Transgender Resources

Transgender Awareness is an important subject to me, probably because I am a member of that amorphous community, that calls itself the "Transgendered Community," to which virtually no one will admit membership.  I spent the first half of my life living in the role of a male, which is to say, "male" is what everyone expected me to be, and "man" would be exaggerating things, as most of those years were obviously spent in the role of "boy."  I have spent the second half of my life (so far), living as a woman.  I like it much better this way.

I'll try to supply some pointers to resources here.  These are organizations or books that I've had enough contact with that I feel fairly comfortable recommending them to others.  The groups tend to be based around Massachusetts and Connecticut, as this is the region that I am most familiar with.

If you know of something that should be here, but isn't, click my name on the bottom of the page, and e-mail me a description and pointer.

Transgender Awareness

Reading Ourselves: Transsexual Women Tell Their Stories, compiled by Janis Walworth, MA

A Study of the Components of Gender Identity, original research conducted for my master's thesis

Are Transsexuals Crazy?, the results of my dissertation that tried to answer that very question.

The Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, Inc.: A professional organization for the support and treatment of gender identity disorders.  Publishers of the Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders, observed by most professionals involved in treatment of GID.

Treatment

Gender Identity Clinic of New England: Treatment for transsexuals in the New England area.

Support Groups

Center for Gender Sanity: A group dedicated to holding events for full-gender inclusion.

Connecticut Outreach Society: A group dedicated to supporting the transgendered community in Connecticut.

International Foundation for Gender Education: A nationwide support organization for cross-dressers, transvestites, transgenderists and transsexuals.

The Twenty Club, Inc.: A support group for transsexuals in the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts area.   The support group for the Gender Identity Clinic of New England.

Tiffany Club of New England: Support for cross dressers, transvestites and transgenderists in Eastern Massachusetts.

Recommended Readings

Transsexual Workers: An Employer's Guide: A guide to issues concerning people in transition in the workplace.

True Selves : Understanding Transsexualism-For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals : Support issues for the transgendered person and his or her family and friends.

The Lighter Side of Transsexualism

My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You: Kate Bornstein challenges our beliefs about gender and sexuality.