By Ash B.

Since 2009, March 31 has been recognized internationally as Transgender Day of Visibility. Created by trans community member Rachel Crandall-Crocker, the day is meant to spark hope and spread awareness of trans lives, especially through trans joy. 

General awareness of trans-ness has increased in the past 15 years; however, visibility does not always mean progress. Over the past three years, Americans (across all political parties) have grown less supportive of policies that support trans people (ex. protection against job and housing discrimination) and more supportive of policies that cause harm and restrict trans rights, particularly relating to athletics, restrooms, and healthcare (Pew Research).

The majority of Americans, particularly those aged 50+, report they do not personally know a transgender person. Perhaps that’s why the trans community has become such an easy target for disinformation and scapegoating. If a sizeable majority of the population personally knew trans and nonbinary people – truly knew us, as peers and coworkers and friends, as humans trying to live our lives as best we can – then perhaps we would be guaranteed more safety and bodily autonomy.

In the spirit of trans joy, all are invited to celebrate the trans community at the following events: 

This Friday (Mar 28), join HCLS for a free Trans Day of Visibility celebration hosted by the Howard County LGBTQIA+ Commission, in partnership with the Office of Human Rights and Equity. The event takes place at the Elkridge 50+ Center from 4 – 7:30 pm with read-alouds, arts and crafts, games, and a dance party. More info here. 

On Monday, March 31, 10 am – 12 pm & 3 – 5 pm, join us at Central Branch to make buttons, zines, collages, and vision boards. From 4 – 5 pm, a representative from Community Allies of Rainbow Youth (CARY) shares resources and answers questions.

Below is a robust roundup of titles from our collection, most of them authored by trans people. Regardless of your gender identity and personal background, there’s something here for everyone; I hope you check one out and learn something new! 

Trans 101 Information

• Gender: Your Guide: A Gender-Friendly Primer on What to Know, What to Say, and What to Do in the New Gender Culture by Lee Airton  
• He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters by Schuyler Bailar
• A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities by Mady G 

Anthologies to Better Understand Transgender Experiences

• Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families (2023) 
• Gender Euphoria: Stories of Joy from Trans, Non-binary and Intersex Writers (2021) 
• Growing Up Trans: In Our Own Words (2021) 
• Non-binary Lives: An Anthology of Intersecting Identities (2020) 
• Spectrums: Autistic Transgender People in Their Own Words (2020) 
• To Survive on this Shore by Jess T. Dugan 
• Young Queer America: Real Stories and Faces of LGBTQ+ Youth by Maxwell Poth

Trans History

• Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam  
• Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity by C. Riley Snorton 
• Corpses, Fools, and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema by Caden Mark Gardner  
• The Other Olympians: Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports by Michael Waters
• A Short History of Trans Misogyny by Jules Gill-Peterson 
• Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution by Susan Stryker  
• The Women’s House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison by Hugh Ryan

If You’re a Parent (whether or not you currently have a trans child) 

• The Gender Identity Guide for Parents: Compassionate Advice to Help Your Child Be Their Most Authentic Self by Tavi Hawn 
• Free to Be: Understanding Kids & Gender Identity by Jack L. Turban
• When Children Come Out: A Guide for Christian Parents by Mark Yarhouse & Olya Zaporozhets 

Inclusive Picture Books

• The Fighting Infantryman by Rob Sanders 
• Hooray for She, He, Ze, and They! by Lindz Amer 
• What Are Your Words? A Book About Pronouns by Katherine Locke 
• When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff 
• My Rainbow by Trinity Neal 
• If You’re a Kid Like Gavin by Gavin Grimm 
• It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn 

Middle Grade Fiction

• Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass 
• Both Can Be True by Jules Machias 
• Camp QUILTBAG by Nicole Melleby 
• Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff 
• Flor Fights Back: A Stonewall Riots Survival Story by Joy Michael Ellison 
• Obie is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar 
• Spin With Me by Amy Polonsky
• Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff 
• Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker

Young adult novels & graphic novels

• Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa 
• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas 
• Dreadnought by April Daniels 
• Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender 
• Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges 
• The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. Capetta 
• Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White 
• Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore 
• Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender 
• Pet by Akwaeke Emezi 
• Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore 
• Stage Dreams by Melanie Gillman 
• The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas 
• The (Un)Popular Vote by Jasper Sanchez 

Adult Fiction

• Bad Habit by Alana Portero
• Bellies by Nicola Dinan 
• The Brilliant Death by A. R. Capetta 
• Confessions of the Fox by Jordy Rosenberg 
• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters 
• Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki 
• Infamous by Lex Croucher
• The Prospects by KT Hoffman 
• The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy 
• Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander
• Summer Fun by Jeanne Thornton 
• The Thirty Names of Night by Zeyn Joukhadar 
• Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist 
• Wrath Goddess Sing by Maya Dean 

Need more book recommendations? Feel free to contact us, and if we don’t own a title you’re looking for, you can Suggest an Addition to the Collection.

For more resources and organizations to connect with, here are the resource lists from Community Allies of Rainbow Youth and PFLAG Howard County.

Ash is an Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch with a passion for information literacy and community engagement. They love music, gardening, hiking, and cuddling with their golden retriever.