewish woman at the Yeshiva University.


Book cover for To my trans sisters
To my trans sisters
Call Number: 306.768 T6275

An inspiring collection of letters written by a diverse group of transgender women. Written with a transgender women’s audience in mind, all readers wanting to gain understanding of the trans community will find value in this book.


Book cover for Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality
Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality
Sarah McBride

Sarah McBride’s autobiography is a candid story of her own transitioning, and advocacy for LGBTQ rights. There have many firsts for McBride: as student body president at American University she came out as a transgender woman; in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention, she was the first transgender woman to address a major political convention. She is very sincere and candid about her thoughts and feelings as she recalls her early years as a child and later as an adult.


Book cover for Trans like me : conversations for all of us
Trans like me : conversations for all of us
Lester, C. N.
Call Number: 306.768092 L642

This book explores the experiences of those whose identities fall outside the male-female gender binary. While written primarily for a non-transgender audience to promote understanding, many non-binary and transgender readers will receive affirmation in this book's pages.


Book cover for Transition : the story of how I became a man
Transition : the story of how I became a man
Bono, Chaz.
Call Number: 306.7681 B719

Chastity was the only child, little girl, of pop stars, Sonny and Cher. He speaks candidly about gender issues, drug addiction and his transition from female to male--all in the limelight.


Book cover for Unbound : transgender men and the remaking of identity
Unbound : transgender men and the remaking of identity
Stein, Arlene
Call Number: 306.768 S819 2019

Award-winning sociologist Arlene Stein follows four young individuals over a year while they undergo medical transitions. Stein covers areas of medicine, psychology, sociology, and examines the complexities of gender.


Book cover for What becomes you
What becomes you
Link, Aaron Raz, 1965-
Call Number: 306.7681 L756

Parent and grown child bring a unique perspective to this autobiography. Aaron Raz Link is a scientist who contributes facts about genetics, behavior and visible characteristics to his transition from female to male. His mother Hilda Raz, a poet, provides honesty and emotion to her realization about what her son most needed in life--her understanding and support.


Book cover for The Woman I Was Not Born to Be: A Transsexual Journey
The Woman I Was Not Born to Be: A Transsexual Journey
Brevard, Aleshia
Call Number: 306.7681 B846

A funny, irreverent, brash and life-affirming autobiography. Before having surgery in 1962, Brevard worked as a drag queen and later as a Playboy bunny. Her story brings historical perspective to transgender concerns.


Book cover for A year without a name
A year without a name
Dunham, Cyrus Grace, 1992-
Call Number: 306.768092 D917

In this deeply personal memoir, journalist and activist Cyrus Grace Dunham describes their unresolved relationship to gender, and the emotional year preceding their transition from Grace to Cyrus.


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