Books & Audiobooks
The International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), celebrated worldwide annually on March 31, is a day of recognition dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and victories of transgender and gender-expansive people, while simultaneously raising awareness of the work that is still needed to combat discrimination and violence.
TDOV was founded in 2009 by US-based transgender activist Rachel Crandall, a licensed psychotherapist and the Executive Director of Transgender Michigan, both in reaction to the lack of LGBTQ+ days of recognition for the successes achieved by trans people, as well as the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day of recognition was the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR).
To celebrate the day, we’ve highlighted some books that bring awareness and understanding of transness and trans experiences.
A Kids Book About Being Transgender
by Gia Parr
This book is a wonderful introduction for those who want to explore what it means to be transgender, and start discussions about trans identities with kids aged 5-9. The book illuminates the unique beauty of gender expression and how each person’s experience is individual to them. It helps teach children that our differences make us unique and they should be celebrated.
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Some Strange Music Draws Me In
by Griffin Hansbury
Some Strange Music Draws Me In alternates between two timelines: in 1984, Mel, a teenager in Swaffham, Massachusetts, encounters Sylvia, a confident trans woman whose presence challenges the town’s norms and ignites Mel’s own self-discovery. Decades later, in 2019, Mel, now Max, returns to Swaffham after facing professional turmoil related to trans identity issues, confronting past conflicts and family dynamics.
Exploring themes of identity, intolerance, and personal growth, Hansbury’s narrative offers a nuanced portrayal of a trans person’s journey, capturing the complexities of self-realization amid societal prejudice. By depicting both the protagonist’s formative years and adult experiences, the novel illustrates the enduring challenges and evolutions within the trans community over time. This dual perspective provides readers with a deeper understanding of the internal and external struggles faced by trans folks.
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Transitions: A Mother’s Journey
by Élodie Durand
This graphic novel depicts university biologist Anne Marbot’s emotional journey after her 19-year-old child, assigned female at birth, comes out as a transgender man named Alex. Initially overwhelmed and struggling to reconcile this revelation with her understanding of gender, Anne embarks on a path toward acceptance and support for her son’s true identity. The narrative delves into their evolving relationship, highlighting both Anne’s internal transformation and Alex’s pursuit of authenticity.
The novel illustrates the complexities parents may face in understanding and embracing their child’s gender identity. Durand’s storytelling fosters empathy and awareness, serving as a compassionate resource for allies and families navigating similar experiences.
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Free to Be: Understanding Kids & Gender Identity
by Jack Turban
This book is important for its empathetic portrayal of transgender youths’ experiences, offering readers insight into their challenges and triumphs. This authoritative guide delves into the science, medicine, and politics surrounding gender identity in youth.
The book follows the experiences of three transgender and gender-diverse youths—Meredith, Kyle, and Sam—as they navigate their identities, make decisions about gender-affirming care, and confront societal challenges. Through these narratives, Turban combines personal stories with the latest scientific research to provide a comprehensive understanding of gender diversity.
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Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story
by Nicole Maines
Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story is a graphic novel that explores the origin of Nia Nal, a transgender teenager of Naltorian descent. Believing her older sister Maeve would inherit their mother’s precognitive abilities, Nia is surprised when she manifests these powers herself after an accident. As she grapples with her newfound abilities and her sister’s resentment, Nia embarks on a journey of self-discovery, embracing her identity as Dreamer.
The narrative offers a valuable depiction of a trans person’s story by focusing on Nia’s experiences beyond her gender identity, portraying her as a multifaceted character dealing with family dynamics, cultural heritage, and the responsibilities of her powers. By integrating themes of acceptance, identity, and empowerment, the novel provides readers with an authentic and inspiring perspective on the complexities faced by transgender individuals.
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The Ribbon Skirt
by Cameron Mukwa
The Ribbon Skirt follows ten-year-old Anang, a two-spirit and nonbinary Anishinaabe child, who aspires to create and wear a ribbon skirt—a garment traditionally worn by girls in Anishinaabe culture—for an upcoming powwow. Despite uncertainty about how others might perceive them, Anang embarks on a journey to gather materials for the skirt, seeking guidance from family, animal friends, and nature. Through this process, Anang discovers inner confidence and embraces their authentic self.
The Ribbon Skirt is a powerful and heartfelt story that uplifts two-spirit and nonbinary identities and reinforces themes of self-acceptance, resilience, and community support. As the story follows a young protagonist who embraces their identity with the support of loved ones, it is an affirming and inspiring narrative for transgender and gender-diverse youth.
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