The SAGE Encyclopedia of Trans Studies: Autobiographies

Since the 1930s, trans individuals have published autobiographies not only to tell or to clarify the stories of their lives but also to educate others in an effort to gain greater acceptance for trans people. Many of the early autobiographies were written by trans women, whose gender identities had been revealed by the press. Forced into the media spotlight because they were trans, their work often served as a response to the stereotypes and misinformation circulated about their experiences. In the 2000s, trans male autobiographies became more commonplace. Although comparatively fewer autobiographies have been published by nonbinary trans individuals, a growing number of such works in the 2010s, along with relatively more works by trans people of color and trans youth, have led to better representation of the diversity of trans identities.