Resources for writers who want to include characters who are a different gender than they are in their fiction. The links below list common stereotypes and tropes, information about language, and research sources on cisgender, transgender, and non-binary genders.
These links represent a portion of the resources available to students who attend a Writing the Other class or Master Class.
Tropes & Stereotypes to Avoid
- Tropes of Women of Color in Sci-Fi
- Why We Need More Than “Strong Female Characters”
- Discussions of Rape in Fiction and Media
- “Far too many writers don’t look at gendering as a part of their entering into story space“
- 4 Pitfalls To Avoid When Crafting Trans Characters
- Gender in Genre
- List of languages by how they handle gender
- Infographic: Gender pronouns
- Post-Binary Gender in SF Roundtable: Languages of Gender | Tor.com
Resources and Research
- Chart: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Throughout History (By Country/Culture)
- Third, Fourth, and Fifth Genders In Cultures Around The World
- Post-Binary Gender in SF Series on Tor.com
- small collection of trans education resources for cis allies
How To Do It Well
In this seminar, trans playwright Ashley Lauren Rogers provides writers with an understanding of the issues around creating trans and non-binary characters and narratives that can help you avoid common pitfalls.