path: root/site/resources.md

---
title: Resources
x-toc-enable: true
...

History
=======

Contrary to what some may believe, transgender people have existed
throughout human history. We are a very underrepresented group of
people, and we've mostly been ignored throughout history.

However, transgender people have been documented in one form or another,
in most human cultures throughout history.

General history
---------------

Wikipedia has a page briefly documenting transgender history in various
countries on earth: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_history>

This article is specifically about transgender history (the other
article is about LGBT in general):
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_history>

Articles
========

A Pre-Prepared Response to Today’s Transphobia
----------------------------------------------

<http://www.miaviolet.com/2017/10/23/a-pre-prepared-response-to-todays-transphobia/>

Detransition, Desistance and Disinformation: trans children
------------------------------------------------------------

<https://medium.com/@juliaserano/detransition-desistance-and-disinformation-a-guide-for-understanding-transgender-children-993b7342946e#.v45xd2rpd>

From Julia Serano, the same person who wrote *Whipping Girl* (which we
recommend you read), this article debunks some of the common claims made
about people who *detransition*. A very small number (about 2% or less)
of trans people decide to detransition for one reason or another, and
this is often used by gatekeepers to rationalise restricting access to
trans healthcare services. This article attempts to shoot a bullet
through that argument.

It's a very good article (though not as long as Whipping Girl) and
covers a lot of history about the gatekeeping model in trans healthcare
(which still exists today) and the conversion therapy or
*gender-reparative therapy* that gatekeepers used to use on children
(and still do, in some countries) to try to force them to live as cis
people.

It's a very good read.

A study on the history of gender-segregated bathrooms
-----------------------------------------------------

<https://www.buzzfeed.com/shannonkeating/gender-segregated-bathrooms-have-a-long-ugly-history?utm_term=.xaB9Klypv#.tu1eWGO6q>
- it's worth a read.

One gene keeps Mickey from turning into Minnie
----------------------------------------------

<http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/07/20/one-gene-keeps-mickey-from-turning-into-minnie/#.WI5CpYiYFdh>

An article about how genetic engineering could be used instead of HRT,
in the future. This is still experimental.

Resource for transgender children in schools (UK)
-------------------------------------------------

<http://uktrans.info/70-topic-overviews/328-resources-for-schools)>

Useful resources for children (UK residents).

We've been around: a history of trans people
--------------------------------------------

Video series about trans people in history:
<http://www.wevebeenaround.com/seriesoverview/> - if you get region
restricted, use Tor Browser Bundle to view it and keep switching Tor
Circuits via Ctrl+Shift+L shortcut until you get a working video stream.
The site works well if your browser looks like it comes from inside
North America.

Trans Expression in Ancient Times
---------------------------------

A collection of articles about how trans people lived in past cultures.

<http://bilerico.lgbtqnation.com/2008/02/transgender_history_trans_expression_in.php>

Having sex with trans woman, and not being an asshole
-----------------------------------------------------

Pun not intended.

Trans women are often fetishized, especially in pornographic media.
There is a lot of transphobia surrounding the topic. This article
attempts to attack and reverse some of the damage done, by providing a
howto on basically how to be a decent human being who treats people,
including trans women, with the respect that they deserve.

<http://early2bed.com/2014/02/05/trans-women-sex-awesome/> - this is an
article about what not to do when having sex with a trans woman.

LGBT youth list of transgender resources
----------------------------------------

<http://the-lgbt-youth-blog.tumblr.com/post/134500769289/trans-resources-please-signal-boost>

Feminism 101: A Crash Course
----------------------------

<http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/02/feminism-101-a-crash-course/>

A video explaining key feminist concepts.

[Geek feminism](http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Intersectionality)
also has an article about intersectionality, which is briefly covered in
the video. A more in depth history of the term is covered on [this
Wikipedia article](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersectionality) -
and [this
article](https://medium.com/athena-talks/my-feminism-will-be-capitalist-appropriative-and-bullshit-merchandise-d1064490d8fb#.620m40soc)
- and [this
one](http://www.nerdyfeminist.com/2012/11/intersectionalism-101.html)

Not Your Mom's Trans 101
------------------------

<http://www.tranarchism.com/2010/11/26/not-your-moms-trans-101/>

An excellent teardown on the gender binary, and why it doesn't exist.

Video explaining 3 reasons why non-binary people exist
------------------------------------------------------

<http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/11/recognizing-non-binary-people/>

Very good video.

Video explaining what intersex means
------------------------------------

<http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/06/science-doesnt-support-sex-binary/>

Also a good video. It's simply not true that sex can be male or female;
intersex people exist too. Doctors decide sex and gender based on
genitalia.

These articles are also interesting (related to intersex conditions):

-   <http://skepchick.org/2011/12/bilaterally-gynandromorphic-chickens-and-why-im-not-scientifically-male/>
-   <https://www.autostraddle.com/its-time-for-people-to-stop-using-the-social-construct-of-biological-sex-to-defend-their-transmisogyny-240284/>

This article attempts to uncover some statistics behind the numbers of
intersex people in society:
<http://intersexroadshow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/how-common-is-intersex-status.html>

Difference between bisexual and pansexual
-----------------------------------------

<https://radicalbi.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/some-differences-and-similarities-between-bisexuality-and-pansexuality/>

Most people use the terms interchangeably, but there are differences.

stuff pansexuals need to know
-----------------------------

<https://rainbowgenderpunk.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/stuff-pansexuals-need-to-know/>

Also, see the article above about differences between pan and bi.

Ace/Aro (asexual/aromantic)
---------------------------

[Difference between aromantic and
asexual](http://everydayfeminism.com/2016/09/asexual-and-aromantic-matter/)

[Under the Ace Umbrella: Demisexuality and
Gray-asexuality](http://www.asexualityarchive.com/tag/ace-spectrum/)

Census study of third gender citizens in India
----------------------------------------------

<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/First-count-of-third-gender-in-census-4-9-lakh/articleshow/35741613.cms>


Other trans groups
==================

This list is by no means complete.

Find a local trans group near you (online or offline):
------------------------------------------------------

[Trans Unite](https://www.transunite.co.uk/) at
<https://www.transunite.co.uk/> provides an updated list of support groups,
and information sites. It serves as an index, allowing people to find local
groups.

It is also attempting to index online groups.

International
=============

Increasing self-esteem
----------------------

Many trans people suffer low self-esteem, especially in the early days
of their transition, or pre-transition, and especially if they have more
severe body dysphoria. They can feel like they hate themselves, that
they are worthless, that they can't make decisions, guilty for taking
good care of themselves, etc and would generally have low confidence.

The UK mental health charity called *Mind* has a guide on their website:
[how to increase your
self-esteem](http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-esteem/#.WCrjkrN9Knw)

Sex education for trans women
<http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-20000s/26424.pdf>

Sex education booklet for trans women that focuses in the UK but is still relevant for everyone
<http://www.tht.org.uk/~/media/4653aa766e3f4c1286fc515f17146f32.ashx>

Sex education booklet for trans men that focuses in the UK but is still relevant for everyone
<http://www.tht.org.uk/~/media/8F7D70D8C3B643109351E3D9A633529A.ashx>

Sex education for gay trans men (trans men into men)

<http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-20000s/24654.pdf>

Sex education booklet for trans youth
<http://cdn0.genderedintelligence.co.uk/2012/11/17/17-14-04-GI-sexual-health-booklet.pdf>

Sex education bbook for trans people including non binary people (called gender non-conforming people in the book)
<http://www.academia.edu/3541149/Sexual_Health_for_Transgender_and_Gender_Non-Conforming_People>

FTM Sex Talk (Q&A about trans men)
<http://ftmsextalk.tumblr.com/>

Blog of an intersex man who was AMAB and socialized as a woman before he transitionined
<http://intersexroadshow.blogspot.co.uk/>

Open Source Gender Codes
------------------------

Project for home-grown HRT, to tell people how to synthesize their own
HRT.

Nonbinary.org
-------------

This is an info/support site (not run by TransChat) dedicated exclusively
to non-binary trans people.

Go to [Nonbinary wiki](https://nonbinary.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page)

Pink News transgender news section
----------------------------------

Go to <https://www.pinknews.co.uk/topic/transgender/>

YouTube channels (trans women) {#yt-mtf}
------------------------------

These YouTube channels contain videos documenting experiences of the
trans women who run these channels. Some of the videos contain a lot of
useful info. Check it out:

[Jessica Tiffany's
vlog](https://www.youtube.com/user/cuteypietiffany/videos/) (also has
videos about dilation for vaginoplasty/genital surgery. Worth watching)

[Violet's vlog](https://www.youtube.com/user/violet4151/videos)
(contains a lot of useful information, and a very good tutorial for how
to *tuck*)




European Union
==============

TGEU
----

News site for trans issues in the whole of the European Union and Europe
in general.

Go to <http://tgeu.org/>

United States
=============

Casa Ruby (Washington DC)
-------------------------

Provides refuge/housing to homeless trans people in the DC area.

Go to [casaruby.org](http://www.casaruby.org/)

Ireland
=======

Transgender Equality Network Ireland
------------------------------------

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions
and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families.

<http://teni.ie/>

United Kingdom
==============

Press for Change
----------------

Useful legal advice for trans people.

Go to <http://www.pfc.org.uk/>

Action for Trans Health
-----------------------

Campaign group for trans rights in the UK.

Go to
[actionfortranshealth.org.uk](http://actionfortranshealth.org.uk/).

CliniQ
------

Sexual health clinic, also provides blood tests and advice on hormone
treatment. This might be useful for people who
[self-medicate](hrt-internet.md)

<https://cliniq.org.uk/>

LGBT Youth Scotland
-------------------

LGBT support group for people in Scotland. They also cover transgender
people.

Go to [lgbtyouth.org.uk](https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/)

They have an advice section, which contains a lot of useful information,
which the TransChat site also links to in a few places, for various
topics: <https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/yp-advice>

T on Tuesday (London, UK)
-------------------------

<http://londonfriend.org.uk/get-support/social/> - see *T on Tuesday* on
that page for their trans support group. It is friendly towards
non-binary people.

Trans London (London, UK)
-------------------------

<http://www.translondon.org.uk/?q=meetings> - support group.

Note: their homepage says *whatever their gender identity (or
identities)* but a Google site search reveals that they mostly cover
information for trans women. We've yet to visit this group in person,
to see how good they are. They may be good, though, for people living in
London.

Transpire (Southend-on-sea, UK)
-------------------------------

Transgender support group in the Southend area, with regular meetings.
This is a volunteer based organisation, so if you think you can help
them, please don't hesitate to get involved!

Go to [transpiresouthend.org](http://transpiresouthend.org/)

Mind
----

Being trans is not a mental health condition, but a lot of trans people
suffer mental health conditions, for various reasons (e.g. unemployment,
discrimination, bullying, general stress, etc). Mind is a mental health
charity, designed to help people with who are functionally diverse.\
[Go to mind.org.uk](http://www.mind.org.uk/)

Terrence Higgins Trust
----------------------

Sexual health charity, especially around topics like HIV prevention.
It's generally for the LGBT community as a whole, but has sections
relevant to trans people:

-   [Trans
    women](http://www.tht.org.uk/sexual-health/Sex,-reproduction-and-gender/Trans-women)
-   [Trans
    men](http://www.tht.org.uk/sexual-health/Sex,-reproduction-and-gender/Trans-men)
-   [Non-binary
    trans](http://www.tht.org.uk/sexual-health/Sex,-reproduction-and-gender/Trans-women/Nonbinary)

Their main site is at [tht.org.uk](http://www.tht.org.uk/).

GIRES - Gender Identity Research and Education Society
------------------------------------------------------

From their homepage: *GIRES' purpose is to improve the lives of trans
and gender non-conforming people, including those who are non-binary and
non-gender.*

GIRES is a volunteer-based charity that helps trans people cope with and
improve their lives, to the point where they are happy in their
transition.

They also campaign for changes in laws and lobby the government, for
improved trans rights in the UK, especially in healthcare provision.
They are funded by membership and other donations.

They also provide sessions, to help educate people about trans issues,
and in general try to spread awareness.

Go to <http://gires.org.uk/>

They also have links to other support organisations throughout the
country, on their site:
<http://www.gires.org.uk/uk-support-organisations>

The Beaumont Society
--------------------

The Beaumont Society provides general support and advice to the
transgender community, including trans people and their loved ones.

They also, like GIRES, take part in campaigns to help spread awareness
and bring about positive social change for the trans community.

Go to <http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/>

Gendertrust
-----------

Another support organisation. Go to <http://gendertrust.org.uk/>

They also have links to other support organisations throughout the
country, on their site:
<http://gendertrust.org.uk/directory/support-organisations>

Mermaids UK (children)
----------------------

Support for transgender children and young people in general.

Go to <http://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/>

Gendered Intelligence
---------------------

Support for transgender children and young people in general.

Go to <http://genderedintelligence.co.uk/trans-youth/youth-group>

Portugal
======

Amplos (Oporto and Lisbon, Portugal)
----------------------

Support group for families of LGBT people and they fight for LGBT rights. They are trans inclusive. They have meetings in Oporto and Lisbon and they can also try to help parents who aren't entirely sure how to deal with their kids coming out.
Go to <http://www.amplos.pt/>

ILGA Portugal
-------------

They have a few trans resources:
<http://ilga-portugal.pt/areas-trabalho/areas-trabalho.php?tipo=identidade_genero>

Gender Identity Bill (Portugal)
-----------------------

<http://www.joaodecioferreira.com/media/pdfs/lei-de-igualdade-de-gc3a9nero.pdf>

This document basically states the bureaucratic process of transitioning in Portugal.


Catcalling in Portugal is illegal
-----------------------

This article talks about how in 2015 a law passed that criminalized catcalling in Portugal (this might protect any person seen as a woman by society, idenpendentely of their gender identity in public):

<http://www.dn.pt/portugal/interior/piropos-ja-sao-crime-e-dao-pena-de-prisao-ate-tres-anos-4954471.html>