Trans and Disabled: An Anthology of Identities and Experiences

by Alex Iantaffi (Editor)

To be trans and disabled means to have experienced harassment, discrimination, loneliness, often poverty, to have struggled with feeling unworthy of love.

To be trans and disabled means experiencing ableism within our trans communities and transphobia within our disabled communities.

To be trans and disabled means to love our fellow trans and disabled people harder than we could ever love ourselves.

This anthology brings together vulnerable stories, poems, plays, drawings, and personal essays. They explore how we make sense of ourselves, our intersections of identities and experiences, of how we are treated, and how much love we are capable of, sometimes even for ourselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Disability, Queer, Transgender, Anthologies, LGBT, Essays

160 pages, Paperback

Published January 21, 2025

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from netgalley in exchange for a review.

As a trans (not quite disabled, but also not quite not disabled - still figuring it out) person with many trans and disabled friends I knew I had to pick this book up and I knew it would make me cry. I also did tear up a bit already reading the introduction, which especially mentions the way oppression grew during the Covid-19 pandemic as certain lives where once again declared “expendable”. As someone who finally dove into Disability Studies during exactly this time, this is a sentiment I have already seen reflected all around us and so it just started off very strong and emotional for me.
I truly love the cover and I was super excited to dive into this anthology. As a very personal collection of works by and for trans and disabled creators this certainly delivers an interesting collection of short memoirs, essays, poems and artwork of creators who are both transgender and disabled. While the quality of the pieces differs, as does the length and genre (we have some poems that are barely a page long and some rather academic essays in here as well as some very personal musings on the intersection of systems of oppressions) there weren’t any pieces I actively disliked. There were some where I couldn’t take as much with me as I had hoped I would, but most of them described quite interesting experiences and either left me thinking about it or felt relateable to me. I also enjoyed how many different disabilities where features in this anthology (from various neurotypes and plurality to invisible disabilities like ME/CFS to diabetes and various mobility aid users there’s a lot here). My favorite pieces where Loving with defiance: breaking a binary, not a b1n0ry by Kitty Lu Bear, I am transgender and my disability is not a cautionary tale by Finlay Games, Mimicry by Jonathan Eden, What are we worth? by Lee K Hulme and Who fights for us… by Lior Effinger-Weintraub.
Unfortunately, this book missed a crucial opportunity by not including the voices of disabled trans women and only featuring one person that identifies as transfeminine. Discussions of transmisogyny and how it related to medical mistreatment of disabled trans women was thus not featured at all, which I feel is a great oversight, as that is a field of medical misogyny that is rarely examined and should have rightfully belonged in this anthology. All texts that focus on medical maltreatment focus instead on afab transgender people and while this form of sexism in medicine needs to be examined, it does not feel right to me to read an anthology that claims to provide an insight into the experiences of transgender people, when a huge percentage of them doesn’t even get a place to speak. I also think a deeper examination on race and its compounding effect on marginalizations could have been intriguing, as that was only mentioned in very few pieces. This has cost it a star in my rating and so only manages to achieve a 3 star rating.
All in all, I enjoyed this anthology despite its shortcomings and I do hope for more examinations of the overlaps of being transgender and disabled and how these two aspects of identity can compound oppressions we face.

Plural, trans and disabled by Meg-John Barker: The first essay is both very academic and very personal, examining the way different and overlapping disabilities can make it hard to differentiate certain symptoms and aspects of disabilities. It also draws parallels between being plural, trans and disabled and functions as a really interesting introductory text to this anthology.
Embodying (in)valid identities: balancing betwixt and between being “enough” by Shanna Katz Kattari: A short text examining the author’s existence as an autistic nonbinary trans fat femme, with a focus on joy through fashion and self-expression and the overlap between autistic joy, trans joy and disability accessibility of certain types of clothes. It was really interesting and something that I sometimes witnessed for the disabled femmes in my life.
Intersectionalities by Jeong Eun Park: This essay explores various the discriminations faced as a disabled, agender, Asian person and how varying levels of (in)visibility influence their daily life. It is very personal and very interesting in giving a short view into Jeong Eun Park’s life, but it doesn’t manage to really tie the various parts it brings up together and so felt unfinished to me.
Ordinary by Atlas Oggún Phoenix: This piece features both an introduction to and the actual text to a piece of performance art about identity and skin. I really enjoyed reading this and I really enjoyed imagining the way it must look performed.
I can’t keep meeting me like this by Coltan J. Schoenike: This essay explores uncovering new parts of yourself, grieving for the time you lost by not realizing it sooner, but also embracing it and looking to the future with hope.
Beast of Burden by Silas Bourns: A short poem about a transmasculine person/trans man, about personhood and how it can change by leaving the societally instructed role of womanhood. Intriguing, but it is only a single page long and I wish there had been a bit more.
*FAV* Loving with defiance: breaking a binary, not a b1n0ry by Kitty Lu Bear: A really interesting and personal text about being trans and disabled in a multitude of ways. I found the part about using they/them pronouns especially to express plurality fascinating, but I also quite enjoyed this text otherwise, the way it plays with language and incorporates mathematics and just feels delightfully transMad in its use of language. Definitely one of the highlights of this anthology for me!
Self-portrait by Mya Saracho: A short text about identity and embracing yourself, including a stunning self-portrait for the author.
Liminal by Alex Iantaffi: This text explores the author’s identity, particularly their gender and disability and I especially found their inclusion of their experience with fatphobia interesting and important.
Do no harm by Eddy Samara: A heartbreaking poem about misgendering in a medical context and the balance act disabled trans people have to thread when you have to choose between being respected and receiving medical care.
*FAV* I am transgender and my disability is not a cautionary tale by Finlay Games: In this text the author examines the way people sometimes blame a trans persons’ disability on the choices they made to transition. I also enjoyed how he examined the various things cis people have said to him to discredit his gender, while examining the extra risk trans people face in medical settings and the way transphobia makes trans people more likely to develop chronic illnesses.
TW for discussions of suicide and self harm
Swimming westward away by Lawrence Lorraine Mullen: a very short poem
Bathroom buzz cut by Liz Moore: A text about changes in hairstyle as influenced by queerness, gender and disability, the joy and grief of it.
What I remember by Maxwell Colletti Vonraven: In this essay the author examines his experiences post brain surgery and how he and his partner were (mis)treated by the medical system. This is an absolutely enraging text and I just felt so happy to read that at least the author had his partner by his side a lot of times. As someone who knows the trans broken arm syndrome already, I am glad that this text also explained the syndrome to people who may not be familiar.
New disease by Nova Larkin Schrage: A really intriguing poem about gender and disability and falling outside of binaries
COVID-19, self-revelations and the resilience of intersectional online community by Jac of Gendermeowster: This essay explores the ways people formed online communities during the beginning of the pandemic, various coming outs during the initial lockdown and the way online spaces are often uniquely accessible to disabled and queer people.
Deeply plussed by T Boris-Schacter: In this essay the author explores growing up with Diabetes Type-1 and how their aversion to technology to handle it due to bad experiences when they were a kid have finally started to change as well as their steps towards gender affirming surgery.
Do I qualify for love by Atlas Oggún Phoenix: In this essay the author examines their experience of childhood abuse and their experiences with love. This was really heartbreaking.
TW: suicide attempt, childhood abuse
*Fav* Mimicry by Jonathan Eden: This essay examines the cost of trying to fit in, the reasons for doing so, but also the dangers of having to engage in mimicry as the author calls it. There’s also some really cool art in this piece and I enjoy the exploration of the overlapping experiences of having to pass as cis and non-disabled.
Give us our roses by Ollie Millerhoff: As a person who still masks in order not to get sick while having to work retail this is a deeply relatable essay. It examines being disabled now when most people have taken off their masks and the topic of early death with both disproportionally affects transgender and disabled people.
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian by Root Holden: A short look at an art piece of Saint Sebastian and a reclamation of him as a figurehead for queer and disabled people. Interesting and I enjoyed the art.
*Fav* What are we worth? by Lee K Hulme: This is mostly a love letter to the caring and supportive partner of a trans and disabled person and I think it is an incredibly touching essay. A relationship like that should be common, but obviously, way too many trans and disabled (and especially if it overlaps) people are told they are too much or otherwise undesirable, so reading this was very lovely.
A love story by Milo Cooper: A love letter to a future self, very emotional and touching and sweet
Bender by H Howitt: A short essay examining the overlap of EDS, AuDHD and being transgender. I found it very interesting to consider EDS as a potential form of Neuroqueerness due to how often it overlaps with queerness and neurodivergence.
*FAV* Who fights for us… by Lior Effinger-Weintraub: This essay examines the (in)accessibility of many protests, especially now past covid and how draining it can feel to try and be active against oppression when various oppressions intersect and make certain forms of activism inaccessible for you.

[Leia Sedai · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book offers a valuable range of voices, shedding light on the intersection of gender and disability. While the stories are heartfelt and informative, the uneven quality of contributions and lack of deeper analysis left me wanting more cohesion. It’s a good starting point, but it needed stronger editorial guidance and more cohesive writing from the contributors to be fully effective in its messaging. Ultimately, the contributions were not written in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to read more. I Dnf'd around 35% in.


***Thank you Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review. ***

[Abbrosy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing anthology from all sorts of trans + disabled people. I recommend this book for everyone. I’ve just gotten a new, depressing, diagnosis and this book was like being surrounded by the people I need right now. I hope all the trans + disabled folks that read it will feel that similar sense of belonging, being seen, and being believed. I will be asking my library to bring in this book and I’ll also be buying a physical copy!!

[Stephanie Gillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Rounded up for me. It's how any anthology goes for me, some parts I love and others I don't vibe with. The beginning was rough for me, reading like a textbook, but once I got to the more personal stories I connected more with the authors. I'm not much for poetry so I would lose a bit there again but I did find more often than not I was making an emotional connection with what these authors were bringing to the anthology. In particular:
- I am transgender & my disability is not a cautionary tale by Finlay Games
- What I Remember by Colletti von Raven
- Bathroom Buzzcut by Liz Moore
- Covid 19, Self Revelations, and the Resilience of Intersectional Online Community by Jac of GenderMeowster
- I Can't Keep Meeting Me Like This - Coltan J. Schoenike
- Deeply Plussed by T Boris-Schacter
- Mimicry - by Jonathan Eden
- What Are We Worth? by Lee K. Hulme
- Bender by H. Howitt
- Who Fights For Us by Lio Effinger-Weintraub

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This is a book I need to have a physical copy of just to read through once in a while.
I found myself in this book in unexpected ways.
I loved all the different formats and how every person's personality shone through in multiple ways. It felt like a warm hug, even though it's laced with pain and heartbreak.
Community is so so so important.
Genuinely the only downside is it being so short, I'd have loved to read twice as many stories and poems and essays. Thank you for this book and thank you to NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.

[Makayla Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up for me.

Although I struggle with non fiction without an audio, I did enjoy reading people’s personal stories. As a disabled person, there was a lot I resonated with. The art work was a cool touch.

Overall if you like non fiction, give it a try.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: With three focal points – ‘Who We Are’, ‘Being (Treated) Differently’, and ‘Loving Ourselves and Each Other’ – this anthology explores the intersections of transness, disability, and neurodivergence. It discusses how trans identity affects treatment and care for disabilities and vice versa, how trans, disabled, and neurodivergent identities collectively shape an individual’s relationship with their body and sense of self, the way ableism and sanism feed transphobia and transphobia feeds back into them in turn, and many other ways transness and disability impact each other. It opens the floor to varied voices and experiences exploring broad definitions of trans and disabled identity in the varied media of essays, poetry, plays, and visual art.

Reflections: As with most collections and certainly one with such variety in style and tone, this had its ups and downs. With 25 pieces (plus the introduction), there were some that I could not engage with, whether I felt the metaphors to be shoddy or the ideas underdeveloped or they just didn’t click with me. I do imagine, with the vast variations in trans and disabled experiences and even vaster and more complicated ways in which they intersect, that there is somebody who would relate to, be moved by, or learn from each piece.
To keep it simple, I’ll highlight just a few that I enjoyed:

“Plural, trans and disabled” by Meg-John Barker was one of the sections with one of the more academic lilts to it. It addressed some of the frameworks for understanding disability and its place within social justice movements. Mixing in a personal perspective, they also show how plurality opens up different viewpoints on understanding gender and the ‘self’ in its entirety.

Through the lens of hair styling “Bathroom buzz cut” by Liz Moore explores the balancing act that can come from seeking comfort with one's body as a disabled person and euphoria in one's expression as a trans person as well as assumptions that come from people seeing only pieces of the equation. Specifically, I was struck by their portrayal of the emotions around one’s abilities to self-express changing or restricting.

In the poem “Do No Harm” by Eddy Samara, Samara demonstrates how engaging with the healthcare system often leads to more instances of one’s identity being invalidated or dismissed and creates an environment where the patient's vulnerability makes asserting themself or correcting this behavior especially difficult or dangerous.

My one real disappointment with this collection is the noticeable lack of trans women contributors. I can give leniency in understanding that one short, indie anthology cannot encompass every corner of the gender spectrum or every experience of disability, but trans women are such a prominent part of the trans community that I cannot find myself extending this excuse that far. This absence might not subtract from the value or my appreciation of any piece within this collection, but to me, it does take away something from the anthology as a whole.

[elbow ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
this is a really fantastic and diverse collection of essays, art and poetry from trans and disabled individuals. there is a myriad of different perspectives on both transness and disability in this collection, and the pieces are organised well to ensure good flow throughout the book. it's clear that the editor put a lot of effort into this project, as well as into uplifting diverse voices within these two communities. standouts for me included Bathroom buzz cut and COVID-19, self-revelations, and the resilience of intersectional online community.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology is especially interesting to me because it covers a lot of ground, and a lot of very different ground. Although some pieces really spoke to me, I will admit that I disliked others because they included things I don't fully understand or outright disagree with. But even the parts that I didn't like or agree with were still valuable to read.

I recommend a book like this to anyone, because even though you might not understand or agree with everything in it, it's important to always challenge ourselves. For most people, this book will open you to new ways of thinking.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book.

[Ge · Rating 5 out of 5]

a powerful collection of stories, essays, plays and poetry from a diverse group of disabled trans+ people. each chapter highlights a trans+ disabled person's voice on the complexities of living as a disabled trans+ person in a world that is hostile to disabled & trans people. it explores hope & strength & solidarity in fighting back and building a better future. this is such an important book, both for helping disabled trans+ people to feel seen and less alone, and for educating trans & disabled allies <3


huge thanks to netgalley for an arc of this book

[emile · Rating 3 out of 5]

As all anthologies, some contributions resonate more than others. Still, the overall collection challenges conventional narratives of normalcy, and serves as a reminder that those who exist at the intersection of transness and disability deserve to exist fully, expansively, and unapologetically.

“To be trans and disabled means to love our fellow trans and disabled people harder than we could ever love ourselves.”

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[des · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an eye opening read and very interesting. I think non fiction books are not always something for me but this subject interests me so I was happy to read this. Every story and voice is so different yet it works well together. I loved reading about everyone's thoughts and experiences and I think a lot of people should read this book.

* I received an arc from the publisher and netgalley and wrote this review voluntarily.

[Dyl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting anthology of a range of accounts and experiences of the intersectionality of being trans and disabled. Stories and anecdotes are told in ways that make sense to a person with no experience or knowledge, and others are told in ways that would probably only resonate with those who understand it - but it is still their story. Some really positive pieces about change and acceptance contrasts with stories of powerlessness and frustration. Two words: trans and disabled, mean a whole lot more than meets the eye.

Thank you so much to Net Galley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

[Anwen Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Review via an ARC from JKP via Netgalley)

This was a really interesting one. I've read most of the anthologies that Jessica Kingsley Publishers have put out, and I always find them to be expansive and illuminating; they always do a good job highlighting marginalised perspectives and experiences, and have a real commitment to elevating own voices narratives. Big fan, basically.

There was an awful lot to appreciate in this latest anthology. As multiple contributors point out in their essays, the intersections between the trans and disabled communities are vast, both in terms of common lived experiences shared by both communities, such as medical gaslighting and systemic social murder (i.e. unnatural deaths caused by oppressive social policies) and the sheer number of individuals who share both identities. It's a really welcome addition to the canon of queer and crip lit to have an anthology designed to explore that intersection.

This particular anthology seeks to explore a fairly diverse range of topics, from the relationship between EDS and autism, the 'trans broken arm' theory as it intersects with ableism, and plurality as a neuroqueer model for understanding disability and trans experiences. It generally does a good job in avoiding repetition, although I definitely think that the lack of trans femme and specifically trans women contributors is an issue; the majority of contributors to this anthology are AFAB non-binary folk, which may in itself be linked to the increased medical gaslighting experienced by people who are perceived to be women by the medical industry, but which might also just be a bit of an editorial oversight. Either way, I did think that a broader range of experiences and identities could and should have been represented here. The ways that trans women experience transmisogyny in the medical sphere wasn't touched upon at all here, and neither was the specific ways that people of colour are disbelieved in medical contexts, and I did find those omissions to be a little glaring. It undercut the overall goals of the anthology, imo.

As always, some essays were more interesting (and more well-written) than others. Most of them have a really easy to read conversational style, which makes this a fairly quick read. My particular favourites were Meg John Barker's essay on plurality, Finlay Games' essay on the way that society blames his disability on his trans affirmative surgeries, and Milo Cooper's essay to his future self. I also found Root Holden's essay on Saint Sebastian as a queer icon to be incredibly fruitful, but it was so brief - about half a page! - that it felt like a real missed opportunity. There was one piece of writing in particular, which I won't name here, which was genuinely just word salad, and which I think needed a lot more editorial oversight to bring the author's meaning out. Another piece just seemed like an advert for the author's YouTube channel, complete with multiple video links, which I thought was a tad inappropriate. The range of mediums here is also interesting, including essays, prose, poetry, a play, and some artwork, although I do think that the artwork might only really work in the print version of the book.

Overall, a genuinely insightful anthology, and which makes and raises a lot of really interesting points. It's especially relevant now, in our current post-Covid political climate, where more and more people are becoming disabled without any real improvement in society's willingness to accommodate disabilities, and in which trans people are becoming more and more marginalised due to governmental scapegoating. There's a lot in here that should really be more widely known and understood.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a beat to get through this slim collection of essays from a variety of queer, trans, neurodiverse and differently abled authors but they are all excellent, shining a light on the intersectionalities and both the diversity and commonalities of their lived experiences.

Some standouts for me included, Do no harm, What I remember, Mimicry, What are we worth, Bender and Who fights for us. So many touched on life during the pandemic and the ways it was both good for the disability community and made life more difficult at the same time as well as the extra challenges associated with getting medical care for disabled trans people.

I especially enjoyed seeing how often neurodiversity and disability were linked for the writers in this volume. I can't recommend this book enough and I loved how it ends with the following sentiment:

"We raise our voices to gather all who care about our collective humanity. We build a future that will survive beyond fighting. And through our actions, we offer society healing, even when we ourselves are not fully healed from its oppression."

[Ailey | Bisexual Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Personhood is conditional; monstrosity is a bed you sleep in for eternity.”

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! This collection releases on January 21st, 2025 in the US from Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

There is a raw, undeniable power in Trans and Disabled: An Anthology of Identities and Experiences, edited by Alex Iantaffi. This collection of essays offers a deeply personal and politically urgent exploration of what it means to exist at the intersection of transness and disability, a space where visibility is both necessary and dangerous, where care is often conditional, and where survival itself is an act of defiance. Through lyrical prose, philosophical musings, and candid reflections, the contributors dismantle binaries, reject imposed hierarchies, and carve out space for identities that refuse to be neatly categorized.

One of the most striking themes of the anthology is the pervasive sense of unbelonging—both in medical settings and within broader social structures. Many of the authors grapple with the ways cisgenderism and ableism work in tandem to deny them adequate care, understanding, and legitimacy. The essays expose the exhausting reality of having to “prove” one’s gender and disability to systems that fundamentally distrust lived experience. Impostor syndrome, the burden of masking, and the relentless pressure to conform to normative expectations weave through the narratives, illustrating how trans disabled people are often made to feel as though they are fabricating their own realities.

Yet, amidst this struggle, there is also a profound celebration of fluidity. These essays embrace the shapeshifting nature of identity—of gender, of ability, of self-perception. The authors resist the pathologization of their existence, instead offering a vision of transness and disability as sites of expansive possibility rather than limitation. Through metaphors of galaxies, bending light, and the tension between structure and movement, they articulate the beauty of liminality, of being in constant conversation with oneself and the world.

H Howitt’s essay stood out to me in particular, offering a deeply resonant meditation on the relationship between queerness, neurodivergence, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). As someone who shares those intersections, I found their exploration of hypermobility as both a physical and existential state profoundly moving. The way they frame EDS as a neuro(queer) identity—one that resists rigidity while still yearning for stability—perfectly encapsulates the paradox of existing in a bodymind that is simultaneously boundless and fragile.

Trans and Disabled is not just an anthology—it is an offering, an act of defiance, and a testament to the resilience of those who live at the crossroads of transness and disability. It is a necessary read for anyone seeking to understand, and more importantly, to affirm and uplift these voices. In a world that so often insists on erasure, this collection insists on presence. And that, in itself, is revolutionary.

📖 Recommended For: Readers who appreciate introspective, lyrical prose; those interested in the intersection of transness and disability; anyone who values personal narratives on identity, community, and resilience; fans of Eli Clare and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha.

🔑 Key Themes: Medical Neglect and Institutional Barriers, Masking and Impostor Syndrome, Fluidity of Identity, Community and Mutual Aid, Resistance to Binaries and Hierarchies.

Content / Trigger Warnings: Medical Trauma (minor), Pandemic (minor), Mental Illness (minor), Racism (minor), Child Abuse (severe), Suicidal Thoughts (minor), Sexual Violence (minor), Transphobia (minor), Self Harm (minor), Medical Content (minor), Suicide Attempt (minor).

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Trans and Disabled is an anthology of writing and art. This writing takes a wide variety of forms, and is authored by a wide variety of trans and disabled people.

“More than anything, I wanted to be free from the expectation to be anything other than who I was, and to be able to exist in a self that was varied and sometimes incomprehensible to others.”

As a queer and disabled person I adored this collection! I found not only recognition in these pages, but also learnt from all the different points of view covered. I loved the variety in age of the authors, which contributes to the intersectionality of this book. I've collected so many quotes from this anthology, and have talked about it with many queer and disabled friends.

"Despite all of the struggle, there is still such beauty in knowing who you are. In finding the words that slide over you and perfectly click. The labels that fill every nook and cranny, eliminating the void of being unknown to yourself. When we find ourselves, in language and in community, it feels like coming home."

Every piece of writing is different, so not every piece might resonate with you, but you can still learn from every single word written. When I started reading this book I was not as familiar with plurality. Luckily Trans and Disabled opens with information on this topic. It was a great idea to make this the first piece you read, because it lays a foundation for what is yet to come.

I read this anthology a few chapters a day, one at a time, because honestly it can be a lot to be confronted with some of the cruel realities laid bare in these pages. But I also loved taking my time so I could reflect on each story. I also see myself returning to this anthology in the future, because I feel there are even deeper layers that can be discovered upon re-reading.

"If you're reading this as a cisgender and/or an abled person, please do not look for inspiration here or for our courage and resilience; this is not what our lives are for, and neither are these pages. I hope, however, that you can find expansion within your mind and heart through these pages."

I would recommend this anthology to every, single person on this earth that is the appropriate age to read this and can handle the trigger warning topics. It is not only a way for trans and/or disabled people to feel validated, but also an important learning tool for people who do not personally identify with these identities. This marginalized community does not only deserve recognition, they deserve justice. Having more knowledge on these subjects can help cis and able-bodied people help fight for a more equitable world.

TW for a wide variety of topics, including: ableism, child abuse, fatphobia, medical abuse, medical endangerment, medical neglect, PTSD, racism, self harm, suicidal ideation and attempts.

Thank you Jessica Kingsley Publishers and Alex Iantaffi et al. for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the Trans Rights Readathon and I'm so glad I picked this up.


This collection of essays and stories about trans disabled people was so amazing to read as a fellow trans and disabled person. I've read some stories about trans disabled people before like Care Work from Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, but reading an anthology with so many varied disabled voices was amazing. The topics of the book was also so varied from celebration to poetry and essays and together it made for a very beautiful mix.


One of the stories that stood by me was the one by Finlay Games for multiple reasons. I was actually already familiar with Finlay as I read his phalloplasty memoir before my own bottom surgery. His bottom surgery though happened before he got diagnosed with ME/CFS so that book doesn't touch upon disability at all. At one point in his piece Games talks about the fact that people sometimes ask if his being trans might have contributed to being sick. After my own bottom surgery that I had in December last year I quite significantly worsened from the hit it gave to my already chronically ill body. Sometimes people ask me if it was worth worsening, sometimes I wonder if it was worth worsening for it. However one quote by Games stood by me as the truest answer to this issue.

"Had I not transitioned, I wouldn't have ME/CFS because I would not be alive."


It was a sentence that made me come to the realization that it is quite the same for me. That yes I worsened over it. But had I not gotten my bottom surgery instead, I would not be able to be happily alive in any way.


The first story about being plural and disabled also really able to look into a live of others. I have a few trans plural friends that I love chatting with. But it's not their obligation to teach me about how plurality works, and I feel like by reading this story I got to look into the life of someone similar and maybe get a bit better understanding how such a life may shape.

The piece about covid-19 of Jac of GENDERMEOWSTER was also something that really hit me hard. FInding covid aware places nowadays is a struggle and wearing a mask is something most don't understand around me. But seeing others talk about how covid still impacts them always makes me feel less alone.


Concluding this was an anthology with many different voices on trans disability and I would recommend this for every trans and/or queer person to read more about your community.


I received this eARC through Netgalley and this was my honest review.

[Eu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trans and Disabled, edited by Alex Iantaffi (they/he/lui), is a collection of essays, poetry, artwork, and other creative pieces by people who fall into the myriad intersectional identities of 'trans' and 'disabled,' however each creator personally defines and experiences those terms. The anthology is divided into three parts: "Who we are," "Being (treated) different," and "Loving Ourselves and Each Other." These pieces are intended first and foremost for those who also fall under the 'trans and disabled' umbrella, so that readers in possible isolation can feel seen, heard, loved, and in solidarity with others who can truly empathize with mobility struggles, gender euphoria, and invisible disabilities, among many other lived experiences. This is a short book, less than two hundred pages, but each entry is powerful and poignant, each voice not to be ignored.

It is difficult to put a numerical rating to real peoples' true struggles and authentic stories, so I can only offer my gratitude to and appreciation for these creators, who were willing to be open and vulnerable to strangers, especially in the current political climate. You are hear, you are important, and you deserve the space(s) you inhabit, no matter how many spoons you have on any given day. Thank you for sharing your stories, and for paving the way for those who will come afterward. For any readers who may have questions about intersectionality, this book is a perfect example of how various identities intersect and overlap, both in society and in life.

For those interested in further essays by trans individuals, try To My Trans Sisters edited by Charlie Craggs, To Be a Trans Man edited by Ezra Woodger, and Nonbinary: Memoirs of Gender and Identity edited by Micah Rajunov and Scott Duane. For those interested in true stories by disabled LGBTQIA+ creators and advocates, try Sipping Dom Pérignon Through a Straw by Eddie Ndopu, and Matthew and Paul and Jessica Kellgren-Fozard on YouTube/other social media. For those interested in trans/queer disabled characters in fiction, try The Sweetness Between Us by Sarah Winifred Searle and LoveBot by Chase Keels and Miranda Mundt.

[Lanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trans and Disabled: An Anthology of Identities and Experiences, edited by Alex Iantaffi, reads like being in a room surrounded by countless vulnerable conversations, each distinct from the next yet bound by the realities of life within an intersectional identity so often suppressed by the world. This anthology will no doubt change - and likely save - lives. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to read, review and share my love for it.
‘If you’re reading this as a trans and disabled person, I hope you find pieces of you in these pages, no matter how small, and if you feel lonely or isolated, maybe these pages might help you feel a little less so’ (from the introduction).

As a non-binary disabled person, I certainly found small pieces of myself scattered throughout these pages, particularly within reflections on a neuro(queer) identity and on the central theme of the cruciality of community. Within many essays, I undeniably saw traces of others in my community and, beyond that, I found myself learning so much from the range of experiences and identities so vastly different from my own.

Within this collection, you will find reflections on plurality and liminality, all the way through to rejection and defying binaries. Though this is undoubtedly a difficult and heart-wrenching read at times, I cannot recommend it widely enough. Collections such as this are how we grow and learn individually, yes, but more importantly, together. Essays such as these are a vital part of how we come together to build a safer, freer future for all.

I will end with a quote from Shanna Katz Kattari that perfectly encapsulates this book.
‘Despite all of the struggle, there is still such beauty in knowing who you are. In finding the words that slide over you and perfectly click. The labels that fill every nook and cranny, eliminating the void of being unknown to yourself. When we find ourselves, in language and in community, it feels like coming home’.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

CWs/TWs:
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Transphobia, and Medical content

[Moon Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Trans and Disabled, edited by Alex Iantaffi is a collection of essays, poetry, artwork, and other pieces by people who fall into the identities of 'trans' and 'disabled,' however each creator personally defines and experiences those terms. It is divided into three parts: "Who we are," "Being (treated) different," and "Loving Ourselves and Each Other."
These pieces are intended for and written about those who fall under the 'trans and disabled' umbrella, allowing us to feel seen, heard, loved, and in solidarity with others who can truly understand the struggles and joys of these lived experiences. This is a short book, but each piece is poignant.

However, I did not necessarily enjoy every entry. As a non-binary, disabled and neurodivergent person, I could definitely relate to a lot of the writing, and truly loved a fair few pieces and lines. But I am a young adult, and a lot of these entries are written by people who are 30-50, so a lot of the language almost seems to get lost in translation, terms that I don’t like are used and there is a lot of stereotypically queer aspects that I, as a young person, find to be what straight, abled people ridicule us for, (the usage of colour and glitter to describe queerness, assigning neo pronouns to cats, etc)

It is difficult to put a rating to real peoples' true struggles and authentic stories, so I can only offer my gratitude to and appreciation for these creators, and will be rating it highly for it’s diversity and readability. Vulnerability is something to be praised, especially in the current political climate.
Thank you for sharing your stories, and for paving the way for those to come.

It is worth a read, regardless of your gender, sexuality, ability and neurodiversity.

Thank you to Jessica Kingsley Publisher’s and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intersectionality of identities and how they affect each other, especially in terms of disability, is something I've been interested in for a while now, and I really appreciated the chance to read this anthology of different experiences talking about being trans and disabled, especially during lockdowns and the Covid-19 pandemic.

I found each essay interesting and thought-provoking, though there were some where I gelled more with the writing style than others. I did appreciate how each person was speaking from their own experience but they also made a point of reflecting on the greater impact on society/society's impact on them too. Given a lot of essays were about the fluidity of identity and the presentation of that to the world, it fit that a lot of the essays covered a wide range of trans and disabled identities (including people who had other identities outside of the two mentioned). And while the essays looked at life in general, such as fashion and self-expression, many of the essays did focus on healthcare and people's experiences in it. And while I had been expecting discussion about how they interacted with healthcare, some of these essays brought up issues which I wouldn't have thought about - such as pain management/side effects of pain medication.

That being said, while I enjoyed each essay I read, there were none which stood out for me among the rest. There were none that I disliked and wouldn't recommend, but on the other side there weren't any that made me want to look up the author and their other works.

Still, it was a good reading experience for me, and the cover is stunning.

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC copy*

[Syirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley.
Like many essay collections, there's a range of writing quality and depth. What no essay lacks is meaningful insight from trans-disabled people.

As a disabled WoC, I can relate. Prominently: medical professionals discounting our complaints, pain and personhood. All the essayists experience medical trauma from being trans, disabled, or both.

I appreciated Barker's essay on plurality, asserting the neuroqueer feminist model over other disability frameworks. I loved that the book kicked off with an essay on plurality. Both trans and cis people can learn from plural systems.

Jac from GenderMeowster's exploration of online queer/disabled communities during COVID was brief but valuable too. They highlight struggles felt as the world went back to "normal".

The poetry pieces didn't hit for me. It's probably my ADHD brain not vibing with poetry as a reading format. Also, there were barely any trans women voices; the intersection of transmisogyny and disability isn't explored, despite being a topic deserving of a book in itself.

If you want a deeper dive into the trans disabled experience, you won't get it here. Not much was new to me, as a queer disabled person myself. But cishet non-disabled people would likely learn something.

[Des Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review is via an ARC from NetGalley.)

"Trans and Disabled" is a great anthology to present ideas of intersectionality, with a particular focus in gender and disability but also including race, class, and other minority groups. The anthology itself is as diverse as its authors, filled with fiction, non-fiction essays, and poetry, as well as art.

As someone who is also trans* and disabled, it was difficult at times to get through this book--sometimes the feelings reading created were too much, and I had to take frequent breaks. I don't think of this as a detriment, however; these raw accounts of how life is for those of us that have multiple minority divisions give us a voice, even for those who can't speak for themselves. These are the stories that need to reach not only the trans* and disabled communities, but cisgender and abled as well. I was an editor in college for one of my school's yearly student publications, specifically geared toward Women's and Gender Studies, and this is the kind of anthology I would have created myself.

Thank you, to both Alex Iantaffi and the contributors, as well as JKP, for presenting just a few of the many stories trans* and disabled people live every single day.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Trans and Disabled is a collection of stories from various different trans and disabled artists. These stories depict different experiences that trans and disabled people face, it reflects how intersectional their lives are.

The cover sets us up for a wonderful time, which is met. This is a wonderful, incredible, amazing read.

The pacing of all the pieces were amazing, it did not feel to slow or rushed, it gave us enough time to emerge into every piece. The format is really creative.
I really enjoyed this use of different forms of art to expresses themselves, with poetry, non-fiction (memoires), plays and art. The use of different ways to understand the different experiences, with research-based stories, maths and more.

I learnt about different movement and terms I had yet to come across, such as saneism and neuroqueer feminist theory. I enjoyed reading about plurality, the ordinary, being enough and love.

I would recommend this to everyone, it is so powerful. I wish there was more, more art, more poetry, more plays, more stories more everything. I would read this again any day.

[ARC Netgally -Jessica Kingsley Publishers - Jan 21 2025]

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely useful and raw perspectives.

One experience that I have shared was being asked over and over to identify myself with my original legal name, “for safety“ in medical environments, before I had my name changed legally. Depending on my state of mind at the time, it was either annoying or painful, each time. It was horrible when I was hospitalized for depression.

I especially loved the article about worrying that the author is “not trans enough” or “not disabled enough.”… and that their partners made them write down that they are brilliant.

I learned about the trans broken arm syndrome: when you go to see a doctor because your arm is broken, and they say that your problem is that you’re trans.

I haven’t had trans broken arm syndrome, myself, but I’m sad that so many people have. It seems similar to the experience that people with fat bodies have, of being told that their medical problems are definitely because of their body size.

I wish that medical professionals would read this book… But I doubt they will.

[Leonids · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This is a solid 4.5 from me, I think. This is a really good collection of transmasc and nonbinary disabled perspectives, which ranged largely between insightful and moving. It's a pretty short read too, and the anthology can easily be picked up and put down for those with limited energy or time.

There were a couple of disappointing essays - a few I found a little basic for my tastes, and one that was basically an advert. I also found myself noticing the lack of transfemme perspectives when the collection was looked at as a whole.

Overall, this is a really strong collection that I would highly recommend to any and all who are at all interested. It's very thoughtful and many of the contributors clearly come from spaces of knowledge and experience. There are so many whose past and future work I'd love to check out after reading this anthology.

[Emory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I read something that involves Alex Iantaffi, I feel huge quantities of joy. This book is no exception. The collection of stories, academic texts, poetry, experiences, thoughts and feelings is so perfect for discussing the intersections between trans and disabled identities. I really enjoyed the variety and I think it helped illustrate how different we all are even when united under the same characteristics.

I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of people who contributed to this book too. I particularly appreciated the space held for trans disabled people to grieve, be angry, and have strong emotions. As a trans disabled person myself it often feels that society doesn't want us to have any of those emotions and that we should exist as emotionless beings. The authors in this book take that idea and obliterate it in this fantastic display of truly human experiences.

With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC

[Gab · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh what a beautiful book
If you are trans, or disabled, or both, you will find so many relatable emotions and experiences, and you will learn about ones you haven't gone through (or not yet), there are many things I hadn't even considered that now I know I will always be looking out for and advocating for now that I'm aware of how they're an issue

If you aren't any of those, you will learn so so much about the (varied, constant, sometimes unpredictable) challenges that trans and disabled people face, and hopefully gain a new understanding through these perspectives, thanks to the vulnerability the collaborators accepted to share

thank you to all the authors who contributed to this collection, thank you to the editor for getting it all together, thank you NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for allowing me to read an ARC

highly highly recommend