askchapo

Here is a reading list put together by @MuinteoirSaoirse@hexbear.net

And also there are currently discussion threads for beyond pink or blue (thanks @Carcharodonna@hexbear.net for setting this up!):

• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6

I would start here:

• Gender Dysphoria Bible
• Whipping Girl by Julia Serano
• Sexed Up by Julia Serano

Then if you want to get more in the weeds, here are some science articles on the topic:

• Joshua Safer's "Evidence supporting the biologic nature of gender identity" (DOI)
• Joshua Safer's "Etiology of Gender Identity" (DOI)
• the collective research of Daphna Joel and Dick Swaab for the current scientific theories of "brain-sex" (which likely plays a role in gender identity and gender dysphoria):
  • Joel & Swaab, 2019, "The Complex Relationships between Sex and the Brain", (DOI)
  • Joel, 2015, "Sex beyond the genetalia: The human brain mosaic", (DOI)
  • Swaab, 2008, "A sex difference in the hypothalamic uncinate nucleus: relationship to gender identity", (DOI)
  • Swaab, 2000, "Male-to-female transsexuals have female neuron numbers in a limbic nucleus", (DOI)
  • Swaab, 1995, "A sex difference in the human brain and its relation to transsexuality", (DOI)

Reading Swaab's work in particular was eye-opening, since trans women whose brains were autopsied were found to have structures in their brain that were like cis women and not like cis men, even without ever undergoing hormone therapy. While the picture that emerges with later research did not point to something as simple as "male" and "female" brains, it is particularly grounding to have empirical evidence like this that lends credibility to trans experiences. For example it really is more accurate to say trans women have a "female brain" than to say trans women are merely mentally ill, as though the gender identity were due to delusions or psychosis.

If reading scientific literature is challenging, the famous neuroendocrinologist, Robert Sapolsky, has some talks that summarize the situation:

• Neuro-biology of trans-sexuality: Prof. Robert Sapolsky
• Robert Sapolsky: Brain Gender

Other video overviews on the science of sex & gender:

• Julia Serano's "Trans People and Biological Sex: What the Science Says"
• Forrest Valkai's "Sex & Sensibility"

Re trans care and its clinical relevance: this Cornell University systematic literature review summarizes research done on the effects of transition on well-being, and links to 51 different studies that collectively indicate that gender-affirming care improves the well-being of trans people:

What We Know Project, Cornell University, “What Does the Scholarly Research Say about the Effect of Gender Transition on Transgender Well-Being?”, 2018.

This was also an excellent overview of the history of trans healthcare and why it's important and recommended by every medical association not just for trans adults but also for trans minors:

"Care, Not Controversy" by bio-ethicist Ian D. Wolfe

Also on the academic / intellectual side:

• Feminist Perspectives on Trans Issues, and anything else written by trans philosopher Talia Mae Bettcher (e.g. "Trapped in the Wrong Theory", "When Selves have Sex", and esp. "Evil Deceivers and Make Believers"
• anything by Jacob C. Hale, e.g. “Are Lesbians Women?”
• anything by Florence Ashley esp. "What Is It like to Have a Gender Identity?" and "Don't Be So Hateful" (Note: you can download any of their published articles from her personal website)
• video essays by ContraPoints, but esp. trans related videos like Are Tr*ps Gay?, JK Rowling, Autogynephilia, The Witch Trials of JK Rowling, Pronouns, Transtrenders, Gender Critical
• Transgender History by Susan Stryker
• various books by Judith Butler like Gender Trouble (note: might not be worth reading, their gender theory is discredited and their writing is difficult to parse, but Butler has undeniable influence and relevance anyway)

If you wanted more personal accounts like trans fiction and memoirs, check out:

• Mia Violet's memoir: Yes, You Are Trans Enough
• everything by Casey Plett (Little Fish, A Safe Girl to Love, etc.)
• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
• Nevada by Imogen Binnie
• Leslie Feinberg's Stone Butch Blues (fiction) and Transgender Warriors (non-fiction)
• Janet Mock's Redefining Realness
• Jacob Tobia's memoir: Sissy
• Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer
• Lewis Hancox's Welcome to St. Hell
• Kate Bornstein's Gender Outlaw

Let me know if you have any questions!

Here’s an article I like: On Hating Men (And Becoming One Anyway)