Before Gender: Lost Stories from Trans History, 1850-1950

by Eli Erlick

Explore the trailblazing lives of 30 trans people who radically change everything you’ve been told about transgender history

Highlighting influential individuals from 1850-1950 who are all but unknown today, Eli Erlick shares 30 remarkable stories from romance to rebellion and mystery to murder. These narratives chronicle the grit, joy, and survival of trans people long before gender became an everyday term.

Organized into 4 parts paralleling today’s controversies over gender identity (kids, activists, workers, and athletes), Before Gender introduces figures whose forgotten stories transform the discussion

Mark and David Ferrow, two of the first trans teens to access gender-affirming medical treatment following overwhelming support from their friends, family, and neighbors.Gerda von Zobeltitz, a trans countess who instigated an LGBTQ+ riot 40 years before Stonewall.Frank Williams, a young trans man who was fired from over a dozen jobs for his gender.Frances Anderson, the world’s greatest female billiards player of the 1910s.
Bold and visionary, Erlick’s debut uncovers these lost stories from the depths of the archives to narrate trans lives in a way that has never been attempted before.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Queer, LGBT, Biography, Gender, Transgender

272 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2025

About the author

Eli Erlick is an New York City-based author, activist, and educator. In 2011, she founded Trans Student Educational Resources (TSER), a national organization dedicated to transforming the educational environment for trans students. In the years that followed, Eli has been at the forefront of transgender justice through her organizing, writing, and research. Blending innovative research with cutting-edge activism, she undertook her doctoral studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Eli’s work and writing have been featured in hundreds of outlets, including the New York Times, Time Magazine, and the Washington Post. She has been honored by Teen Vogue, the University of California, Refinery29, and many other institutions for her organizing. She currently lives in New York City, where she is completing her forthcoming books focused on politics, philosophy, and social movements.

Reviews

[Sunny Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

st. louis MENTIONED!!!!!!!! many times... so crazy how the st louis post dispatch used to be a fucking giant in the american journalism world.. oh how we've fallen off....

this was more of a collection of short biographies than anything else, but it was wonderful learning about all these amazing trans figures of history that many people don't know about unfortunately. trans people have always existed and have always been awesome!!!! YAYYY

3.5

[Keelin Rita]

I really appreciate trans history that includes BIPOC stories. It's so frustrating to read books on the history of queer identities and have them only focus on white people. This book features several stories of people who either were from somewhere else (Iran, India, etc) and came to the U.S., or were people of color born in the U.S.. It's also so wonderful to see how at every point in time, trans people (if not queer people in general) have the same experiences. The same feelings, the same desires, the same fears. We think we're so separate, so unique to our time, but really the queer experience is timeless. It's good to connect to that, to see the threads that unite us, to remember that it's not Just Us, Just Now, it's all of us from every point in time.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some truly heartwarming parts. Most of the stories were some mix of baffling, tender, and dramatic. I am actually quite impressed with the archival work and research that went into this project. Kudos to Erlik for all of the work that these stories entailed. Archival work is not easy! Sometimes you’re left with more questions than answers. I wish there was a bit more nuance, organization, and analysis for a lot of it (for several stories sometimes it felt like the narrative was being fit into the thesis rather than the other way around), but I was touched by the stories of resilience, love, and courage from the trans people but also from the people and communities around them.

[Maddie Marriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

packed with SO MUCH fascinating information and great stories; the organization felt a bit arbitrary, but i respect the grind and the way erlick was able to perpetually connect these stories to present day rhetoric. i feel more equipped to handle anti-trans propaganda than i did before!

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was a subject that was fascinating, but the clear bias and poor writing by the author made it hard to get through. I only finished because I was interested in these people's stories, but I wish different author...maybe a real historian or a better writer, had written this book.

[Halley Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting glimpse into several stories of trans figures from history but flawed in its argumentation

[Michael McEwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the vocabulary changes it is clear that trans people have been around since the very beginning. The author has collected stories of “trans” people from the century before the generally accepted beginning of trans history.

The book is academic with lots of definitions and review of process that are important, but sometimes a little dry. The stories too can be frustrating because they lack details, but this is unavoidable when sources are limited.

Hopefully this book will be a foundation for additional sources on the subjects discussed and the revelation of new subjects.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually the best thing I’ve ever read. Incredibly well researched. Each individual felt complete, and their stories were told so thoughtfully. These are the kind of stories that will actually change stuff in this world. Absolutely amazing.

[Gwyn Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very important read. A wide range of people, well researched and sourced. Trans people have always existed. They will continue to exist even if we change the word. Acceptance is not the only step but merely the first one.

No history, no self.

[J Carley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid reference book. I buzzed thru the audiobook but interested to revisit it when it comes out in paperback.

[Vakaris the Nosferatu · Rating 5 out of 5]

all reviews in one place: night mode reading ; skaitom nakties rezimu

My Opinion: Every tale was so immensely interesting. Only two of them I did know about, and only because I got tired of the same old arguments that are being used against trans people. So, I went out there to research on my own. When were the first medical transitions, how did they come to be, what was done until then, and how nazis, yes, those very same nazis that caused holocaust, destroyed so much research on gender and sex. Every few days or weeks someone will link me to the same two articles that are supposed to prove this or that treatment to be detrimentally bad for this or that type of a person, not even bothering to read how even the authors of those articles clearly state the research is invalid. But dare link something to them, you’ll hear how your link is just “woke”, hence not even worth reading. Funny how the same crowd who cries “facts over feelings” are the crowd that based their beliefs in science solely on their feelings. And that is in addition to “these treatments are in their infancy, hence dangerous” statements: there’s a chance you’re consuming something daily that’s “younger” than “these treatments”. This book here can be your shield, if you wish it. It can also be your guide, if you’re an ally, a parent, a friend to someone under the transgender umbrella. It’s well written, full of well-thought-out commentary, remarks, and a few references to modern ailments, such as literal holocaust denying in certain groups of people, merely because they hate it involved gender research too.

Please, read it. A 5 out of 5. It’s painful how so many parts of the world haven’t changed since hundreds of years ago. How your gender can define what job you can have, and whether you’ll even be allowed to continue working if someone outs you.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gets a bit tedious if you read it straight through, but it's an invaluable piece of history.

[Andrea Latham]

DNF. Hard to stay engaged with audiobook. I think I’d need to physically read to give these stories the attention they deserve.

[DaniPhantom · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much research and care put into this book about the lost lives of children and adults throughout history. I love reading nonfiction like this because it teaches me something new about the community that I am so proud to be part of.

[Sarah Browe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very detailed and very informative account of early trans people’s lives, accomplishments, and struggles.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fabulous read! The author provides a really detailed forward on her approach to the material, which I found enlightening. The stories are interesting and detailed, and the narrator, Sena Bryer, did a wonderful job.

[Jose Miguel · Rating 3 out of 5]

El prólogo de este libro es una maravilla. De esos que uno subrayaría entero si no fuera por la flojera de subrayar. Y el libro, ojo, es un aporte importante: rastrear historias trans de 1850 a 1950 no es precisamente un paseo, y el trabajo de archivo que hay detrás es evidente y admirable.

¿Entonces por qué no 4 o 5 estrellas? Porque después del prólogo —y pese a algunas historias francamente fascinantes— el libro empieza a sentirse más como un anecdotario que como un ensayo. Un desfile de casos curiosos, conmovedores, trágicos… pero que quedan ahí, flotando, sin un hilo que los amarre más allá del orden cronológico o temático —trans en el deporte, niñeces trans, etc—.

¿Dónde está el análisis? ¿Las comparaciones, la reflexión más profunda? Me faltó eso, un paso más allá de la simple recolección. Que no se malentienda: es un libro necesario y bien documentado, pero al final me dejó la sensación de haber hojeado un álbum de recortes en lugar de leer un ensayo.

Con todo, qué bueno que exista este libro y ojalá se investigue y se publique mucho más sobre el tema.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the actual stories of the various individuals and appreciate that a lot of work went into finding all the information, the need for an editor was overwhelming. There was way too much telling the reader what they would be reading later and repeating of quotes or events. Sometimes I got to a story and felt like I had already read it! Histories need to be remembered, but I wish it had been presented in a better form.

[Ranjani Sheshadri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating series of biographies I haven't read anywhere else and a peek at a strangely progressive world before gender identity fell under the purview of public policy and political ire. There are many accounts of people whose identities were not only accepted but validated and supported by their close friends and family as well as their communities in the 1800s, so what's wrong with us in the 21st century?! I think what I struggled with was keeping track of each story as an individual entity, but maybe that's on me.

[Evan Optional · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written and fascinating history on gender identity that’s accessible to anyone. People come in all flavors and that should always be celebrated. Never demonized.

It angles the lens on trailblazing stories that humanize the trans experience in a way that can resonate with anyone whose fingers are not stuffed defiantly in their ears. Open hearts. Open minds.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reviews of this seem polarized. I am glad the author did this research, though I don't entirely trust her reporting, as she is so determined to use modern language and concepts that she may be misrepresenting some people's stories. Multiple times she acknowledges that she is using different pronouns for someone than they used for themselves, and once she describes someone as the first trans elected official (a magistrate) even though this person was living as her assigned-at-birth gender (male) at the time. I definitely think it is valid for present-day trans people to see historical gender nonconformists or cross-dressers as ancestors and as proof that gender variance isn't new, but I also think we should refer to specific people using the terms by which they would've understood themselves. I should note that I do of course believe in the broad findings of the book - that there are hundreds of years of evidence of people preferring to live as a gender that didn't match how they were raised, and many examples of such people being accepted. It is the specifics of how some of the stories are presented that I doubt.

An additional problem throughout is that the writing is just really bad! There is some bad grammar and odd wording (e.g., referring to 1940 as an "era"), sentences that don't flow, and constant overdramatic self-congratulatory declarations that so-and-so's story has been buried ... UNTIL NOW! Every section describes its subject as "the trans woman" or "the trans man," just to avoid overuse of the person's name I guess, and it reads awkwardly and as over-insistent. The author constantly provides quotes and then restates the quote - for instance "Bill complained ... 'I couldn't he stand the abuse which this man heaped on me.' ... If what Bill says were true, he would be an abuse victim." The book was really hard to get through.

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Before Gender, Eli Erlick presents a meticulously researched and engagingly written exploration of gender diversity throughout history. Drawing on historical case studies, archival materials, and personal insights, Erlick reveals the presence and recognition of diverse gender identities long before the emergence of contemporary terminology. With intellectual rigor and empathetic narration, she brings to light the lives of individuals and communities whose identities challenge modern categorical frameworks.

The book offers a compelling chronicle of thirty individuals who authentically lived in accordance with their gender identities—sometimes viewed as curiosities, but often embraced by their communities. Through these narratives, Erlick underscores the enduring presence of gender diversity as an intrinsic element of the human experience. Her work is both informative and deeply thought-provoking, supported by extensive and well-documented research.

Before Gender stands as a significant contribution to historical and gender studies, enriching our understanding of identity, liberation, and the complexity of human experience. Erlick succeeds not only in advancing academic discourse but also in crafting a text that is accessible, engaging, and remarkably insightful.

[Laura M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before Gender is one of those books that quietly blows your mind. I picked it up expecting a straightforward history, but Eli Erlick delivers something way more compelling: thirty vivid, surprising stories of trans people living full, complicated lives between 1850 and 1950. Some were activists, some were kids, some were athletes or workers just living their lives the best they could. All of them make the past feel much more decent and human, which is important in today's political climate that vilifies and demonizes trans people.

What I loved most is how much this book cuts through the idea that trans identities are new or recent. Erlick shows that gender-diverse people have always been here, thriving, struggling, falling in love, causing trouble, fighting back, building community. I finished the book feeling like I’d been let in on a whole hidden history. If you care about queer history, or just love well-researched narrative nonfiction, this is absolutely worth your time.

I listened to this audiobook and also read the hard copy so I could take notes. I loved the reader, Sena Bryer, who respectfully brought the stories to life.

[norarosereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really important book. Trans people have always existed!! I really liked the introduction and how the author situated themself. I liked how the author dealt with citing sources that misgender/deadname the subject. Made a bunch of annotations but my kobo deleted them so you’ll just have to believe me when I say that this is an valuable book :(

There were a couple stylistic things that really bugged me about the authors writing but I still think this was worth the read.

After a while, reading little snippets of people’s lives became a bit tedious and it was challenging to really become invested in each persons story when so little information is available about them. I would recommend reading one story at a time so you can spend time with each person and absorb their story before moving on to the next one.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye-opening book for me - highly recommended reading that reveals much about the history of trans people. I found “the athletes” section particularly interesting, given recent controversy re the inclusion of trans athletes in the Olympics. The long history of athletic competition by trans athletes is not well publicized, but many examples are provided here. This book should be read by many who falsely proclaim transsexualism as only modern issue. While we may have made some progress by no longer prosecuting cross dressing, it seems that smaller communities were more accepting of their neighbors in the past. I fear the we are in (or at least headed for) another bout of extreme oppression against all but cis gender. How can we have once again regressed as a society in our understanding of others?

[Cindy Mascone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Gender

This book covers the period 1850-1950 and locations throughout the world, and with 569 endnotes supporting 231 pages of text, it was obviously extensively researched. It was eye-opening to learn about the lives of trans people in an era before the word “gender” entered the English language (in the mid-20th century). They faced different hardships than trans individuals face today, such as laws prohibiting the wearing of “gender-nonconforming” clothing. But in some cases they were better accepted and had better support systems.

One thing I didn’t like about the book is that in many places it felt like an academic work — which it might be, but I find that type of writing unexciting to read. While some people’s stories were quite interesting, others were not.

Overall the book was incredibly educational. And it offers some hope for a brighter future.

[Kristen Goebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty solid book that covers not only the stories of unknown trans people but also the importance of continuing to uncover and share these stories. I was a little sceptical going into this about how "lost" these stories actually were, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this really wasn't all that much of an exaggeration, and it was interesting to get a glimpse into how much work goes into putting something like this together. The strength of this work seems to be in the archival research, I'd say the writing itself is fine but nothing amazing. Each chapter could be read in any order or spread out over time, which I think I would've enjoyed more, but I did not have the time for that. Pretty good for a random library pick.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening collection of individual trans people's stories from a number of different cultures, some more substantial than others. Was pleasantly surprised to learn how many, though certainly not all, were embraced by their communities for who they were. Impressed by audiobook reader Sena Bryer's efforts at correct pronunciation of names from other cultures.

One thing I did find confusing was the use of a person's chosen name and pronouns even in quotes that originally misnamed/misgendered them or in their story prior to their transition, which often made it unclear how the person was presenting or perceived at a given point in their life.

[Erin Kelley]

This was definitely a very interesting book and these stories really deserve to be told. I appreciated how this book included non-US stories and specifically sought out non-white stories as well. I really appreciated how the author included specific assumptions and some biases she was making (ex. how she is defining 'transness' when it is a relatively new historical term) but she also definitely had some internal biases that were occasionally unexamined. They are not necessarily bad but did impact how she portrayed some of the stories. I would say this is a slightly more academic text and can be a bit dry in a few spots because of that but it is accessible to the general public.

[Kevin B. Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Eli Erlick has done the world a tremendous service by documenting dozens of “lost stories of from trans history.” She tells vivid stories that bring to life stories of people we would today consider trans long before Stonewall and the modern era. This book is, in short, a revelation. My only advice is to read it a little bit at a time: the book is essentially 28 mini-biographies, and each deserves to be understood and savored for its uniqueness. Reading it swiftly (which I did at first), the stories begin to blur and lose their impact. Take your time with this incredibly important book, and congratulations to Ms. Erlick for the astounding research that it represents.