There is no one way to be transgender. Transgender and gender non-conforming people have many different ways of understanding their gender identities. Only recently have sex and gender been thought of as separate concepts, and we have learned that sex (traditionally thought of as physical or biological) is as variable as gender (traditionally thought of as social).
While trans people share many common experiences, there is immense diversity within trans communities. There are an estimated 700,000 transgendered individuals in the US and 15 million worldwide. Even still, there's been a notable lack of organized information for this sizable group.
Trans Bodies, Trans Selves is a revolutionary resource-a comprehensive, reader-friendly guide for transgender people, with each chapter written by transgender or genderqueer authors. Inspired by Our Bodies, Ourselves, the classic and powerful compendium written for and by women, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves is widely accessible to the transgender population, providing authoritative information in an inclusive and respectful way and representing the collective knowledge base of dozens of influential experts. Each chapter takes the reader through an important transgender issue, such as race, religion, employment, medical and surgical transition, mental health topics, relationships, sexuality, parenthood, arts and culture, and many more.
Anonymous quotes and testimonials from transgender people who have been surveyed about their experiences are woven throughout, adding compelling, personal voices to every page. In this unique way, hundreds of viewpoints from throughout the community have united to create this strong and pioneering book. It is a welcoming place for transgender and gender-questioning people, their partners and families, students, professors, guidance counselors, and others to look for up-to-date information on transgender life.

Acknowledgements
Preface - Laura Erickson-Schroth
About This Book
Introduction - Jennifer Finney Boylan
Media Spotlights Introduction - Dallas Denny and Jamison Green
Global Leaders Spotlights Introduction - Jamie Roberts and Anneliese Singh
Section 1: Who We Are
Ch. 1 - Our Many Selves - Holiday Simmons and Fresh White
Ch. 2 - Race, Ethnicity, and Culture -Naim Rasul
Ch. 3 - Immigration - Kate Kourbatova and Elana Redfield
Ch. 4 - Dis/Abilities and Deafness - Zack Marshall and Syrus Marcus Ware
Ch. 5 - Religion and Spirituality - delfin bautista and Quince Mountain with
Heath Mackenzie Reynolds
Ch. 6 - Sex and Gender Development - Laura Erickson-Schroth, Miqqi Alicia
Gilbert, and T. Evan Smith
Section 2: Living as Ourselves
Ch. 7 - Coming Out - Reid Vanderburgh
Ch. 8 - Social Transition - Heath Mackenzie Reynolds and Zil Garner Goldstein
Ch. 9 - Employment - Zil Garner Goldstein, Jessica Lina Stirba, and Cecilia
Gentili, with Heath Mackenzie Reynolds, Tobi Hill-Meyer and Dean
Scarborough
Ch. 10 - Legal Issues - Kylar W. Broadus and Shannon Price Minter

Section 3: Health and Wellness
Ch. 11 - General, Sexual, and Reproductive Health - Nick Gorton and Hilary
Maia Grubb
Ch. 12 - Medical Transition - Maddie Deutsch
Ch. 13 - Surgical Transition - Jules Chyten-Brennan
Ch. 14 - Mental Health Services - Ruben Hopwood and lore m. dickey
Ch. 15 - Mental Health Concerns - Tamar Carmel, Ruben Hopwood, and lore m.
dickey
Section 4: Our Relationships and Families
Ch. 16 - Intimate Relationships - Sarah E. Belawski and Carey Jean Sojka
Ch. 17 - Sexuality - Tobi Hill-Meyer and Dean Scarborough
Ch. 18 - Parenting - Kel Polly and Ryan G. Polly
Section 5: Life Stages
Ch. 19 - Children - Aidan Key
Ch. 20 - Youth - Colt Keo-Meier, Sassafras Lowrey, and Lance Hicks
Ch. 21 - Aging - Tarynn M. Witten and Joe Ippolito
Section 6: Claiming Our Power
Ch. 22 - United States History - Genny Beemyn
Ch. 23 - Arts and Culture - Lazlo Ilya Pearlman, Jae DK Szeszycki-Truesdell,
and Kestryl Cael Lowrey
Ch. 24 - Activism, Politics, and Organizing - Peter Cava
Afterword
Contributor Biographies
Glossary
Index
Suggestions

Laura Erickson-Schroth, MD, MA, is a psychiatry resident at New York University Medical Center. She is a board member of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality, as well as the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists. She is a founding member of the Gender and Family Network of New York City, a group for service providers interested in the health of gender non-conforming children and adolescents.