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

by Eli Erlick, Sena Bryer (Narrator)

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, Transgender, Gender, Biography

Audible Audio

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!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

say it louder for the people running this country to hear !! TRANS PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE!!!! protect our trans brothers and sisters yall

[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.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

'Transgender is not a modern category, but rather a modern word to describe an ever present group of people.'

Such an incredible book and so important, especially with the constant growing of hatred against transgender people. The research that went into writing this novel was extensive and impressive. And it was so wonderful to get to know the trans people who lived so long ago.

Also love the focus this gave to trans people of color, who are usually even more overlooked.

Can't recommend this enough!

[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.

[H.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before Gender: Lost Stories from Trans History, 1850–1950 by Eli Erlick is a carefully researched and intellectually generous exploration of gender diversity prior to the emergence of modern terminology. Through archival work, historical case studies, and thoughtful analysis, Erlick demonstrates that trans and gender-diverse people have existed—and often been recognized—long before contemporary frameworks of identity took shape. By chronicling the lives of thirty individuals who lived authentically according to their gender, the book powerfully affirms gender diversity as an enduring and intrinsic part of human history.

The text is firmly academic, grounded in extensive definitions and methodological reflection, which strengthens its scholarly value but can occasionally feel dry. Likewise, some of the personal stories are frustratingly sparse in detail, a limitation that stems not from the author’s approach but from the scarcity of historical sources. Even so, Erlick’s empathetic narration and intellectual rigor bring these fragmented lives into meaningful focus. Before Gender stands as an important contribution to both gender and historical studies—accessible, thought-provoking, and likely to serve as a foundation for future research and the discovery of new histories yet to be told.

[amanda macchiarola · Rating 4 out of 5]

engaging, well-written, thoroughly researched, and informative! i’m so glad there are people so dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich histories of our LGBTQIA communities, especially during such difficult times.

[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.

[Rawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved hearing a bit about Arab trans history, inshallah one day we can uncover a lot more stories of arab queer & trans history

[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.

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Before Gender: Lost Stories from Trans History, 1850–1950, Eli Erlick delivers a groundbreaking work of historical recovery that fundamentally reshapes how transgender history is understood. Through meticulous archival research and vivid storytelling, Erlick brings to life thirty trans individuals whose experiences predate the modern language of gender identity proving that trans existence is not new, marginal, or ahistorical, but deeply woven into social, cultural, and political life.

What makes Before Gender especially compelling is its refusal to frame trans history solely through suffering or secrecy. While the book does not shy away from violence, erasure, or institutional harm, it also foregrounds joy, love, ambition, and community support. Stories such as Mark and David Ferrow’s access to gender affirming care through community backing, or Gerda von Zobeltitz’s radical defiance decades before Stonewall, disrupt contemporary assumptions that trans survival has always occurred in isolation.

Erlick’s structural choice to organize the book around four themes youth, activism, labor, and athletics—brilliantly bridges past and present. These sections mirror today’s most heated debates, revealing how current controversies echo long-standing struggles while exposing how selectively history has been remembered. By anchoring each life within broader social contexts, Erlick shows that trans people were not merely reacting to the world around them but actively shaping it.

The prose balances scholarly rigor with narrative accessibility, making the book equally valuable to academics, students, activists, and general readers. Erlick writes with clarity, empathy, and authority, allowing historical figures to emerge as complex individuals rather than symbolic stand-ins. The result is a work that feels both intimate and expansive personal stories that collectively redefine an entire field of history.

Before Gender is not just an archival achievement; it is an act of historical justice. By restoring these lives to public memory, Erlick challenges readers to rethink the foundations of gender discourse and recognize the long, resilient lineage of trans existence. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking a fuller, more honest understanding of history and of the present moment.

[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.

[Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a piece of historical record, this book is incredibly important. There was a lot of research done to uncover the stories documented in this book, which is really commendable. The fact that these stories have been published is monumental and a testament to Erlick's historical research.

However, as a piece of writing, it is less than ideal. It is clearly the work of someone who is used to academic writing, who is now attempting to produce a piece of public writing. To me, the real difference between academic and public writing is that academic writing is dry, and the reader must be self-motivated to read the work. But public writing must create a narrative and hook the reader and make them interested in reading what you have to say using dynamic language. This does NOT mean get rid of all the big words. I feel like Erlick just tried to dumb the language down, and not only did I not appreciate being talked down to as a reader, but it made the writing worse. It lead to less specific and more unbelievable claims made. Instead of hooking the reader by writing the stories in an interesting way, she kept trying to get the reader to care by making claims about "the first trans" whatever that usually felt like a stretch, and counter to her overall argument about how many trans stories were lost (Maybe the first known, but how can we definitively say it's the first?). It meant that when Erlick was attempting to explain the difficult decisions she had to make as a historian, her arguments were weak. Why did the word transmisogyny only get used once?!

It just makes me sad that this book had so much potential but it really falls flat as an overall piece of writing.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful and informative book that highlights that trans people have always been here and always will be. This is broken down into four parts (kids, activism, workers and athletes) and covers 30 trans people’s remarkable stories.

Before reading this book, I had never heard of any of these people. Erlick takes us through their lives, their transitioning, and how they fought to be their true selves. I found all the stories fascinating and love that these stories are finally getting told and these people are no longer hidden from history. I learned so much from this, especially about the activists who fought for trans rights.

My only complaint, which is very minor, is that I wish I could have learned more about a few of these people but I completely understand that there just isn't a lot of information out there about them. But it did make some of the people’s stories seem incomplete. Also I wanted to see pictures of these people, which I didn’t think of when I got the audiobook, but the author has images on their website so that helped.

Overall, though, I highly recommend this book and think it should be required reading (especially for those who try to claim being transgender is new).

TW : transmisa; homomisia; police brutality; death; death by animal; genocide (Nazi regieme); drug use and addiction; suicide;

[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.