Transgender people of color face heavy amounts of discrimination and oppression. In order to be proper allies, it is important that we give visibility to these people who must deal with the societal norms that threaten their well-being every day. Here are 7 spectacular books written about and by trans people of color to add to your #TBR. 

I’m Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya

Vivek Shraya recounts her journey growing up as a trans woman and the emotional labors she had to endure in order to survive. I’m Afraid of Men sheds light on the traumas that trans people, particularly trans women of color, must cope with and the fearfulness in being transgender. 


Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

Kacen Callender highlights the life of a transgender male teen as he deals with romantic feelings and combatting a transphobic bully. Felix Ever After is an essential book for LGBTQ teens and young adults struggling with their identities and falling in love. See our Q&A with the author here.


Born Both: An Intersex Life by Hida Viloria

Hida Viloria writes on his/her process in coming to terms with his/her intersex identity and gender fluidity. Viloria was raised a girl despite his/her body traits that do not fit the mold of one particular gender. Born Both is Viloria’s experience in assuming a variety of identities while simultaneously aiming to fight for the human rights of those who are intersex. 


An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

An excitingly vivid science fiction novel, An Unkindness of Ghosts takes readers into space as a collection of diverse characters of multiple identities and races journey to the “Promised Land.” Rivers Solomon incorporates modern social and political issues into sci-fi as they address race and discrimination as well as fascism. 


The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation by Jodie Patterson

Jodie Patterson writes for the mothers of transgender children in The Bold World, a memoir that tells the story of how she raised her trans son. Patterson opens up conversation about race, gender and identity as she unravels the process of reforming her perspective and becoming an ally to her son. 


For Today I Am A Boy by Kim Fu

For Today I Am A Boy is a coming-of-age tale about the only son in a Chinese family of all daughters, and how he actually identifies as a girl. Pressured by his immigrant father’s traditional views on legacy and masculinity, this novel tells Peter Huang’s story of coming to terms with identity in a darkly-humored, emotionally-rich manner. 


Queer and Trans Artists of Color: Stories of Some of Our Lives by Nia King

Nia King gives a platform to 16 different queer and trans artists of color as she interviews them and documents their personal anecdotes. From a queer Playboy intern, to a Black drag queen, the people highlighted in this book not only share stories of their lives, but tips on how to make it in the art world. An informative read loaded with important terminology, it is a must-read for any LGBTQ person in the art scene and anyone wanting to learn more about queer and trans culture.