Trans+: Love, Sex, Romance, and Being You

by Karen Rayne and Kathryn Gonzales

Anne Passchier (Illustrator)

A groundbreaking all-inclusive, uncensored, must-have guide for teens who are living in this world, who identify as transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming, gender fluid, or are questioning their gender identity or how they express themselves, and for their cis-allies and advocates.

Gender is hard. Really hard, because it is made up; it's a way that humans have developed over the millennia to simplify how we see and interact with our complex and messy world and to classify and categorize all the people in it. The concept of gender has changed over time and not everyone agrees on the ways gender works or how to define it. But individuals alone are the ones who gets to determine for themselves what gender means and how to live it.

Trans+ answers hard questions about gender expression and identity, covers mental health and wellness as well as developing bodies and reproduction, transitioning medically, socially and legally, healthy v. unhealthy relationships, sex and pleasure, and life as a trans or nonbinary individual. It's full of essential information teens need--and want--and includes up close and personal stories from the authors and trans youth, evocatively relating their own experiences of love, sex, romance, and just being their wonderful selves. But perhaps most importantly, Trans+ will remind readers that no matter where they may live and who they are, transgender and non-binary people have often held a revered place in their societies as shamans, healer, leaders, and esteemed rulers. And just like their ancestors, they are perfect, whole and complete beings, no less than the stars and stardust covering the entire universe.

2020 ALA Rainbow Book List Selection
A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, Starred Outstanding Merit Title
2019 Foreword INDIES Awards Finalist

• ISBN10: 1433829835
• ISBN13: 9781433829833
• Publish Date: 27 August 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: American Psychological Association
• Imprint: Magination Press, (American Psychological Association)
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Liam]

[The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

What I liked:
- I love this book so much that I have already pre-ordered a physical copy of it after one chapter!
- Both authors are trans and know what they are talking about.
- The book is full of cute illustrations.
- I loved the list of nonbinary genders in other cultures!
- There are many diary entries by trans and nonbinary teens.
- The word definitions and info boxes were very helpful.
- At the end of each chapter there's a list of additional resources.
- The book talks about so many important topics: what is gender, gender dysphoria, coming out, bodies, transitioning, relationships, sex, family...

What I didn't like:
- I wish there was a bit more about questioning your gender. I would recommend this book to people who already know that they are trans.

This is one of my favorite trans books ever!