This site was created as a repository for links to resources for people who wish to understand more about what it means for someone to be transgender.
In 2012 I began volunteering at a support center for homeless youth. There I met some young people who were open about being trans, and I realized that I had no real understanding of what that was. They were kind enough to direct me to some resources where I could advance my understanding.
Around the time of the 2016 Presidential Election, I saw a significant rise in transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, etc., and realized that my friends were at increasing risk. I found that unacceptable and took it upon myself to learn how to be an advocate for them.
I have spent the time since then investigating many aspects of what it means to be trans. This included reading books and articles, investigating genetics, attending support groups and volunteering with trans support organizations.
As I learned more, I began looking for a handout that would give cisgender people a basic introduction to what it means to be trans and how one should respond, but I could find nothing that was concise enough to work as a handout. This led me to write what I called a “Quick Start Guide to Understanding Your Transgender Friend/Relative/Co-worker.” It is also available in Spanish here.
Along the way I have been given incalculable assistance from a goodly number of transgender people, some of whom must remain unnamed because they are not fully “out” in all aspects of their lives. But I can name some of them, particularly Danni Askini and Elayne Wylie, the founders of the Gender Justice League; Lonness Valenna, a wonderful intersex transgender activist; Marsha Botzer, founder of Ingersoll Gender Center who was kind enough to let me sit in on the support group meetings; and Linden Jordan, who inspired me to study genetics.
I also want to thank Mac McGregor, Drew Griffin, Josie Fitting, Anna Blankenship, Aurelia Lyon, Zee Zaki, Debbie Gordon and Becca Ritchie for reviewing and refining the Guide.