Transgender Life

As transgender issues have been gaining more attention in recent years, many states, organizations, and schools have altered non-discrimination laws and regulations to explicitly include transgender rights. Unfortunately, much progress needs to be made to fully grant transgender citizens all the rights and protections they deserve. This title examines the rights of the transgender community and the areas in which further action is still needed for their protection. Readers are presented with useful information on how to become trans allies and how to fight against trans discrimination in their day-to-day lives.

While transgender people have become more visible and gained a measure of acceptance from our cisnormative society in recent years, the need for trans role models to inspire young transgender people is still very real. This title profiles a host of accomplished transgender people who have made their names in a wide range of fields, including sports, politics, activism, entertainment, and the arts. It includes historical pioneers-such as Christine Jorgensen, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera-as well as present-day figures-such as Lana and Lilly Wachowski, Kye Allums, and Laverne Cox. A valuable resource for an underserved community.

An accessible guide to coming out to family and friends, this title provides transgender readers with insight about what steps to take when thinking about coming out. It addresses how to answer questions that friends and family might ask as well as the potential steps involved in a gender transition. For trans allies, this resource is a useful tool to understand how to be supportive of a loved one during their journey to express their true gender. Readers also will learn how to fight back against transgender discrimination at school and in their community.

Transgender people deal with a range of health issues. Some are specific to the community, others affect it disproportionately, and others impact transgender and cisgender people alike. Readers will learn about mental and emotional health, gender dysphoria, hormone replacement therapy (including puberty-blocking hormones), gender affirmation surgery, and more. They'll be reminded that, while surgery and hormone treatments can be life saving, they are neither right for every transgender person nor a requirement for being transgender. They'll also read about the barriers to care that transgender people frequently face and get advice on dealing with a health care system marked by cissexism.

This great guide is a much-needed way to introduce young readers to the gender galaxy. Readers will become familiar with some of the many gender identities a person can have, such as trans man, trans woman, gender fluid, bigender, or two-spirit. They'll learn about bodies beyond the gender binary, as well as the differences between gender expression, gender identity, and sexuality. A chapter on transphobia and cissexism acknowledges the discrimination and mistreatment that trans people face, but the support that trans communities can provide is also emphasized. Perfect for both transgender teens and young trans allies.