Gender studies: transgender people Books

Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-FictionIn this groundbreaking new book, Thomas Page McBee, a trans man, trains to fight in a charity match at Madison Square Garden while struggling to untangle the vexed relationship between masculinity and violence.Through his experience of boxing - learning to get hit, and to hit back; wrestling with the camaraderie of the gym; confronting the betrayals and strength of his own body - McBee examines the weight of male violence, the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes and the limitations of conventional masculinity. A wide-ranging exploration of gender in our society, Amateur is ultimately a story of hope, as McBee traces a way forward: a new masculinity, inside the ring and out of it.A graceful and uncompromising exploration of living, fighting and healing, in Amateur we gain insight into the stereotypes and shifting realities of masculinity today through the eyes of a new man.Trade ReviewAmateur provocatively describes the ways in which an increasingly fragile patriarchal culture needs to keep men in their place. A quest for self-liberation, this loving and deeply intelligent exploration of contemporary masculinities is essential reading -- DEBORAH LEVYA visceral, sparky read . . . Beautifully written [and] deep and affecting . . . Absolutely fascinating -- BBC Radio 4 A Good ReadA blazingly wise and beautiful book -- A.L. KENNEDYMcBee's writing bristles with an elegant swagger . . . Amateur is as much a reconciliation as an emancipation . . . Punchy, thought-provoking stuff * * Sunday Times * *In an age when identity feels so splintered and fractional, McBee's empathy with men feels refreshing, but it's his determination to be accountable that is radical. He resolves his own masculinity crisis by doing the things men often think they're doing, but so often are not: listening, asking questions, seeking help, being vulnerable * * Observer * *Amateur is a heck of a tale, and McBee is a gifted memoirist * * Financial Times * *One of my favourite books of 2018 . . . A memoir about boxing, masculinity and transitioning. It is exceptional -- NIKESH SHUKLAAmateur is a beautiful and powerful book written by the superbly talented Thomas Page McBee. This memoir is such an important piece of trans literature to support and one that spoke to me deeply * * Elliot Page * *Amidst a generational shift bringing to question what exactly defines gender, this book plays like x-ray glasses, examining every oddity one may pretend isn't apparent -- JORDAN STEPHENSA story told honestly and joyously . . . all in an engaging voice shot through with self-awareness . . . unwaveringly honest * * Literary Review * *

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Book SynopsisAn engaging exploration of what it means to be asexual in a world that’s obsessed with sexual attraction, and what the ace perspective can teach all of us about desire and identity.What exactly is sexual attraction and what is it like to go through life not experiencing it? What does asexuality reveal about gender roles, about romance and consent, and the pressures of society? This accessible examination of asexuality shows that the issues that aces face—confusion around sexual activity, the intersection of sexuality and identity, navigating different needs in relationships—are the same conflicts that nearly all of us will experience. Through a blend of reporting, cultural criticism, and memoir, Ace addresses the misconceptions around the “A” of LGBTQIA and invites everyone to rethink pleasure and intimacy.Journalist Angela Chen creates her path to understanding her own asexuality with the perspectives of a diverse group of as

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Book SynopsisA unique first-hand account of a historical gay trans man's whole life, which reads like a celebratory coming-of-age novel. Lou kept candid diaries from the age of 10. Through these extracts, we hear Lou's life in his own words: from 'playing boys' in his childhood in Wisconsin, to cruising San Francisco's gay bars for handsome 'youngmen'; from first hearing about gender non-conforming communities, to becoming a vital part of them as an activist, author, and archivist. Lou navigated his identity with few role models and was perhaps the first publicly gay transgender man. Successfully campaigning to remove heterosexuality from the medical requirements for gender affirming surgery, Lou was pivotal in our modern understanding of gender and sexuality as distinct identities. After he was diagnosed with HIV in 1986, he remarked that he had been told by clinics that 'it was impossible for me to live as a gay man, but it looks like I'm gonna die like one.' This selection shows Lou's joyous love of life, men, and sex. * LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD WINNER * * PUBLISHING TRIANGLE FINALIST * WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY SUSAN STRYKER 'Chatty and tender, casually poetic and voraciously sexual-Sullivan workshopped his identity and his relationships, committing to the page an interior monologue of self-discovery that paralleled the gay-liberation movement, the burgeoning transgender-rights movement, and the aids crisis... Given how many contemporary trans narratives are rooted in trauma, their choice to foreground trans pleasure and sensuality is celebratory, even radical' The New YorkerTrade ReviewCelebratory, even radical * The New Yorker *Monumental * Hyperallergic *Lou is an open-book mystery, a man who built bridges of access, a gentle soul with whom I share similar demons -- Amos Mac * them *This finely edited collection pulls out threads like gender self-determination, illicit queer sexual desire, and relationship woes that span his entire life. The volume reads like an open letter written for future queer trans people longing to understand their identities and experiences across time and space -- Chris VargasThis is a great book by a great person...If I am perhaps too glowing in my praise of Lou, that's probably because I can't physically imagine myself without him -- Charlie Markbreiter * Bookforum *

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Book SynopsisAll boobs are created equal and are all honoured in this charming gift book.The Joy of Boobies is celebration of boobs of every size, shape and colour; breasts that have been created, removed, augmented or reduced. Boobies that are full of milk, boobies that will never produce any, boobies that are pierced, that point south or are uneven. Big tits, small tits and everything in between.This book is a call to celebrate the story our boobs have to tell and come to love what's on our chests.

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Book SynopsisBold, bright and fabulous just like you! This vibrant sticker book includes 200+ Pride themed stickers, featuring rainbows, Pride flags, pronouns and empowering slogans, all beautifully illustrated to be a source of inspiration, whether you're gay, bi, queer, intersex, trans, non-binary or an ally.Stick a rainbow on your laptop, a slogan on your water bottle or a Pride symbol in your journal, these stickers are a colourful and powerful reminder to take pride in yourself and the LGBTQIA+ community. Technical Information: 200+ StickersSmall, medium and largeDurable and glossyNot suitable for children under three years due to small parts.Trade ReviewLGBTQIA+ Pride Sticker Book is an essential for any queer person or ally. Every part of our rainbow is represented in Ollie Mann's vibrant and charismatic art! -- DOM & INK (Dominic Evans), freelance illustrator and author of 'Free to Be Me' and 'Queer Power'

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Book SynopsisIn this twentieth anniversary edition of Female Masculinitywhich features a new preface by the authorJack Halberstam uncovers a hidden history of female masculinities, cataloging the diversity of gender expressions among masculine women from nineteenth-century pre-lesbian practices to contemporary drag king performances.Trade Review“[Halberstam] steers herself admirably between the subtle and not so subtle interactions between the personal and theoretical.” -- Millissa Deitz * Screening the Past *“[R]efreshing . . . . Halberstam forces us to look at familiar texts and problems in fresh ways and leaves room for future scholarship to expand her critical insights. . . . [S]he has taken on a vast project and is clearly committed to sketching the contours of many possible approaches to female masculinity rather than dwelling on one or two . . . .[A]ccessible and enlightening . . . .” -- Rachel Adams * GLQ *“A significant contribution to a growing genre of feminist analyses of masculinity. . . . Female Masculinity's greatest strength lies in its scope. . . . [It] should rank among our most important, sophisticated feminist analyses of the way maleness is constructed in Western culture. Because of its focus on specifically lesbian contributions to masculinity, Halberstam's book surpasses its predecessors in its special relevance to lesbian readers. Finally (and perhaps most importantly for Halberstam's peers), because of her book's attention to both popular and high art subjects, Female Masculinity is an important contribution to the growing field of Cultural Studies.” -- Heather Findlay * Lesbian Review of Books *“Halberstam’s refusal to work within the ‘difference’ paradigm raises a series of exciting questions . . . . Female Masculinity takes on everything from eighteenth-century frictioners (tribades) to mustachioed drag kings like Mo B. Dick and Buster Hymen to transgender dykes. Halberstam argues convincingly that there has been persistent bias against masculine women in the lesbian community and in lesbian criticism. Moreover, she uses the example of the masculine woman to suggest that lesbians need a subtler vocabulary for sexuality and gender. . . .” -- Heather Love * Transition *“In this landmark study, Halberstam consolidates her position as a key theorist within Queer scholarship. Female Masculinity is an immensely persuasive, powerfully-written text that imparts exciting and important theoretical ideas. It constitutes a valuable initial challenge to those in feminism and cultural studies who conflate masculinity with maleness, and offers an inspiring start for ongoing study.” -- Maria Antoniou * Feminist Theory *"[A] unique offering in queer studies: a study of the masculine lesbian woman. Halberstam makes a compelling argument for a more flexible taxonomy of masculinity, including not only men, who have historically held the power in society, but also women who embody qualities that are usually associated with maleness, such as strength, authority, and independence." * Library Journal *"Halberstam’s book can be added to the list of important studies of masculinity and femininity. . . . Along with Judith Butler, Terry Castle, Sue-Ellen Case, and Eve K. Sedgwick, Halberstam—especially in her previous work on masculinity and lesbianism—is already established as one of the most thought-provoking voices in queer studies. This book will only enhance that reputation. Female Masculinity should find a wide readership. . . ." * Choice *"Judith Halberstam’s Female Masculinity is truly a pioneering document which disrupts eras of silence surrounding this topic. . . . [S]he crafts her language in a very inviting and accessible manner. She is clearly trying to be understood, which is a refreshing change from too many academic works. In addition, she infuses humor and little personal preferences or irritations (mostly through colorful adjective choices) into the middle of serious analysis, which makes the whole academic process more interesting and less elusive. . . . Whether you agree or disagree with her choices, the ideas are definitely stimulating. It is a book you’ll want to sit down with your friends and talk about. You find yourself overjoyed at one moment that someone has finally written down exactly what you’ve felt but haven’t been able to articulate, and in the next moment irritated because you think she’s mistaken. It is essentially an opening to the major taboo of masculinity in women . . . . [T]he genuine enthusiasm she brings to her research is catchy and this book could very well be the catalyst for expanding a whole field of thought. And, on a personal level, it simply affirms our lives and ideas." * Gay and Lesbian Times (San Diego) *"Judith Halberstam’s new book, Female Masculinity, is an extraordinary and studied work that carefully presents an analysis of gender, and more specifically, masculinity, without over-simplification or narrow definition. . . . This is the most thorough and broad-visioned work on female masculinity that I have yet seen. Halberstam’s work is an essential contribution to our increasing understanding of gender expression and its relationship to biology and sexual orientation, as well as to everything else." * Lambda Book Report *"There is a need for this book; Halberstam’s analysis offers the reader a fresh and positive spin on the much maligned stone butch figure, for example, and the book contains an interesting selection of photos of drag kings, transgender, and butch women. There are long sections detailing butch characters in film and modern drag performers, an area on which little has been written." * Siren *"Female Masculinity is a full-on attack on the idea that masculinity is exclusively—or even primarily—the property of men. . . . [It] aims to help restore a sense of butch pride, and to validate the entitlement of women to their own masculinity. . . . There’s an interesting defense of the stone butch, more often cast as a damaged and dysfunctional figure, and a walk along the debated borders between butch lesbians and female to male transsexuals. An accessible chapter on butch representation in film observes the emasculation of butches in mainstream productions—Fried Green Tomatoes, Desert Hearts—and there’s a useful analysis of what’s at stake in the drag king club acts in America and the UK. . . . [This is] the first full-length study in a crucial area and it’s a great starting point." * Diva *Table of ContentsIllustrations ix Preface to the Twentieth Anniversary Edition xi Preface xxiii 1. An Introduction to Female Masculinity: Masculinity without Men 1 2. Perverse Presentation: The Androgyne, the Tribade, the Female Husband, and Other Pre-Twentieth-Century Genders 45 3. "A Writer of Misfits": John Radclyffe Hall and the Discourse of Inversion 75 4. Lesbian Masculinity: Even Stone Butches Get the Blues 111 5. Transgender Butch: Butch/FTM Border Wars and the Masculine Continuum 141 6. Looking Butch: A Rough Guide to Butches on Film 175 7. Drag Kings: Masculinity and Performance 231 8. Raging Bull (Dyke): New Masculinities 267 Notes 279 Bibliography 307 Filmography 319 Index 323

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Book SynopsisA new way of thinking about data science and data ethics that is informed by the ideas of intersectional feminism.Today, data science is a form of power. It has been used to expose injustice, improve health outcomes, and topple governments. But it has also been used to discriminate, police, and surveil. This potential for good, on the one hand, and harm, on the other, makes it essential to ask: Data science by whom? Data science for whom? Data science with whose interests in mind? The narratives around big data and data science are overwhelmingly white, male, and techno-heroic. In Data Feminism, Catherine D'Ignazio and Lauren Klein present a new way of thinking about data science and data ethics—one that is informed by intersectional feminist thought.Illustrating data feminism in action, D'Ignazio and Klein show how challenges to the male/female binary can help challenge other hierarchical (and empirically wrong) classification systems. They explain how,

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Book SynopsisAfter a successful career, a twenty-year marriage, and two kids, McKenzie Wark has an acute midlife crisis: coming out as a trans woman. Changing both social role and bodily form recasts her relation to the world. Transition changes what, and how, she remembers. She makes fresh sense of her past and of history by writing to key figures in her life about the big themes that haunt us all-love and money, sex and death.In letters to her childhood self, her mother, sister, and past lovers, she writes a backstory that enables her to live in the present. The letters expand to address trans sisters lost and found, as well as Cybele, ancient goddess of trans women. She engages with the political, the aesthetic, and the numinous dimensions of trans life and how they refract her sense of who she is, who she has been, who she can still become. She confronts difficult memories that connect her mother's early death to her compulsion to write, her communist convictions, her coming to New York, the bittersweet reality of her late transition, and the joy to be found in Brooklyn's trans and raver communities.Trade ReviewSeeing the world unfold from the perspective of a self is easier than seeing that self as a particular folding-up of the world. MacKenzie Wark's special genius, in this wild ride across the late twentieth century and its aftermath, is to offer both perspectives at once, shimmying and shaking between the two with gleeful and brilliant abandon. -- Susan Stryker, author of Transgender HistoryMcKenzie Wark's account of her life to this point fuses friendship and history, love and ideas. Radically honest and beautifully light, her memoir offers brilliant and challenging ways of understanding how fluidly gender is actually lived by those who dare. Like all of her work, it's really a personal manifesto. I was inspired and energized reading this book. -- Chris Kraus, author of I Love DickA capacious offering to transfeminine truth-witty and wild, soft and scathing, broken-hearted and open-hearted. Moving toward the future by excavating the past, Wark makes space for complexity, innovation, self- determination, and communal possibility in "the sparkle of one's difference." -- Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, author of The Freezer DoorIn writing letters to former selves, mothers, lovers and others McKenzie Wark has captured life lived in and as transformation with rigour and poetry. From an oppressive but formative 1960s Australian childhood, to the physical and intellectual expansiveness of New York City in the 21st century, Wark witnesses her beginnings and endings, her coming and unbecoming. She is bracing, sharp, argumentative and tender all at once -- Sophie Cunningham, author of The Devastating FeverA sharp epistolary memoir about gender, family, disability, and age...Wark's analysis of gender, sexuality, and queerness is both ebullient and trenchant. * Kirkus Reviews *Sad and tender and sassy and smart. A love letter to life and transition, to the endless possibilities of the body and the mind, to love itself. -- Fiona Kelly McGregor, author of IrisWark is one of the only scholars to take young people seriously-not as a spectacle or site of extraction, but as friends to learn from and hang out with. This lack of judgment, which radiates, not just through the book, but through the author herself, is what is so winning in the end. I am grateful for Love and Money, Sex and Death, and I'm grateful for McKenzie, too. -- Charlie Markbreiter * The New Inquiry *This memoir plumbs erasures in Wark's personal experiences in order to understand her personal formation outside of the 'born this way' narrative...there's something refreshing, even relieving, about the book's lack of a neat, packaged gender narrative. Love and Money, Sex and Death is a memoir that seeks understanding around a personal formation; it extends that spacious anarchy for others to play in too. * Foreword Reviews *[This] memoir is an attempt to make sense of the edited self and the person who we once were. A portrait of selfhood under construction. -- Isle McElroy, 24 Books We Can’t Wait to Read This Fall * Vulture *Wark revisits and reexamines her past by writing letters to major figures in her life in her new memoir and a stunning look at transition, history, art, and memory. -- September 2023's Must Read Books * Nylon *[Love and Money, Sex and Death] outright embodies not just the communal, but the femmunal, the sprawling network of weirdo-others that make the self. -- Anahi Molina * Guernica *Wark's work is always worth checking out, and this new book looks to be an especially essential part of her bibliography. * Vol. 1 Brooklyn *Wark's poetic and direct language crafts an unusually moving text that draws on art, popular culture, and mythology. The result is an introspective narrative that both tells an individual's story and conveys essential insights into gender and queerness, family, friends, and change. -- Natalie Haddad * Hyperallergic *In glimpses that are both emotionally and intellectually breathtaking, [Wark] recalls her coming-of-age in Newcastle, Australia, in the 1960s and '70s; her career as a poet; her marriage and grief; parenthood; her various lovers and her transition, in her 50s. -- Melissa Bond * The New York Times Book Review *[Wark] turns the idea of a traditional, linear memoir on its head, using hindsight as a tool to reapproach, and in some cases recover, past relationships. -- Allison Armijo * The Gay & Lesbian Review *McKenzie Wark is one of the sharpest, most exciting voices writing at the intersections of capitalism, community, gender, and sex - more broadly, everything in this title - and she is also criminally underread. -- Arianna Rebolini, Best Memoirs of 2023 * Vulture *

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Book SynopsisIf you're transgender, non-binary, or any other gender under the wide and wonderful trans umbrella, this book is for you. A creative journal and workbook with a difference, this book combines coloring pages celebrating trans identity, beauty and relationships, with practical advice, journaling prompts and space for reflection to promote self-affirmation and wellbeing.Drawing on CBT and mindfulness techniques, the book covers topics including body positivity and neutrality, coming out, euphoria and dysphoria, building new friendships and navigating relationships with your friends and family, and is the go-to resource for anybody who has ever felt the pressure to conform to a singular definition or narrative.Theo Nicole Lorenz's heart-warming and empowering illustrations of trans people will provide reassurance that you are never alone, and are a reminder to always treat yourself kindly.Trade ReviewTheo Lorenz's Trans Self-Care Workbook is just the gentle friend and fierce ally that you need to guide you through your gender journey. Packed with beautiful pics to colour and awesome activities, the book covers everything from navigating dysphoria and euphoria, to coming out, to finding community. Theo's kind humour comes through on every page, reminding us that we're all trans enough, that wherever we are on our journey is okay, and that however tough it can be at times, we will get through this. I have so much love for this book. -- Meg-John Barker, co-author of How to Understand Your Gender, Life Isn't Binary, and Hell Yeah Self-CareFrom the first comforting page to the last joyous exercise, the Trans Self-Care Workbook will help you to discover more about the trans movement and your own heart. Page after page invites you build a kind accepting relationship with yourself. What a glorious journey! -- Jeffrey Marsh, the first nonbinary activist on national TV, and author of the bestselling How To Be YouThe Trans Self-Care Workbook is the warm, consensual hug of affirmation that every trans and nonbinary person needs. Wisdom and insight about being trans is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. No matter whether you are exploring your gender or you have been out for a long time, this workbook will be a loving gift to yourself. -- Dr. Alex Iantaffi, Author of How To Understand Your Gender; Life Isn't Binary; and Gender TraumaTable of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Who I Am; 2. Self Worth; 3. Body Image; 4. Coming Out; 5. My Community; 6. Being Out in the World; 7. Gender Euphoria; 8. When the Going Gets Tough; 9. Social Movements

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Book SynopsisBinding is a crucial strategy in many transgender and non-binary people''s lives for coping with gender dysphoria, yet the vast majority of those who bind report some negative physical symptoms. Written by Frances Reed, a licensed bodywork and massage therapist specialising in gender transition, this comprehensive guide helps you make the healthiest choices from the very start of your binding journey.Including guidance for choosing the right binder, approaching your first bind, an overview of potential health risks and complications, a range of self-massage and self-fascial release exercises to minimize pain and dysphoria, as well as tips and tricks for exercising safely in a binder - this is the ultimate resource for anyone that practices chest binding.

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Book SynopsisThe never-before-told story of Ewan Forbes and the landmark case that rocked British society and transformed transgender experience to this day *LONGLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION CROWNS* 'A remarkable story' The Times 'Almost reads like a thriller' Sunday Times 'One of the most important pieces of investigative journalism ever written about trans people’ i ------------------- Ewan Forbes was born Elisabeth Forbes to a wealthy landowning family in 1912. It quickly became clear that the gender applied to him at birth was not correct, and from the age of six he began to see specialists in Europe for help. With the financial means of procuring synthetic hormones, Ewan was able to live as a boy, and then as man, and was even able to correct the sex on his birth certificate in order to marry. Then, in 1965, his older brother died and Ewan was set to inherit the family baronetcy. After his cousin contested the inheritance on the grounds that it could only be inherited by a male heir, Ewan was forced to defend his male status in an extraordinary court case, testing the legal system of the time to the limits of its understanding. In The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes, Zoë Playdon draws on the fields of law, medicine, psychology and biology to reveal a remarkable hidden history, uncovering for the first time records that were considered so threatening that they had been removed from view for decades.Trade ReviewThere are so many twists and turns in the tale that follows that it sometimes reads like a thriller . . . She’s a skilful storyteller, and her descriptions of the Scottish landscape are so vivid I wanted to leap on a train and gaze at “the falling sun” making the shadows of beech trees “a ladder of light” * Sunday Times *Class, sex, money, perjury – the story of how Elisabeth became Sir Ewan has everything . . . Zoë Playdon tells a remarkable story here: part legal mystery, part courtroom drama, part family saga. It’s driven by class, sex and money and it contains one of the most audacious acts of perjury you’re ever likely to read about * The Times *A landmark story of trans rights . . . A complex story compellingly told * Times Literary Supplement *The case of Ewan Forbes was a landmark, and kudos to Playdon for unearthing it * Herald *Zoë Playdon’s erudite, passionate [and] ultimately persuasive new book . . . encapsulates this reality by telling three stories at once . . . This account is contextualized by a rich and riveting social history of trans people’s rocky road to cultural acceptance in the West, from the early 20th century up to the current day * New York Times *A revelation . . . Zoë Playdon has written a formidable book . . . Magnificently researched and told -- Michael Cashman, author of ONE OF THEMZoë Playdon shines dazzling light on the case of an early trans pioneer, a man whose dignity and courage remain an inspiration to a new generation of trans people, and those that love us. Abundant with compassion, clarity, and meticulous research, Ms. Playdon ensures that Ewan Forbes’ case will remain hidden no more. Urgent, generous, and wise -- Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of SHE'S NOT THERE and GOOD BOYAs a seasoned activist and skilled academic, Zoë Playdon provides us with an illuminating account of the trans struggle for justice, human rights and equality. Her lens is the secret case of Ewan Forbes, where a class-based legal system sought to preserve male primogeniture. This is a landmark work of history, law and social change -- Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

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Book SynopsisElisabeth Spencer's daughter Milly came out as trans at the age of twenty-one. Just a few days later, in one of life's perfect storms, Spencer's husband was diagnosed with an advanced terminal illness - and so she was set on course to confront rebirth in the face of death. In this compelling and poignant memoir, Spencer recalls her emotional journey over the course of her daughter's life, as she struggles first with the mystery of Milly's constant unhappiness, then with the revelation of her coming out, through a sense of bereavement, bewilderment and guilt, culminating in her determination to help her child become her true self. Written with remarkable warmth, generosity and honesty, The Road to My Daughter is both a deeply moving meditation on motherhood and a nuanced and compassionate reflection on trans issues, illuminating not only how it feels to witness the physical and mental processes of transitioning, and the realities behind embarking on this journey together, but also what it means to be a parent.Trade Review"A beautifully honest, informative and tender story from a perspective that has been all but silenced in the public 'debate' about what's best for kids who grow up feeling as I felt growing up. Thank you." - Paris Lees "I read Elisabeth Spencer's story with my heart in my mouth. It is heartbreakingly honest and lyrical, and she is so frank about the challenges she and her daughter have faced. It could not be more timely, compassionate and important. I urge you to read it." - Rosie Fiore

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Book SynopsisHow are sex and gender related? Are they the same thing? What exactly is gender? How many genders are there? What is the science on all of this? Is gender a product of nature, nurture, or both? This book introduces readers to fundamental questions about sex and gender categories as they’ve been considered across the centuries and through a wide array of disciplines and perspectives. From the Bible to Darwin, from Enlightenment thinkers to contemporary trans philosophers, Beyond the Binary comprises an accessible survey of the wide range of views about sex and gender. This revised and expanded edition uses updated terminology and diagnostic criteria and offers new material with a greater focus on trans, Indigenous, racialized, and subaltern thinkers. It includes useful discussion questions and further reading recommendations at the end of each chapter, as well as an extensive glossary of terms.Trade Review“This book is an engaging, rigorously-researched introductory guide to some of the central questions around human sex and gender categorisations. It is wonderfully intersectional and interdisciplinary, masterfully surveying and critically engaging a broad array of positions from a host of thinkers, past and present. I highly recommend Beyond the Binary to instructors, students, and any readers wishing to expand their knowledge and deepen their thinking regarding the oft-contested concepts of sex and gender.” — Stephanie Kapusta, Dalhousie University“The first edition of Beyond the Binary: Thinking about Sex and Gender was as thoughtful and teachable a volume as one could ask for on the complex, multidisciplinary issues surrounding sex and gender. The second edition is even better, with expanded discussions of the intersectional conceptual frames necessary for addressing the history of the ‘the binary’ and the culturally emergent forms that extend beyond it. Dea presents these complex ideas in a strikingly teachable way, and, frankly, I can’t wait to use this book in the classroom.” — Willis Salomon, Trinity UniversityTable of Contents Preface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Framing, Tools, Terms Chapter 3: Aristotelian and Judeo-Christian Models of Sex Difference Chapter 4: The Second Sex Chapter 5: The Third Sex? Chapter 6: Gender in BIPOC and Subaltern Cultures Chapter 7: Intersex Chapter 8: Trans Chapter 9: Biodeterminism Chapter 10: The One-Sex Model Chapter 11: Difference and Equality Chapter 12: Sex/Gender as Social Construction Glossary Annotated Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA must-read for anyone interested in the history of drag performance.?Publishers WeeklyA rich and provocative history of drag's importance in modern British culture. Drag: A British History is a groundbreaking study of the sustained popularity and changing forms of male drag performance in modern Britain. With this book, Jacob Bloomfield provides fresh perspectives on drag and recovers previously neglected episodes in the history of the art form. Despite its transgressive associations, drag has persisted as an intrinsic, and common, part of British popular culturedrag artists have consistently asserted themselves as some of the most renowned and significant entertainers of their day. As Bloomfield demonstrates, drag was also at the center of public discussions around gender and sexuality in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, from Victorian sex scandals to the permissive society of the 1960s. This compelling new history demythologizes drag, stressing its ordinariness while affirming its important place in British cultural heritage.Trade Review"A must-read for anyone interested in the history of drag performance." * Publishers Weekly *"An excellent examination of the complexities of various forms of stage drag and its mainstay role in British popular culture." * Library Journal *"A new look at the history of drag. . . . Bloomfield illustrates how drag has long been a complex yet ‘ordinary’ artform, historically straddling queer radicalism and mass entertainment along the way." * ArtReview *"A thoughtful and fascinating read." * Everything Theater *"A fascinating overview of the story of British drag artists." * Alex Sierz *Table of ContentsContents List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Old Mother Riley and the Modern Dame 2 Splinters: Cross-Dressing Ex-Servicemen on the Interwar Stage 3 Danny La Rue: Conservative Drag in the “Permissive Society” 4 Skirting the Censor: Drag and the Censorship of the British Theater, 1939–1968 Epilogue: How Queer Is Drag? Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-FictionShortlisted for the Wellcome Book PrizeIn this groundbreaking new book, Thomas Page McBee, a trans man, trains to fight in a charity match at Madison Square Garden while struggling to untangle the vexed relationship between masculinity and violence.Through his experience of boxing - learning to get hit, and to hit back; wrestling with the camaraderie of the gym; confronting the betrayals and strength of his own body - McBee examines the weight of male violence, the pervasiveness of gender stereotypes and the limitations of conventional masculinity. A wide-ranging exploration of gender in our society, Amateur is ultimately a story of hope, as McBee traces a way forward: a new masculinity, inside the ring and out of it.A graceful and uncompromising exploration of living, fighting and healing, in Amateur we gain insight into the stereotypes and shifting realities of masculinity today through the eyes of a new man.Trade ReviewAmateur is a beautiful and powerful book written by the superbly talented Thomas Page McBee. This memoir is such an important piece of trans literature to support and one that spoke to me deeply * * Elliot Page * *A visceral, sparky read . . . Beautifully written [and] deep and affecting . . . Absolutely fascinating -- BBC Radio 4 A Good ReadA blazingly wise and beautiful book -- A.L. KENNEDYMcBee's writing bristles with an elegant swagger . . . Amateur is as much a reconciliation as an emancipation . . . Punchy, thought-provoking stuff * * Sunday Times * *In an age when identity feels so splintered and fractional, McBee's empathy with men feels refreshing, but it's his determination to be accountable that is radical. He resolves his own masculinity crisis by doing the things men often think they're doing, but so often are not: listening, asking questions, seeking help, being vulnerable * * Observer * *Brave, honest and touchingly human . . . This is a beautiful book that will resonate . . . with anyone anywhere in the world who is determined to become a better, kinder human being -- ELIF SHAFAK * * Guardian * *Amateur is a heck of a tale, and McBee is a gifted memoirist * * Financial Times * *Amateur provocatively describes the ways in which an increasingly fragile patriarchal culture needs to keep men in their place. A quest for self-liberation, this loving and deeply intelligent exploration of contemporary masculinities is essential reading -- DEBORAH LEVYOne of my favourite books of 2018 . . . A memoir about boxing, masculinity and transitioning. It is exceptional -- NIKESH SHUKLAAn eye-opening story about gender and courage, and confirmation that there are many different fights to being a man * * Guardian * *

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Book SynopsisThe perfect gift for Bimini and Drag Race fans!''MAGIC! A fun, fierce, honest origin story of how to drag yourself up out of trouble and become an icon'' Katherine Ryan''A triumph for UK queer culture'' Travis Alabanza''Eye-opening, intelligent, thoughtful as well as sassy and surprising - a must read'' Lorraine Kelly_______________________________________A witty and inspiring guide to transforming your life through lessons from drag, by the UK''s favourite drag queen and star of RuPaul''s Drag Race UK, Bimini Bon Boulash.From being told she couldn''t have dance lessons as a kid in Great Yarmouth to having to conform to the stereotypes of the gay scene in London''s East End, people have always been trying to put Bimini Bon Boulash in a box. It was only through discovering the art of drag that she began to fight back against those preconceptions, and understand that she had the power to define herself.In A Drag Queen''s Guide to Life, Bimini tells the story of how drag took her from the brink of self-destruction to become a gag-inducing, death-dropping, plant-based superstar. Drawing on her own experience as a nonbinary person in a binary world, as well as inspirational stories from history, politics, pop culture and fashion, she uses all her wit, charm and kindness to show us how to lead the lives we wish we could lead, through the life-changing magic of dragging up._______________________________________''Radical, life-affirming, and utterly important for this time'' Riyadh Khalaf''A very important read'' Gottmik''She''s a superstar'' Kathy Burke''You will always be our winner'' Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London''A force of nature'' James AcasterSunday Times Bestseller, October 2021Trade Review'MAGIC! A fun, fierce, honest origin story of how to drag yourself up out of trouble and become an icon' -- Katherine Ryan'Eye-opening, intelligent, thoughtful as well as sassy and surprising - a must read' -- Lorraine Kelly'This book does many things, it educates, explains, describes and shares personal experiences, but all of that goodness is wrapped up in a beautiful layer of genuine kindness and care for the reader, who is possibly, young, coming out and in some way or another exploring gender. Full of wit, wisdom and warmth' -- Juno Roche, author of Trans Power and Queer Sex'Bimini has written a book that mixes the personal, political, humour and glamour that surrounds them. A triumph for UK queer culture, this book welcomes their new audience in to the queer present and past, with a clear argument for a gender fluid future. It felt like it was part diary entry, part history lecture and part recording from a real good chat in a smoking area in East London - the best combination for a book!' -- Travis Alabanza, award winning writer, performer and theatre maker'Seeing Bimini take the world by storm with her authenticity, power and brilliance is truly a delight. Release the Beast is quintessential Bimini, hitting the nail on the head with her irreverent wit and infectious personality. Ms Boulash, you're definitely in the history books now!' -- Jamie Windust, author of In Their Shoes'Bimini is absolutely brilliant in the way they are able to deliver such importantly crucial lessons about sexuality and gender in such a relatable and understanding way. RELEASE THE BEAST is a very important read for so many of us out there who struggle with sexuality, gender, and anything in between!' -- Gottmik'A beautifully vulnerable and heartfelt journey from this down-to-earth high femme them. Bimini's radically real personal story reminds me to stay in my truth. This is a friendly reminder of self-love, and that your greatest gift to this world is to be yourself' -- Fox Fisher, artist, film-maker & campaigner, author of Trans Teen Survival Guide'The Queen has spoken and here are their 10 Queer commandments. Radical, life-affirming, and utterly important for this time. Bimini's wisdom and fresh outlook on gender identity and societal constraints are tackled with humanity and hilarity. A must-read for all Queers and those who care about them' -- Riyadh Khalaf'With the generosity of spirit, wit and hilarity that we came to love from Bimini on Drag Race, their book is a triumphant celebration of living authentically - deftly combining the personal and the political, Bimini paints a picture of the world where we can all live freely. I enjoyed it immensely' -- Amrou Al-Kadhi'It's easy to see why Bimini inspires so many people, injecting positivity where we need it. This book is Ru Paul's mantra "If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" updated and expanded upon for a new generation' -- Amelia Abraham, author of Queer Intentions and We Can Do Better Than This'...and the next literary superstar is... Bimini Bon Boulash!!! Like the queen herself- witty, hilarious, empowering, you will fall in love with Release the Beast!' -- Charlie Craggs, author of To My Trans Sisters'Always surprising, unfailingly original and a kind-hearted soul, Bimini Bon Boulash is modern-day, punk-fashion drag royalty' -- British Vogue

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Book Synopsis'On the bookshelves, there was plenty of stuff on being gay, and much needed, joyous accounts of what it is to be trans, but nothing really that encapsulates what is it to be both - to exist in the hazy terrain between.'After his relationship with his girlfriend of 5 years ended, Harry realised he was a single adult for the first time - not only that, but a single, transmasculine and newly out gay man.Despite knowing it was the right decision, the reality of his new situation was terrifying. How could he be a gay man, when he was still learning what it was to be a man? Would the gay community embrace him or reject him? What would gay sex be like? And most importantly, would finding love again be possible?In this raw, intimate and unflinchingly honest book, we follow Harry as he navigates the sometimes fraught and contradictory worlds of contemporary gay culture as a trans gay man, from Grindr, dating and gay bars, to saunas, sex and ultimately, falling in love. Harry's brave and uplifting journey will show you there is joy in finding who you are.Trade Review"Brilliant and SO funny!" * Elliot Page - BAFTA and Emmy-awarding winning actor *This singular exploration of one man's journey towards himself shows us we are infinitely distinct and unique, and all the stronger as a community for it. -- Andrew McMillan, Poet (100 Queer Poems, Physical, Pandemonium)This book manages to convey the wisdom and self-reflection of an elder, while also containing so much potential for how much life Harry has yet to live. It shares a trans gay experience in a way that welcomes cis people into the conversation, while never once making his queerness 'palatable'. Harry's anger at how much further we have to go is only matched by the scale of his hope that, together, we'll get there - and in this memoir Harry is showing us the way. A miracle. -- Adam Zmith - Author of Deep Sniff: A History of Poppers and winner of the Polari First Book Prize 2022As a community with millions of people, there is no 'one size fits all' experience, and this is a perfect example of the nuance in trans experiences. I laughed and cried, I related and I learned. His vulnerability and honesty feels like an antidote in an increasingly hostile world. Beautiful. -- Shivani Dave (they/them), journalist and radio presenterCelebrates the interconnectedness and incongruity of gender, doing so in a way that frees the reader by extension. Will live on in the minds of each and every reader. -- Neil Czeszejko, Delphic ReviewsThe projected portrait of being trans by the media is bleak, yet Harry writes with such warmth and candour that he shines a light on the majesty of being exactly who you are - unapologetically. Without sugar-coating issues or hiding the hostility we face as a community, this book is a nuanced and individual look into the complexity of the trans experience within the wider LGBTQIA+ community - a triumph. -- Ben Pechey, author, presenter & LGBTQIA advocateAn engaging and easy-to-read book about a life experience that hardly anyone talks about. -- Christine Burns MBE, Activist and author of Trans BritainBoth a rallying cry for liberation, and an intimate self reflection, Nicholas celebrates and examines queer masculinity in its various forms, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nicholas' s wit comes through the page in moments of consideration, balanced out with steamy, sexual liberation. A Trans Man Walks Into A Gay Bar is a book with something for all of us, no matter where we lie on the spectrums of gender, sex, expression, and sexuality. -- David Chipakupaku, journalistA beautifully important, eye-opening book in a world of criticism and ignorance. Harry, inviting into his life with commendable rawness, is helping so many people understand, educate and grow with our community. A vital reminder that no trans person needs to be fixed. -- Daniel Harding, author of Gay Man TalkingHopeful and life affirming, A Trans Man Walks into a Gay Bar is impossible to put down. This is a memoir that doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths but Harry's writing is profoundly moving, he handles the most complex conversations with the lightest of touches. Charming, witty and sexy, this is a book for anyone who has ever felt lost or who has found themselves, or is somewhere along the way. -- Laura Kay, author of The Split, Tell Me Everything and Wild ThingsFrank, Funny, Exciting and ExploratoryI was absolutely glued to this.Incredible insight into how non-linear the trans journey can be; the way the world treats you differently based on your presentation, the sadness of letting go of previous spaces and the unique fear which goes with being thrust into a new community. As someone whose body also doesn't and may never conform to society's standards, I stan this book. -- Fox Fisher, author and activistNicholas has written a revelatory, deeply generous memoir of queer existence and resistance. His message is empowered and empowering, sensitive and full of heart -- Peter Scalpello, queer poet and author of Limbic

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Book SynopsisBrings together a wealth of research and an expansive selection of photographs to create an enduring account of America's first known trans network, Casa Susanna. In the 1950s and 60s, an underground network of transgender women and cross-dressing men found refuge at a modest house in the Catskills region of New York. Known as Casa Susanna, the house provided a safe place to express their true selves and live for a few days as they had always dreamed - dressed as and living as women without fear of being incarcerated or institutionalized for their self-expression. This book opens up that now-lost world. The photographs - mostly discovered by chance in a New York flea market in 2004 - chronicle the experiences of men who dressed as women, gender nonconforming people, and transwomen in states of relaxation, experimentation, connection and joy. All of this was made possible by Susanna Valenti who - on her own journey toward womanhood - created Casa Susanna, a protected space wher

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Book SynopsisSam is nonbinary, and when Sam's home borough of Staten Island opensup a contest for a new statue, Sam finds the perfect subject:photographer Alice Austen, who lived with a female partner for decades. Soon, Sam's project isn't just about winning the contest. It's about discovering a rich history that Sam's a part of.

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Book Synopsis''Rae McDaniel is a leader in their generation, matching compassion with clear-sighted vision for a sex-positive future'' Emily Nagoski, PhD, author of Come As You Are and BurnoutTaking everything they know from more than a decade of working with the queer and trans community, their personal journey of gender exploration, and clinical best practices, licensed therapist, coach and speaker Rae McDaniel created the Gender Freedom Model. A uniquely supportive narrative for gender exploration and transition grounded in queer joy, their nine-pillar model has helped thousands of transgender and nonbinary individuals explore gender through play, pleasure and freedom. And now, it can help you too.Whether you''re transgender, non-binary, cisgender or still exploring, this compassionate and practical guide will help you experience your gender in new, expansive ways by teaching: How to move from anxiety, self-doubt, and fear to a confident, proactTrade ReviewRae McDaniel is a leader in their generation, matching compassion with clear-sighted vision for a sex-positive future. Emily Nagoski, PhD, author of Come As You Are and BurnoutForegrounding agency and joy without glossing over real challenges, nonbinary therapist Rae McDaniel weaves research, clinical wisdom, their own and their clients' lived experience, and powerful love magic into a book that will debunk toxic nonsense and unlock gender euphoria. Carol Queen, PhD, Co-Founder of the Center for Sex & Culture, author and activistGender Magic reroutes the hero's journey by insisting that all bodies are sites of profound creativity and pleasure, ever generating innovative meanings. A cutting-edge triumph that will likely save lives on its way to illuminating new stories to live by. Lidia Yuknavich, critically acclaimed author of The Chronology of WaterIn a culture that frames being trans as either suffering or surviving, Rae McDaniel provides a travelogue of the potential, the pleasure and the possibility of living gender with deliberate cultivated joy. From mapping your complex gender galaxy to examining hopes, fears, anxieties, even regrets, Gender Magic is an able companion for anyone seeking better self-esteem, better sex and better relations with others. Dr Tey Meadow, associate professor of sociology at The Institute for the Study of Gender & Sexuality, Columbia UniversityRae McDaniel offers a hopeful path forward for gender explorers and those who love them, teaching folks how to find joy and meaning in the journey towards authenticity. Gender Magic is full of valuable guidance that honours and prepares people for the complexities within this particular life journey. Dr. Scott Mosser, surgeon and founder of the Gender Confirmation CenterGender Magic is a masterclass in authenticity, worthiness and letting your full self be seen-written from the lens of gender freedom. It's a must read for anyone on a journey to joyfully break out of confining gender 'boxes' and live their biggest, best life. Rachel Rodgers, bestselling author of We Should All Be MillionairesThe Gender Freedom Model will be a life-changing guide to help folks navigate their gender journey from a place of strength and help them live their very best life. Truly magical! Neil 'Nelly' Cannon, PhD, LMFT, CST, AASECT-certified sex therapist and supervisor, clinical director, the Cannon InstituteGender Magic is a fresh and audacious guide to gender freedom, helping readers find the courage and momentum they need to confidently be themselves in the world. Andrea Owen, author of How to Stop Feeling like Sh*t, global keynote speaker, and professional certified life coachRae has written an as-promised magical book that takes you by the heart and leads you through both their own and your own journey from gender-surviving to gender-thriving. A must-read for anyone with a gender worth celebrating (that means you!). Yana Tallon-Hicks, LMFT, sex therapist and author of Hot and UnbotheredGender Magic is a bold and accessible look at gender diversity that had me screaming, 'Yes!' all the way through. This book is a celebration of gender freedom for all of us and provides a powerful and hopeful vision of a world where each of us gets to live without shame as our true selves. Susan Hyatt, Master certified life coach and bestselling author of BareGender Magic is fascinating; it is joyful, and it will change you. Lauren F. Streicher, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern UniversityThis gem of a book should be required reading for all humans. Rae McDaniel is a masterful and delightful genius and this book is a gift to us all. Get it and then get another because you'll end up giving your dogeared copy away, with love. Jennifer Pastiloff, bestselling author of On Being Human

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Book SynopsisA landmark reference guide to the LGBTQIA+ community's contributions to the English language-an intersectional, inclusive illustrated glossary featuring more than 800 terms created by and for queer culture.With a foreword from Paula Akpan Do you know where "yaaaas queen!" comes from? Do you know the difference between a bear and a wolf? Do you know what all the letters in LGBTQIA+ stand for? The Queens' English is a comprehensive guide to modern gay slang, queer theory terms, and playful colloquialisms that define and celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture. This modern dictionary provides an in-depth look at queer language, from terms influenced by celebrated lesbian poet Sappho and from New York's underground queer ball culture in the 1980s to today's celebration of RuPaul's Drag Race. The glossary of terms is supported by full-color illustrations and photography throughout, as well as real-life usage examples for those who don't quite know how to use "kiki," "polysexual," or "transmasculine" in a sentence. A series of educational lessons highlight key people and events that shaped queer language; readers will learn the linguistic importance of pronouns, gender identity, Stonewall, the Harlem Renaissance, and more. For every queen in your life-the men, women, gender non-conforming femmes, butches, daddies, and zaddies-The Queens' English is at once an education and a celebration of queer history, identity, and the limitless imagination of the LGBTQIA+ community.Trade ReviewA fun, engaging and comprehensive guide... Every time I opened the book I learned something new, enjoying turning the pages of this celebration of queer theory -- Eric Page * Gscene *A must for better understanding queer culture, especially the contributions of Black and Latinx trans people to pop culture at large. * Library Journal Review *Chloe Davis's delightfully informative, succinct, helpful and playful dictionary of more than 800 LGBTQIA+ words and fabulous phrases is truly 'sickening' (defined within as 'astonishingly impressive'). * ShelfAwareness *

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Book SynopsisMAX WALKER - BLUE-EYED BOY OR GIRL NEXT DOOR?'Terrific. A poignant, brave and important book. - S J WATSON'A gripping read. Tarttelin is a natural storyteller' MATT HAIG'Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author' WE LOVE THIS BOOKTo the outside world, Max Walker is a golden boy: a loving son and brother, the perfect student, captain of the football team and every girl's dream boyfriend. But Max was born intersex - neither fully boy nor fully girl. Now something terrible has happened to him, the consequences of which have left him questioning his gender identity. Can the people around him - his girlfriend, his classmates, his ambitious parents - accept him for who he is? Or will Max's secret tear his world apart?Trade ReviewTerrific. A poignant, brave and important book. * S J WATSON, author of Before I Go to Sleep *A gripping read. [Tarttelin] is a natural storyteller. -- Matt Haig * METRO *A warmly human coming-of-age story... [Max's] desperate search for identity is gripping, emotionally engaging, and genuinely unforgettable, as, indeed, is this accomplished first novel. * BOOKLIST (USA) *a coming-of-age story worth seeking out from a young author widely tipped for great things * DIVA *I knew I was really into this when I missed my stop on the bus! It's about gold-star pupil, Max, and his MP dad, who have to deal with a hidden family secret surfacing. * COMPANY *If a book with literary ambition should both inform and entertain, as well as make you see the world in a different way, if only slightly, then Tarttelin has certainly achieved that. -- Peter Raynard * LITRO *An original read about a young person in an extraordinary situation... Unlike anything you will have read before... Brave, unique and utterly compelling. This is a book that will certainly make you think about life. * HEAT MAGAZINE *Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author, her fresh, modern approach and contemporary writing style result in an inimitably of-the-moment novel which is beautifully matter-of-fact, eloquently meditative and fearlessly action-packed, all at once. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *Golden Boy is an undeniably one of the most incredible books I have ever read...Such an important novel, one I wish everyone would read, one I feel should be read in schools. It's perfect, and I am so, so glad I've had the opportunity to read it. * www.onceuponabookcase.co.uk *An astonishingly good novel covering a rarely touched topic. * SO SO GAY *An original read about a young person in an extraordinary situation... Unlike anything you will have read before... Brave, unique and utterly compelling. This is a book that will certainly make you think about life. * HEAT MAGAZINE *Tarttelin broaches the topic of intersexuality bravely, describes the crimes committed against Max intensely, and evokes his ensuing emotions poignantly. A highly praised new author, her fresh, modern approach and contemporary writing style result in an inimitably of-the-moment novel which is beautifully matter-of-fact, eloquently meditative and fearlessly action-packed, all at once. * WE LOVE THIS BOOK *Golden Boy is an undeniably one of the most incredible books I have ever read...Such an important novel, one I wish everyone would read, one I feel should be read in schools. It's perfect, and I am so, so glad I've had the opportunity to read it. * www.onceuponabookcase.co.uk *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE POLARI BOOK PRIZE 2020'Staggeringly visionary' ATTITUDE'Essential reading' CHARLIE CRAGGS'Not to be missed' AMELIA ABRAHAM'An absolute gem' FOX FISHER'Beautiful' CHRISTINE BURNS'All those layers of expectation that are thrust upon us; boy, masculine, femme, transgender, sexual, woman, real, are such a weight to carry round. I feel transgressive. I feel hybrid. I feel trans.'In this radical and emotionally raw book, Juno Roche pushes the boundaries of trans representation by redefining 'trans' as an identity with its own power and strength, that goes beyond the gender binary.Through intimate conversations with leading and influential figures in the trans community, such as Kate Bornstein, Travis Alabanza, Josephine Jones, Glamrou and E-J Scott, this book highlights the diversity of trans identities and experiences with regard to love, bodies, sex, race and class, and urges trans people - and the world at large - to embrace a 'trans' identity as something that offers empowerment and autonomy.Powerfully written, and with humour and advice throughout, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of gender and how we identify ourselves.Trade ReviewAn inspiring, empowering book that is very real and staggeringly visionary. - Attitude * Attitude *In Trans Power, Juno Roche shows us the space we already have to be ourselves. Juno Roche's trans superpower is generosity - from the very first pages, I felt a deep sense of kinship, of being welcomed into an intimate conversation about what it can mean to be trans. Trans Power is a respite, a compendium of maps to the new place, a portal for seekers and makers of liberation. -- Andrea Lawlor, author of Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal GirlJuno's writing is brilliantly personal and honest and always funny. Here, as usual in her work, the thought and theory is led by feeling and is so much more powerful for it. Her interviewees are among the most important trans and nonbinary people in the world today. Trans power is not to be missed! -- Amelia Abraham, author of Queer Intentions: A (Personal) Journey Through LGBTQ+ CultureIn the beginning trans people described themselves in the terms coined by outside observers. The result was so often a fixed narrative about the quest to assimilate. In Juno's writing it feels as though trans has pupated and emerged, vibrant, beautiful in all our stunning diversity. -- Christine Burns MBE, author and retired trans equality advocateTrans Power really captures the diversity of the trans experience- essential reading for people who want to gain a better understanding of trans people or for trans people trying to better understand themselves. -- Charlie Craggs, activist and author of To My Trans SistersAn absolute gem. Juno weaves her own powerful words into the words of other inspiration trans people and the result is exactly the title: trans power. -- Fox Fisher, artist, film maker and trans campaignerTrans Power certainly lives up to its name: an empowering, bold and ground-breaking book that will embolden generations to come. Absolutely brilliant. -- Owl, writer, film maker and trans campaignerAnother decent read from this author who's been there, done it and wears the t-shirt. Refreshing and interesting warts-and-all tale. What this book left me with is that trans voices do need to be heard, and that trans people need to be seen. I think that the UK is a live-and-let-live country for the most, based on the London I know, but these narrative, as well as Stonewall, tell me that it's getting harder to be trans and out in the UK. This book will make you think, will enlighten you, and will make you want to do what you can in support. - NetGalley reviewer * NetGalley reviewer *Trans Power has a raw, unedited quality that makes you feel as if you're in the room for these discussions, and follows on from Queer Sex in Roche's search for answers around the author's own sense of sexual embodiment. Because of this framing, many of the conversations focus on genitals, sex, and the desirability of trans people in a very emotional and honest way, alongside critiques of the gender binary, patriarchy and structural barriers for trans people.At a time when trans people in the UK are so under attack politically, it felt really important that Trans Power provides the space for such nuanced conversations and the opportunity to hear from a diverse group of trans people in their own words. - NetGalley reviewer -- NetGalley reviewer * NetGalley reviewer *

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Book SynopsisLAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALIST'Essential reading' - THE INDEPENDENT'Vital and insightful' - OWL FISHERWhat does it mean to be non-binary in the 21st Century?Our gender identity is impacted by our personal histories; the cultures, communities and countries we are born into; and the places we go and the people we meet. But the representation of contemporary non-binary identities has been limited, until now.Pushing the narrative around non-binary identities further than ever before, this powerful collection of essays represents the breadth of non-binary lives, across the boundaries of race, class, age, sexuality, faith and more.Leading non-binary people share stories of their intersecting lives; how it feels to be non-binary and neurodiverse, the challenges of being a non-binary pregnant person, what it means to be non-binary within the Quaker community, the joy of reaching gender euphoria.This thought-provoking anthology shows that there is no right or wrong way to be non-binary.Trade ReviewIn a world that at large still doesn't recognise non-binary gender identities, a book like this is incredibly vital and insightful. An important part of moving the conversation forward. -- Owl, film maker, writer and campaignerA powerful collection that will bolster generations to come, and help educate the masses about the diversity of gender identity. -- Fox Fisher, film maker, artist and campaignerAt the heart of this book is the recognition of multiple factors which intersect with gender to shape experiences of being non-binary. It is these personal and nuanced perspectives which make this book so significant. Each and every chapter shares a narrative which is alive with idiosyncratic personality. -- Dr Katherine Hubbard, Lecturer, University of Surrey * The Psychologist *This beautifully curated collection of essays is a welcome tonic in a cultural climate that seems hellbent on misunderstanding and misrepresenting those who do not fall into gender binaries. Some writing on gender can often be inaccessible and academic, so it was a pleasure to read a collection of essays that were highly personal, thoughtful and immensely insightful. From "gender euphoria" to "radical softness", working through each contribution felt like having an illuminating conversation with the most informed and thoughtful person you know.Essential reading for anyone wishing to learn more about the wonderful diversity of humans. -- Joanna Whitehead * The Independent *

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Book Synopsis'A joy to read' JEFFREY MARSH'I'm so happy this book exists' FREDDY MCCONNELL'Full of wit, fun and wisdom!' ALEX IANTAFFI'Oh hello darling, and welcome to The Book of Non-Binary Joy! This book is here to help you be yourself - free from judgement and expectation - as you unlock more joy in your life. Take my hand, and let's start your journey of self-love today.'Whether you are at the start of your journey or have been on the wild ride of gender introspection for a long time, this guide is here to help you thrive as your authentic - and most fabulous - non-binary self. With personal stories, valuable insights and interactive sections, this inspiring book covers a wide range of topics, including mental health, pleasure, fashion, understanding your past, allyship privilege and self-expression.Written with warmth and unapologetic humour, and with bold illustrations throughout, Ben Pechey has created the ultimate safe space for you to embrace your non-binary life and start living.Trade ReviewThis book is a joy to read! The Book of Non-Binary Joy is in perfect balance: direct, kind and deeply respectful explorations of what it means to be human, mixed with encouraging and purely prideful happiness. Beautifully illustrated and brilliantly witty, this is the book to help everyone expand their gender-delight. -- Jeffrey Marsh, bestselling author of How To Be YouThe Book of Non-Binary Joy is full of wit, kind advice, encouragement, fun and wisdom! Let Ben take you by the hand for this fabulous ride into the expansiveness of our genders and communities, you will not regret it. -- Alex Iantaffi, author of Gender Trauma, How to Understand Your Gender, and Life Isn't BinaryI'm so happy this book exists. As a trans man, it's a genuinely useful resource and as a trans person, it's a breath of fresh air for the focus to be on our ample, multi-faceted joy instead of simply the pain we experience at the hands of cis society. -- Freddy McConnell, writer and journalistThe Book of Non-Binary Joy is just that. JOY. Every page is packed full of love, acceptance, encouragement and more. Ben's wit, charm and warmth leap off the page like a big friendly hug. I know this book will help LGBTQIA+ people on their gender journey and discovery. Thank you Ben, from one of them. -- Dom&InkThis book speaks directly to the non-binary reader, because lets face it there aren't many that do, but rest-assured it is for everyone. To read, to learn, to understand better another persons perspective is incredibly powerful. This book debunks common misconceptions and gives insightful and useful information that we all need. They discuss trauma and the wider context of living in a world that often doesn't support or accept you with a beautifully delicate, light hand - giving the reader a real sense of pride and joy that is often neglected when talking about these issues. -- Natalie Lee (Style Me Sunday)Honest, incisive and responsive writing. A commanding and nuanced conversation of representation, allyship and identity... a book I wished I'd had in my twenties. -- Jules Von Hep, Entrepreneur and PhilanthropistAs someone who has, within the last year or so, started that journey into my gender identity and everything that surrounds it, I loved this book. It was reassuring and helpful while refraining from simply telling you everything will be okay. It's great for those like me who have already been on their journey and want the reassurance that they're "doing it right". The author's voice really shines through with a pervasive sense of style that I enjoyed. -- NetGalley ReviewerThis collection of insights provides a really wonderful overview of what it means to be non-binary, as a non-binary person myself I felt the love pouring out from the author and their words brought me so much joy. -- NetGalley ReviewerThis book is a glorious and necessary look at finding liberation and happiness in who you are. -- Rachel Thompson * Mashable *Table of ContentsContents Introduction How to read this Book Chapter One - Who are You?Chapter Two - The Obsession with GenderChapter Three - Understanding your PastChapter Four - We're an Unfinished Novel Chapter Five - What's your Pleasure?Chapter Six - Self-AwarenessChapter Seven - You Are Privileged Chapter Eight - Let's Talk About Fashion Chapter Nine - Self-Expression Chapter Ten - Connections and Allyship Chapter Eleven - Social MediaChapter Twelve - The Gift of TimeChapter Thirteen - DistractionsChapter Fourteen - Useful ResourcesConclusion Puzzle and Question Solutions

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Book SynopsisThe ebook edition of this title is Open Access, thanks to Knowledge Unlatched funding, and freely available to read online. How do we prepare for the penultimate stage of life? This is a crucial question now facing the ageing post-war generation. Examining research participants’ use of wills, guardianship, medical attorney and beneficiaries, as well as their funeral plans and how they envisage the physical end of life, Peter Robinson’s new book provides a practical contribution for anyone considering how to prepare for their end of life, including those from LGBTQ+ communities. Drawing on theory where appropriate, Robinson focuses on the practicalities of end-of-life preparation as revealed through a variety of personal experiences. With its universal application and international scope, How Gay Men Prepare for Death: The Dying Business supports the work of carers, charities and policymakers, and benefits readers from all backgrounds, as well as those from LGBTQ+ communities.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1. Affective and Intimate Lives Chapter 2. Wills and Beneficiary Decisions Chapter 3. Managing Physical and Mental End of Life Chapter 4. Euthanasia and Afterlife Beliefs Chapter 5. Funeral Plans Conclusion

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Book SynopsisThis accessible guide covers the range of gender confirmation surgeries available for all trans and non-binary people, including breast augmentation, chest reconstruction, vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, metoidioplasty, vocal surgery and facial feminisation.With personal stories and illustrations throughout, this comprehensive resource will help you understand the full range of surgical options available. The guide offers an overview of the whole process, with information and advice about each procedure, including planning and recovery, sexual health and fertility, and insight into what to expect in the years following an operation.This is essential reading for any trans or non-binary people considering gender confirmation surgery and will help you make the decision that's right for you.Trade ReviewEngaging, Accessible, and In-Depth - This all-encompassing guide offers invaluable insights for anyone seeking to understand the variety of trans-affirming surgeries on the market today. Presented in a straightforward manner, the book steers clear of complex medical terminology, making it a breeze to grasp.I can't help but wish that this fantastic resource had been around when I first embarked on my own surgical journey. The comforting and enlightening nature of this book makes it a must-read for everyone, regardless of their gender identity. By delving into the nuances of the trans experience, which is truly unique to each person, this book fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diverse journeys people undertake. -- Fox Fisher, trans author and activist

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Book Synopsis'Transition has not been something linear for me, my joy has come in seasons.'Now, more than ever, trans people deserve to hear stories of joy and hope, where being trans doesn't have to be defined by fear and dysphoria, but can be experienced through courage, freedom, and the love and acceptance of their chosen families.Through a series of uplifting, generous and beautifully crafted vignettes, T. C. Oakes-Monger gently leads you through the cycle of the seasons - beginning in Autumn and the shedding of leaves and identity, moving through the darkness of Winter, its cold days, and the reality of daily life, into Spring, newness, and change, and ending with the joy of long Summer days and being out and proud - and invites you to find similar moments of joy in your life.Celebratory and empowering, these stories are a reminder of the power joy can bring.Trade ReviewWhat we desperately need and deserve - more trans joy -- Charlie Craggs, author of To My Trans SistersTo feel valid and seen in this world is a huge thing - one that many in the trans community never receive - but this book does that for so many people. Tash Oakes-Monger has beautifully weaved their lived experience throughout this book, combining it with a poignant reminder to look for joy, creating something everyone can read and benefit from. -- Ben Pechey, author of The Book of Non-Binary JoyFrom surviving, to thriving, this uplifting gem of a book shares powerful stories detailing childhood clues and trans joy. Every trans experience is different and yet there is still a thread we can connect with in every individual story. Powerful, Insightful and Captivating. -- Fox Fisher, Artist, Author & Film-makerA beautiful set of interpretations of who we are and what we are capable of becoming. A must read. -- Juno Roche, author of Trans Power and Queer SexA beautiful memoir about the power and magic of trans joy * DIVA Magazine *

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Book SynopsisWhat does it mean to be ace or aro?How should I approach the challenges that come with being ace or aro?How can I best support the ace and aro people in my life?Join the The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project (TAAAP) for a deep dive into the process of discovering and embracing your ace and aro identities. Empower yourself to explore the nuances of your identity, find and develop support networks, explore different kinds of partnership, come out to your communities and find real joy within. Combining a rigorous exploration of identity and sexuality models with hundreds of candid and poignant testimonials - this companion vouches for your personal truth, wherever you lie on the aspec spectrum. You are not invisible! You are among friends.Trade ReviewThis book is a much-needed resource! Ace/aro individuals have unique identity development processes and often struggle with integrating their identities. Many of my clients would have benefited from this resource, and I am confident that future individuals will benefit from the quotes and information provided in this book. Research indicates that common language and a sense of community are two of the most critical factors for ace/aro individuals' well-being; this book can help facilitate both! -- Jared Boot, MA, MBA, CSTInclusive and emotionally resonant, Ace and Aro Journeys offers an authentic look at asexual and aromantic identity from every imaginable angle. It's written by people who have lived these specific trials and triumphs, with relatable examples and quotes from diverse ace- and aro-spectrum people, dispensing wisdom regarding processing negativity as well as celebrating ace/aro joy. Aces and aros will see their identities thoroughly explored and validated beyond the usual token statement of "this exists," while those who want to learn about us will learn how to conceptualize us as we are, not as people with something missing. -- Julie Sondra Decker, author of The Invisible OrientationA valuable resource for anyone curious about asexuality and aromanticism, anyone wondering whether they might be ace or aro, or anyone wanting to support an ace or aro friend or family member. This book provides clear and helpful practical advice for coming out and connecting to a larger community, as well as recognition of the particular struggles ace and aro people face, with insights into the history, culture, and vocabulary of these orientations. This is also a book to get you started thinking about larger philosophical questions regarding the nature of orientation, desire, attraction, and sexual identity. I highly recommend for anyone questioning their orientation or wanting to be an ally. -- Elizabeth Brake, Professor of Philosophy, Rice University, author of Minimizing MarriageTable of Contents0. Introduction1. Basics2. Community History and Culture3. Introduction to Identity Development Model4. Part One - Ignorance5. Part Two - Discovery of Terminology6. Part Three - Identity Confusion7. Part Four - Exploration and Education8. Part Five - Identity Acceptance and Salience Negotiation9. Part Six - Coming Out10. Part Seven - Identity Integration11. Conclusion12. Glossary

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Book SynopsisOur life contains several lives as well as several deaths; we attempt to understand these little rebirths through poetry.  decompose explores pruning our past to make room for future growth; the expanse we are offered through the crush of heartbreak, discovering family beyond our original home, finding new meaning in our own name - S. Fey picks these timeless themes like roses from a flourishing garden to compose a thorny and succulent bouquet of living, loss, and rebirth throughout the rejuvenating pages of their debut poetry collection.

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Book SynopsisHow the “bad feelings” of trans experience inform trans survival and flourishing Some days—or weeks, or months, or even years—being trans feels bad. Yet as Hil Malatino points out, there is little space for trans people to think through, let alone speak of, these bad feelings. Negative emotions are suspect because they unsettle narratives of acceptance or reinforce virulently phobic framings of trans as inauthentic and threatening. In Side Affects, Malatino opens a new conversation about trans experience that acknowledges the reality of feeling fatigue, envy, burnout, numbness, and rage amid the ongoing onslaught of casual and structural transphobia in order to map the intricate emotional terrain of trans survival. Trans structures of feeling are frequently coded as negative on both sides of transition. Before transition, narratives are framed in terms of childhood trauma and being in the “wrong body.” Posttransition, trans individuals—especially trans people of color—are subject to unrelenting transantagonism. Yet trans individuals are discouraged from displaying or admitting to despondency or despair. By moving these unloved feelings to the center of trans experience, Side Affects proposes an affective trans commons that exists outside political debates about inclusion. Acknowledging such powerful and elided feelings as anger and exhaustion, Malatino contends, is critical to motivating justice-oriented advocacy and organizing—and recalibrating new possibilities for survival and well-being.Trade Review "Hil Malatino has become an indispensable thinker when it comes to trans scholarship, somehow able to put into words not just ideas but feelings that I had previously found ineffable and unspeakable, a talent that is familiar to me from the very best of literature."—Torrey Peters, author of Detransition, Baby "Down with the narrative tyranny of gender dysphoria and euphoria! Side Affects dares invoke a trans right to feel bad, not as antidote to normativity but as a portal to the complex feelings of transition that have been buried by medicalization, activist urgency, and the collateral damage of transphobia. Hil Malatino delivers a powerful trans reckoning for feminist, queer, and affect studies."—Jules Gill-Peterson, author of Histories of the Transgender Child "Overall, it’s an amazingly informative publication that I’m certain will enlighten many people in academia, trans, or otherwise."—neowitcher reads "Side Affects: On Being Trans and Feeling Bad, rejects the sanitized narratives of the moral and intellectual purity of transness meant to please the cis gaze. Instead, it delves into a conversation around the trans experience that acknowledges the reality of feeling, fatigue, envy, burnout, numbness, and rage amid the ongoing onslaught of casual and structural transphobia as a way to map the emotional terrain of trans survival."—Shondaland "The book provides an insider's view of the bleaker and more frustrating aspects of transition, too often downplayed since transgender people were forcibly enlisted as combatants in the so-called culture wars."—Boston Review "Malatino’s argument is firmly grounded in current trans, queer, and feminist theory, while it invokes the methods of poststructural critique and phenomenological interrogation."—CHOICE "Reading Hil Malatino’s Side Affects: On Being Trans and Feeling Bad offered me permission to see my life and the terror of this current political moment with more honesty."—X-Tra

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Book SynopsisA groundbreaking twentieth-century history of transgender children With transgender rights front and center in American politics, media, and culture, the pervasive myth still exists that today’s transgender children are a brand new generation—pioneers in a field of new obstacles and hurdles. Histories of the Transgender Child shatters this myth, uncovering a previously unknown twentieth-century history when transgender children not only existed but preexisted the term transgender and its predecessors, playing a central role in the medicalization of trans people, and all sex and gender.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.Until now, little has been known about early transgender history and life and its relevance to children. Using a wealth of archival research from hospitals and clinics, including incredible personal letters from children to doctors, as well as scientific and medical literature, this book reaches back to the first half of the twentieth century—a time when the category transgender was not available but surely existed, in the lives of children and parents.Trade Review"Histories of the Transgender Child is a tour de force contribution to transgender studies, tracing little-noticed pathways from the past toward convergences that increasingly take center stage in the next field. An elegant combination of sophisticated theorization with equally sophisticated attention to archival and historical materials, this is one of the best books in trans studies in recent years."—Susan Stryker, University of Arizona"Jules Gill-Peterson excavates the history of medicine, introducing readers to a century’s worth of gender nonconforming youth. This remarkable book is not merely a backward glance; it offers an urgent call to reimagine trans as a form of self-knowledge children can hold and for an ethics of care that focuses on affirmation."—Tey Meadow, author of Trans Kids"Meticulously researched and compellingly argued, this book is a welcome addition to a number of fields, including trans of color critique, childhood studies, and queer and trans history."—C. Riley Snorton, author of Black on Both Sides"This work fills a gap in queer history; older trans, intersex, and nonbinary people who work through the dense, theoretical prose may find their experiences reflected in Gill-Peterson’s history, and younger ones may discover that their “uncovering of a century of untold stories” provides a tether to an underexplored legacy."—Publishers Weekly "You have to start somewhere. Indeed, few things begin in a vacuum: you need an idea, then experiments and practice to create a masterpiece. Nothing magically just appears. And in the new book “Histories of the Transgender Child” by Jules Gill-Peterson,you’ll see that that’s true, too, about knowledge and change." —South Florida Gay News "For children’s literature scholars who work on gender and sexuality, this book is essential reading for its insights that transgender children are not new and that binary sex and gender are extremely recent and fragile ideas reliant on a dehumanizing, racially coded conceptualization of the child as plasticity." —The Lion and the UnicornTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction: Toward a Trans-of-Color Critique of Medicine1. The Racial Plasticity of Gender and the Child2. Before Transsexuality: The Transgender Child from the 1900s to the 1930s3. Sex in Crisis: Intersex Children in the 1950s and the Invention of Gender4. From Johns Hopkins to the Midwest: Transgender Childhood in the 1960s5. Transgender Boyhood, Race, and Puberty in the 1970sConclusion: How to Bring Your Kids Up TransAcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsNotesIndex

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Book Synopsis"These sentences—they—will begin having already been sentences somewhere else, and this will mark their afterlife, and this will be their debut." So begins Renee Gladman's latest interdisciplinary project, Plans for Sentences. A tour de force of dizzying brilliance, Gladman's book blurs the distinctions between text and image, recognizing that drawing can be a form of writing, and vice versa: a generative act in which the two practices not only inform each other but propel each other into futures. In this radical way, drawing and writing become part of a limitless loop of energy, unearthing fertile possibilities for the ways we think about poetry. If Gladman ascribes to any particular type of poetics, here in Plans for Sentences, we are sure to find that it is robustly grounded in a poetics of infinite language.

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Book SynopsisSometimes it is difficult to identify and express our genuine gender identity. When we don't fit the ideal, the gender role, or the social script, we can feel trapped in ourselves. This "stuck" feeling is often reinforced by intrusive thoughts, mental rigidity, and self-judgement. Where do you even begin?Non-binary counselor, Alex Stitt, lays the foundations for addressing these feelings with reflective exercises and activities rooted in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) that help you understand what gender is, the spectrum of different gender identities, how to identify and accept your gender, coming out, self-actualization and much more.This interactive and humanizing workbook will help you identify your values so you can accept and embody what's most important to you in your gender exploration.Trade ReviewAccepting Gender is an amazing follow-up to ACT for Gender Identity, providing clear, grounded, and practical exercises for anyone exploring their gender identity, expression, or embodiment in the world. -- Matthew D. Skinta, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Roosevelt University, author of Contextual Behavior Therapy for Sexual and Gender Minority ClientsLife is a journey that asks you "Will I take me as I am?" This kind and gentle volume explores your ideas about gender while cultivating a posture of openness and curiosity about what it's like to be you. Well-written, sure-footed, and knowledgeable, it never encourages easy or quick answers at the expense of deeper questions. Instead, it validates and affirms the experiences of gender-explorative and gender-diverse people in a self-reflective and naturally nuanced and layered way. Based on the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy skills of psychological flexibility, it walks beside you as a kind of skilled and trusted mental tour guide, suggesting one creative exercise in self-exploration after another. And if you choose to disclose and act on what you learn, this book will keep walking with you through that part of the journey as well. I love this book. This is the place to start. -- Steven C. Hayes, PhD, Foundation Professor of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno Originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and author of A Liberated Mind

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Book SynopsisAda Nicolle created a crossword blog several years ago called Luckystreak Xwords, as well as a Patreon, both of which feature themeless puzzles focusing primarily on modern trends and Gen Z culture. She writes, I like to represent people that don't often get the spotlight in mainstream crossword puzzles, and I figure crosswords are more fun when they feel like they were written by a person living in the present moment. This collection will consist of 72 crosswords imbued with Ada's singular personality and humor, compiled from the best of her blog, plus 30 brand-new puzzles written especially for this book.

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Book SynopsisAn illuminating portrait of young LGBTQ people in China, the latest addition to the acclaimed photobook series celebrating LGBTQ communities around the world Same-sex relationships have been an accepted part of Chinese culture for centuries. It was only in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, under the influence of the West, that homophobia became more prevalent; and under Mao, homosexuality was criminalized. By the turn of the last millennium, same-sex relationships were once again legal, and by 2001, homosexuality had been declassified as a mental disorder. Polling suggests that the younger generation embraces sexual diversity and LGBTQ rights. But the stigma against queer people still remains. Recent reports from China have noted government attempts to clamp down on LGBTQ media and events, and numerous citizens are still being sent by family members to conversion therapy. Photographer Sarah Mei Herman first started photographing young queer people and their personal relationships during an artist residency in Xiamen in Fujian Province on China’s southeastern coast. As she explored what drew these people together, she herself built up close friendships with her subjects and, even after her residency had ended, returned to Xiamen to photograph them, capturing the way they have changed over the course of a number of years. The sixteenth entry in The New Press’s worldwide LGBTQ photobook series, Solace is a stunning collection of full-color photos in a beautiful, affordable volume. It provides a portrait of young people navigating the ambiguities of friendship and sexuality as they enter adulthood and grapple with what it means to be queer in modern-day China. Solace was designed by Emerson, Wajdowicz Studios (EWS).Trade ReviewPraise for Solace:“Solace brings to light people who live too often hidden from our view. Her photography allows us to open up to them and allows them to open up to us.”—Nathalie Herschdorfer, director of Photo Elysée

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Book SynopsisA pathbreaking genealogy of queer theory that traces its roots to an unexpected source: sociological research on marginal communities in the era before Stonewall.Trade Review“What might we learn about queer studies by exploring its intellectual debts to midcentury social scientists’ interest in underdogs, underworlds, and the dynamics of stigma? Heather Love’s provocative and defamiliarizing analysis asks us to see queer studies—its limitations and its transformational possibilities—anew. A critical intellectual history, teeming with ideas and unlikely engagements.” * Regina Kunzel, Yale University *“Underdogs is a well-crafted, subtle, and beautifully written foray into the worlds of mid-twentieth century social science by a humanities scholar who uncovers, in the fine details of descriptive empirical research, the largely unrecognized precursors of today’s queer studies. With keen focus, Love reveals new possibilities for scholarly, ethical, and political commitments to the defense of outcasts and outsiders. Love makes an impassioned claim that humanists and social scientists need one another—and need to set aside the tenacious methodological dogmas that keep them apart.” * Steven Epstein, Northwestern University *“Underdogs clarifies how the social science of deviance, like the queer theory that superseded it, depended on the figure of the outsider. Love asks queer theory to take social science methodologies, especially ‘underdog methods,’ seriously. At their best, these methods promise to keep queer theory open to surprise and alert to the potentialities of everyday life.” * Elizabeth Freeman, University of California, Davis *"Heather Love’s Underdogs: Social Deviance and Queer Theory (University of Chicago Press) is an intervention into the field of queer studies. But it is also an important work of intellectual history, tracing a surprising new genealogy that locates the origins of 1990s ‘queer theory’ not in literary studies, but in mid-20th-century empirical social research. It will appeal to readers invested in the nascent effort to historicise queer studies, but also to those interested in the history of the social sciences." * History Today *"Underdogs seeks to rethink Queer Theory's ideological contributions through an excavation of the field's unacknowledged predecessors in the postwar social sciences. . . . [Love's] lucid prose and well-grounded interpretations make Underdogs a book that should interest readers who are immersed in Queer Theory and those who are not at all." * Gay & Lesbian Review *"Underdogs presents a thorough argument for queer theorists to understand the way their problematic forebearers have left indelible marks on the field. . . . Underdogs presents a careful, close reading of deviance studies, and invites theorists and scholars to reconsider their intellectual heritage." * LSE Review of Books *"This book concisely addresses the modern queer movement as Love challenges readers to critically consider that holding on to what is most valuable in queer critique may mean letting go of what is not... Highly recommended." * Choice *"This book has important implications for social work and social work education." * Affilia: Feminist Inquiry in Social Work *"Underdogs is a meticulously researched study of postwar social scientific writing and its founding influence on queer studies. Its focus on method provides a potentially productive way to bring questions of politics and ethics back into a field that has lost much of its social and theoretical momentum since the late 1990s. Moreover, the sustained critique of the liberal humanist claim to integral subjectivity forms a timely intervention at the current moment, when younger generations increasingly appear invested in the type of sexual and gender identitarianism that both postwar social science and queer theory, in however diverging ways, have so persistently been trying to overhaul. For this reason alone, Underdogs is a powerful and important achievement." * American Literary History Online *"Underdogs offers a thoughtful and clear analysis. . . a first step in recognizing and untangling queer ideals for a more complete intellectual history on queer thought." * American Journal of Sociology *Table of ContentsPreface Introduction: Beginning with Stigma 1 The Stigma Archive 2 Just Watching 3 A Sociological Periplum 4 Doing Being Deviant Afterword: The Politics of Stigma Acknowledgments Notes Index

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Book SynopsisReal talk about transgender experiences from Gigi Gorgeous and GottmikIn this fabulous, fashion-forward guide, transgender icons Gigi Gorgeous and Gottmik discuss the ins and outs of being transgender with their honest, hilarious, and GORGEOUS tales of what it means to be true to oneself-and they''ve picked up a few friends along the way.Whether you''re embarking on your own transgender journey or seeking the knowledge to be the best ally you can be, there is something to be learned from every story they tell.Join the conversation with Gigi and Gottmik as they get real with discussions on:-the gender and sexuality spectrums-the experience of coming out-navigating gendered public restrooms-parenting transgender children-the concepts of physical and internal transitions-tips and tricks for more masculine or feminine features-cosmetic and confirmation surgeryThe T Guide also includes anecdotes and adv

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Book SynopsisA parent’s deeply moving love letter to a daughter who has always known exactly who she is.‘Stunning . . . Built like a thriller, moving, wise and illuminated on every page with love’ - Joanne Harris, author of ChocolatWhen Carolyn Hays’s child made clear to the family that they were all wrong, he was not a boy, but, in fact, a girl, the Hays shifted pronouns, adopted a nickname and encouraged her to dress as she felt comfortable.One ordinary day, a caseworker from the Department of Children and Families knocked on their door to investigate an anonymous complaint about the upbringing of their transgender child. It was this threat that instilled in them a deep-seated fear for their child’s safety in the Republican state they called home. And so they uprooted their lives to the more trans-accepting Northeast United States, though they were never far from the hate and fear resting at the nation’s core.Intimate and thought-provoking, A Letter to My Transgender Daughter is an ode to Hays’s brilliant, brave child, as well as a cathartic revisit of the pain of the past. It tells of the brutal truths of being trans, of the sacrificial nature of motherhood, and of the lengths a family will go to shield their youngest from the cruel realities of the world. Hays asks us all to love better, for children everywhere enduring injustice and prejudice just as they begin to understand themselves.A Letter to My Transgender Daughter is a celebration of difference, a plea for empathy, a hope for a better future, but moreover, it is a love letter to a child who has always known herself and is waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.Originally published as A Girlhood: A Letter to My Transgender DaughterTrade ReviewStunning . . . Built like a thriller, moving, wise and illuminated on every page with love' -- Joanne Harris, author of ChocolatHays’s story is about more than the transgender question: it’s about ignorance and wisdom; hatred and love; men, women, and children. In the end, [A Letter to My Transgender Daughter] is about all of us. -- Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of She’s Not There and Good BoyIt’s impossible to read this book and not root for the fierce, human, beautiful family at its center and the daughter that they - ‘like tanks’ - protect against those who try to steal her joy. -- Beth Ann Fennelly, author of Great with Child: Letters to a Young Mother'I saw facets of my own trans identity I’d never pondered, questions about the construction of self I’d never even thought to pose . . . An act of epic compassion. -- Diana Goetsch, author of This Body I WoreTouching, combative, compelling . . . this memoir begins with the suspense of a thriller and ends with hope * Vogue (Italy) *An important and moving book, which traverses family bonds, change, courage, politics, rights, faith and reason . . . dictated by a love that will not accept compromises. * La Repubblica *An incredibly poignant and timely story for trans families everywhere. I wish my parents had access to these words, stories, and beautiful thoughts while raising me -- Tommy Dorfman

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Book SynopsisAbby Chava Stein was raised in a Hasidic Jewish community in Brooklyn, profoundly isolated in a culture that lives according to the laws and practices of an eighteenth-century Eastern European enclave, speaking only Yiddish and Hebrew and shunning modern life. Stein was born as the first son in a rabbinical dynastic family, poised to become a leader of the next generation of Hasidic Jews. But Stein felt certain at a young age that she was a girl. Without access to TV or the internet and never taught English, she suppressed her desire for a new body while looking for answers wherever she could find them, from forbidden religious texts to smuggled secular examinations of faith. Finally, she orchestrated a personal exodus from ultra-Orthodox manhood into mainstream femininity-a radical choice that forced her to leave her home, her family and her way of life.

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Book SynopsisConsider the Rooster serves as an ode to a rooster’s crow, a catalyst for awakening, both literally and figuratively. Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder by police, and the resulting upsurge in reactionary right-wing militia violence, a neighbor in Kalamazoo, Michigan threatens to call the police after discovering the author’s pet rooster. The rooster sounds the alarm and our author wakes to revolutionary transformation. An ecological consciousness embedded in these verses invites readers to acknowledge their place in a web of relations. Oliver Baez Bendorf’s voice resounds through liminal spaces, at dusk and dawn, across personal meditations and wider cultural awakenings to form a collection overflowing with freedom, rebellion, mischief, and song.

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Book SynopsisWhen Zero, the hero of our story, stumbles upon a mysterious manuscript, they're thrown into a journey across centuries, continents, and concepts. They travel throughout the Muslim world, from Sumeria to India to Baghdad. They learn about Europe as other and outside. They're guided by the cryptic mirror the manuscript provides as it traces a history of the number zero.A Jamali Rad's No Signal No Noise is a playful poetic hybrid, sitting somewhere between philosophical treatise and experimental novel. It is the first installment in The Self-Inscribing Machine series, a speculative history of the binary and its prototypes, that traces concepts of Self and Other as well as the mathematical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of the machines that drive the contradictions of capital.

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Book Synopsis'A superhero like none you've seen before. Thrilling' IAN RANKIN*A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR*A delightfully witty and exciting graphic novel by one of Britain's favourite artistsDragman tells the story of August Crimp, a man who has superpowers when he puts on women's clothes. August loves wearing a dress but is deeply ashamed of his compulsion and terrified of rejection should it ever come out. So he tells no one. Not even his wife. But then one day a little girl falls from the rooftop cafe at the Art Museum and August has no choice but to fly and save her - an event witnessed by hundreds of people. And August Crimp's life is never the same again.Dragman is Steven Appleby's first long-form graphic thriller. Inspired by the superhero comics he read as a child and informed by his own secret life as a transvestite, Steven Appleby has created a multi-layered, tightly plotted, cleverly structured novel with a compulsive forward drive in which August battles greed, evil and his own self-doubt in a fight to save himself, his marriage - and the human soul. A real page-turner, Dragman brims with humanity, subtlety and wit - plus plenty of Steven Appleby's oblique and absurdly imaginative musings on 'what is life really all about?'Fans of Steven Appleby's unmistakable drawing style, as seen in his many books and in comic strips such as Captain Star (NME, Observer), Small Birds Singing (The Times), and Loomus (Guardian), will not be disappointed.Trade ReviewGreat graphic novel this. A superhero like none you've seen before. Thrilling but also packs an emotional punch. -- Ian RankinFans of Steven Appleby’s brilliant cartoons know already of their unique energy… All the same, his first long-form graphic novel, Dragman, will surely bring him massed armies of new admirers. Funny, sweet and emotionally true, it doesn’t so much tip toe on to fraught cultural territory as dance wildly across it. In this sense, at least, it has the added virtue of being at once both wildly transgressive and powerfully reassuring… Appleby has torn up all the rules, and not only those that dictate, at this point in the 21st century, that a person’s identity must be clearly labelled, pinned down like some dead butterfly… It’s all marvellous fun. -- Rachel Cooke * Observer *Graphic Novel of the Month* *One of the many pleasures of Steven Appleby’s debut graphic novel Dragman is the way it finds a way to refresh the superhero narrative; to use it to discuss masculinity and, in particular, transvestism... Appleby is a cartoonist who is both a capable storyteller and has funny bones… A welcome addition to editorial cartooning in the UK. -- Teddy Jamieson * Herald Scotland *Both a lively romp and a touching book about coming to terms with yourself, with juicy villains and a funny, likable supporting cast. -- James Smart * Guardian *Books of the Year* *Super heroes don't come more super than Steven Appleby's transvestite hero, Dragman. Also known as Dolly Marie, Dragman's struggle against evil Black Mist is apocalyptic, neurotic, tender and very funny – and brilliantly drawn in Appleby's nimble, nubbly line. * Posy Simmonds *

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