Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit Resources

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

The library has a significant collection of materials on or written by transgender, non-binary, and two-spirit people. This research guide is designed to provide access to these sources, as well as to highlight significant external resources including, but not limited to: videos, websites, online articles, legal documents and blog entries. The materials are selected to meet the information needs of all library users - a parent trying to better understand their transgender child; a two-spirited individual seeking shared experiences through memoirs; a trans person wanting to know how to legally change their name; or a researcher pursuing knowledge and current awareness of gender.

Advocacy Organizations

QMUNITY - BC's Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Resource Centre

An LGBTQ online resource portal and community centre located in Vancouver's Davie Village neighbourhood.

Trans Care BC

The Provincial Health Services Authority's (PHSA) comprehensive resource on transgender health designed for trans people in BC as well as healthcare professionals.

Egale Canada

One of Canada’s leading organizations for LGBTQI2S people and provides legal advocacy for human rights among many other systems of support.

The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD)

Promotes diversity in gender identity, gender expression, and romantic and/or sexual orientation in all its forms on a national level through services in the areas of education, health, and advocacy.

The Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health (CPATH)

Offers support for healthcare professionals and a pathway for trans individuals to access healthcare providers.

World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)

The international organization responsible for producing the "Standards of Care" publication used by healthcare providers to ensure the health of their patients.

Useful Websites

PBS Independent Lens - World Map of Gender Diverse Cultures

A map of societies around the globe who have long-established traditions for third, fourth, fifth, or more genders.

Recommended Titles

Gender: A Graphic Guide

Meg-John Barker

Call Number

305.3 B25g

Tackling current debates and tensions around ideas about masculinity and femininity, to non-binary and trans genders, Barker and Scheele explore how we might all approach gender in more caring and celebratory ways.

Gender Your Guide : A Gender-friendly Primer on What to Know, What to Say, and What to Do in the New Gender Culture

Lee Airton

Call Number

305.3 A29g

An excellent how-to-guide for learning all there is to know about being trans in today's society. One unique highlight is the author's instruction on how to be a good ally. Notes on what pronouns to use and when, how to advocate safely in one-on-one settings, and what to do if you make a mistake is included.

Seeing Gender An Illustrated Guide to Identity and Expression

Iris Gottlieb

Call Number

305.3 G68s

Gottlieb takes on the complexities of gender in the modern world through easy-to-digest writing, humor, and powerful illustrations

Indigiqueerness

Joshua Whitehead

Call Number

c828.W592i

Evolving from a conversation between Joshua Whitehead and Angie Abdou, Indigiqueerness is part dialogue, part collage, and part memoir.

Introduction to Transgender Studies

Ardel Haefele-Thomas

Call Number

306.768 H13i

Published as the first introductory textbook for transgender studies at the undergraduate level, Haefele-Thomas's comprehensive overview will also be of use to the general public.

Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit Resources