Build Your Gender Diversity Toolbox
(A version of this article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of the Professional Editors Network’s Networking News.)
In recent years, editors have overwhelmingly accepted that the singular they is legitimate, acceptable, and here to stay. Our style guides and institutions are coming around to more trans-inclusive and less gender essentialist language. Many of us work to support trans and nonbinary readers, clients, and colleagues.
That’s all to be celebrated. It’s also just the beginning.
The list below is an invitation to dive ever deeper into gender diversity, trans experiences, queer communities, and life and language beyond the gender binary. Come on in; the water’s fine!
If You Just Want to Read a Book
How to Understand Your Gender: A Practical Guide for Exploring Who You Are, Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker: I’m cheating here, because this is not a book you ‘just read’: it’s full of prompts for self-reflection as well as information about terminology and the big beautiful range of gender identities and expressions. It’s a lovely opportunity for anyone, of any gender, to think more deeply about this part of our lives.
Language and Linguistics
“Pronoun Studies” article series, Kirby Conroy: Eleven short, informative, and irreverent articles on “the linguistics of gendered pronouns, meant for regular folks and linguists alike.” Start with “Pronouns 102: How to Stop Messing Up Pronouns,” or scan the list for whatever strikes your fancy.
“How To Affirm the People in Your Life Who Use Multiple Sets of Pronouns,” Wren Sanders, Them: Many editors who are comfortable with the singular they still feel out of their depth when a character or real person uses multiple sets of pronouns. This piece, and one of the “Pronoun Studies” articles, can help!
“Pronouns. Little Words, Big Jobs,” Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne, Lingthusiasm: In this podcast episode, two linguists talk English-language pronouns, including issues relevant for editors working with LGBTQIA+ fiction.
Episodes tagged “Gender,” Helen Zaltzman, The Allusionist: If you enjoy stories about language and its quirks, try this one out. Start with “Parents” or “Dude,” or scan the list for topics ranging across multiple languages and cultures.
Trans Lives
Gender Reveal, Tuck Woodstock: An extraordinary collection of trans voices and stories. There are an overwhelming number of episodes, so check out their handy Starter Packs (organized by topic), or start with “Gender 101 Revisited.”
Podcast enthusiasts can also try Imara Jones's TransLash, Alex Iantaffi’s Gender Stories, and Caitlin Benedict and Amrou Al-Kadhi’s NB.
“Gender at the Gaming Table,” M. Grant, Monster Darlings: This thoughtful and detailed essay series is written for cis people who want to run more inclusive roleplaying games. You definitely don’t have to be a Dungeon Master to find these useful, though; they cover material relevant to making all sorts of spaces and stories more inclusive.
Memoir
Dip your toes into the complexities of individual lives with memoirs like the ones in this New York Public Library list or this one from Memorial Hall Library.
New anthologies of trans and nonbinary memoir are also published every year and offer readers a range of experiences. One such collection is Non-Binary Lives: An Anthology of Intersecting Identities, edited by Jos Twist, Ben Vincent, Meg-John Barker, and Kat Gupta.
Fiction
Fiction featuring gender diversity is another wonderful way to keep learning. For folks who struggle with the logistics of the singular they, neopronouns (like xe/xir), or one person using multiple pronoun sets, reading an entire novel that uses those grammatical forms can really help normalize and establish them. Search for “nonbinary” or “trans” and your preferred pleasure-reading genre to find just the right books for you, or check out these broader lists:
I encourage everyone to pick one or two resources that sound intriguing and jump right in…then just keep diving. The additional depth and breadth of understanding on offer can make us all better language professionals, colleagues, and humans living in the world.
That’s all to be celebrated. It’s also just the beginning.
The list below is an invitation to dive ever deeper into gender diversity, trans experiences, queer communities, and life and language beyond the gender binary. Come on in; the water’s fine!
If You Just Want to Read a Book
How to Understand Your Gender: A Practical Guide for Exploring Who You Are, Alex Iantaffi and Meg-John Barker: I’m cheating here, because this is not a book you ‘just read’: it’s full of prompts for self-reflection as well as information about terminology and the big beautiful range of gender identities and expressions. It’s a lovely opportunity for anyone, of any gender, to think more deeply about this part of our lives.
Language and Linguistics
“Pronoun Studies” article series, Kirby Conroy: Eleven short, informative, and irreverent articles on “the linguistics of gendered pronouns, meant for regular folks and linguists alike.” Start with “Pronouns 102: How to Stop Messing Up Pronouns,” or scan the list for whatever strikes your fancy.
“How To Affirm the People in Your Life Who Use Multiple Sets of Pronouns,” Wren Sanders, Them: Many editors who are comfortable with the singular they still feel out of their depth when a character or real person uses multiple sets of pronouns. This piece, and one of the “Pronoun Studies” articles, can help!
“Pronouns. Little Words, Big Jobs,” Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne, Lingthusiasm: In this podcast episode, two linguists talk English-language pronouns, including issues relevant for editors working with LGBTQIA+ fiction.
Episodes tagged “Gender,” Helen Zaltzman, The Allusionist: If you enjoy stories about language and its quirks, try this one out. Start with “Parents” or “Dude,” or scan the list for topics ranging across multiple languages and cultures.
Trans Lives
Gender Reveal, Tuck Woodstock: An extraordinary collection of trans voices and stories. There are an overwhelming number of episodes, so check out their handy Starter Packs (organized by topic), or start with “Gender 101 Revisited.”
Podcast enthusiasts can also try Imara Jones's TransLash, Alex Iantaffi’s Gender Stories, and Caitlin Benedict and Amrou Al-Kadhi’s NB.
“Gender at the Gaming Table,” M. Grant, Monster Darlings: This thoughtful and detailed essay series is written for cis people who want to run more inclusive roleplaying games. You definitely don’t have to be a Dungeon Master to find these useful, though; they cover material relevant to making all sorts of spaces and stories more inclusive.
Memoir
Dip your toes into the complexities of individual lives with memoirs like the ones in this New York Public Library list or this one from Memorial Hall Library.
New anthologies of trans and nonbinary memoir are also published every year and offer readers a range of experiences. One such collection is Non-Binary Lives: An Anthology of Intersecting Identities, edited by Jos Twist, Ben Vincent, Meg-John Barker, and Kat Gupta.
Fiction
Fiction featuring gender diversity is another wonderful way to keep learning. For folks who struggle with the logistics of the singular they, neopronouns (like xe/xir), or one person using multiple pronoun sets, reading an entire novel that uses those grammatical forms can really help normalize and establish them. Search for “nonbinary” or “trans” and your preferred pleasure-reading genre to find just the right books for you, or check out these broader lists:
- “Staff Picks: Trans, Nonbinary, and GNC Reads for Adults,” New York Public Library
- “44 Notable Debuts by Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Non-Conforming Authors,” Jen St. Jude, Chicago Review of Books
- “Must-Read Books by Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming Authors,” Penguin Random House
I encourage everyone to pick one or two resources that sound intriguing and jump right in…then just keep diving. The additional depth and breadth of understanding on offer can make us all better language professionals, colleagues, and humans living in the world.