Transgender is a broad term that can be used to describe people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were thought to be when they were born. “Trans” is often used as shorthand for transgender.
To treat a transgender person with respect, you treat them according to their gender identity, not their sex at birth. So, someone who lives as a woman today is called a transgender woman and should be referred to as “she” and “her.” A transgender man lives as a man today and should be referred to as “he” and “him.” (source: National Center for Transgender Equality)
National Center for Transgender Equality: social justice organization for advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration, empowerment. They have an excellent publication entitled “Opening the door to the inclusion of transgender people: the nine keys to making lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations fully transgender-inclusive,” by Lisa Mottet and Justin Tannis.
Trans Youth Family Allies: Empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
Gender Spectrum Family. Education and support, to create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for all children and teens.
New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA): Advocates for freedom of gender identity and expression for all.
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund: Committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, community organizing and public policy efforts.
My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis. “My Princess Boy is a book about acceptance. It is based on my son Dyson, a self titled Princess Boy. The book tells the story of a 4-year-old boy who happily expresses his authentic self by enjoying “traditionally girl” things like jewelry and anything sparkly or pink. It is also the story of my struggle with the challenge of supporting him when he dresses up, and the solid unconditional support and love he received from his older brother, Dkobe, and his father, my husband Dean. My hope is our story will help others to start and continue a dialogue about unconditional friendship and teach children — and adults — how to accept and support children for who they are and how they wish to look.”
Trans-Academics.org: archived discussions of gender theory & identity. Open to people of all gender identities.
Transgender Law Center: a California-focused civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities.
Trans Advocacy Network (TAN): An alliance of transgender organizations working at the state and local level, coming together to build a stronger trans movement by facilitating the sharing of resources, best practices and organizing strategies. (Organizations may join, not individuals.)
California Trans Can Work : The CTWP Mission is to promote California as a “truly transgender positive workplace” and create a model for the remainder of the country.
List of films focusing on trans and gender diverse people from Trans-Academics.org
Two Spirits | A Map of Gender-Diverse Cultures | Independent Lens | PBS. Interactive map with descriptions of how gender is understood/constructed in various locations throughout the world.
This American Life On Transgender Children: NPR show from February 13, 2009 profiling two eight-year-old transgender children. Note: The segment starts about 29 minutes into the show.
Boy I Am: About FTM trans experience.
Cruel & Unusual: About trans women in prison.
Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria: About 1966 pre-Stonewall riot in San Francisco.
Transgender Basics: Produced by the Gender Identity Project and Media Center. 20 minute video that introduces us to several transgender invididuals and outlines basic concepts, such as the difference between sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.
Toilet Training: Addresses the persistent discrimination, harassment, and violence that people who transgress gender norms face in gender segregated bathrooms.
Transsexual Menace: Interviews with transsexuals.
Envisioning Justice: (2008): 32-minute documentaryabout the life and work of the New York-based transgender activist, Pauline Park.
The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals, by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper. (book – good resource for parents and educators)
Gender Neutral Pronouns (quick reference guide)
Transgender Travelers: Information from the TSA for transgender travelers going through airport security.
When Steve Becomes Stephanie, Harvard Business Review Case Study
Trans 101, by T-Vox
Transgender Health: Reconceptualizing Pathology as Wellness (Pauline Park’s Trans-Health Conference speech on GID, 4.7.07)
“What transgender people need to know about TSA’s procedures“(PDF). From the National Center for Transgender Equality
Kids of Trans Resource Guide.Video and PDF produced by COLAGE (organization for people with a LGBT or Q parent)
In Boston: BAGLY has weekly meetings for transgender youth (under 23) on Wednesday nights 6pm-9pm. They can be contacted at 1-800-42-BAGLY or check out their website.