azazaychek asked: Can you recommend your favorite books/websites/anything about understanding transgenderism? I've frequently had these arguments with friends trying to defend something I don't understand but want to know more about.
how coincidental! i just read a great article in Hoax 7: Feminisms and Change by Natalie Reed last night about fourth-wave feminism and the inclusion/exclusion of trans* folks. it’s available online and is a great clearcut analysis of why it shouldn’t even be a question of whether or not trans-feminism should be a part of an (eventual) fourth wave feminist movement.
Fourth Wave: Part One by Natalie Reed
i should preface this by saying i don’t think i’m necessarily the best/right person to ask about this since i am cisgendered… but here’s hoping this will at least be helpful for you and/or your friends. a lot of my understanding came from conferences, discussions with friends, and listening. but you know i love a good book or blog. here are some other books and articles i’ve read earlier on that are helpful:
What Transmisogyny Looks Like by Tobi Hill-Meyer
Trans-Formative Change, Meaghan Winter interviews Dean Spade
My Gender Workbook: How to Become a Real Man, a Real Woman, the Real You, or Something Else Entirely - Kate Bornstein
Nobody Passes: Rejecting the Rules of Gender and Conformity - Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore
That’s Revolting!: Queer Strategies for Resisting Assimilation - Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore
Retelling Racialized Violence, Remaking White Innocence: The Politics of Interlocking Oppressions in Transgender Day of Remembrance by Sarah Lamble (hee hee my 1st year politics seminar leader in university!)
or you can browse my “trans” tag on tumblr.
let me know if there are more things specifically you are trying to “defend” with friends. the bottom line, whenever you’re talking about a group you are not a part of or don’t know much about, is to let them speak for themselves whenever possible. respect is absolutely key, like respecting people’s chosen pronouns. i don’t think you need to read any books or articles to properly understand that.
