Synopsis
What does “trans” mean, and what does it mean to be trans? Diversity in human sex and gender is not a modern phenomenon, as readers will discover through illustrated stories and records that introduce historical figures ranging from the controversial Roman emperor Elagabalus to the swashbuckling seventeenth-century conquistador Antonio de Erauso to veterans of the Stonewall uprising Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. In addition to these individual profiles, the book explores some of the societal roles played by trans people beginning in ancient times and shows how European ideas about gender were spread across the globe. It explains how the science of sexology and the growing acceptance of (and backlash to) gender nonconformity have helped to shape what it means to be trans today. Illustrated conversations with modern activists, scholars, and creatives highlight the breadth of current trans experiences and give readers a deeper sense of the diversity of trans people, a group numbering in the millions. Extensive source notes provide further resources.
From: Candlewick Press
Notes on This Title
This is a history of trans, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people throughout time. It includes discussions of gender in ancient Mesopotamia, precolonial South America, ancient Egypt, ancient Rome, ancient China, and medieval Europe.
It also depicts historical figures including:
- We’wha, a Zuni Ihamana person.
- Adélaïde Herculine Barbin, a French intersex woman.
- Karl Heinrich Ulrichs and Magnus Hirschfeld, gay German men.
- Lili Elbe, a queer Danish trans woman.
- Lobzang Jivaka, a British Buddhist and trans man.
- Gladys Bentley, a gender-nonconforming Black woman and lesbian.
- Lucy Hicks Anderson, a Black trans woman.
- Christine Jorgensen, a trans woman.
- Reed Erickson, a trans man.
- Virginia Prince, a trans woman.
- Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were Black and Puerto Rican/Venezuelan respectively.
The authors provide the following content warnings: “The history covered in this book involves a lot of disturbing and anti-trans viewpoints, as well as violence against a variety of people who didn’t conform to prevailing norms…The book also includes discussions of abuse, suicide, racism, anti-Semitism[sic], ableism, misogyny, homophobia, and violence against intersex people.”
Awards
None.
Reviews
Starred Review: “An important reference, resource, and overview of historical accounts surrounding trans identity.” (Source: School Library Journal)
“A solid and useful introduction to a vast topic.” (Source: Kirkus Reviews)
Interviews
Los Angeles Daily News: “‘Trans History’ co-creator Andrew Eakett talks ‘devastating’ Supreme Court decision“