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
Language
- List of languages by how they handle gender
- 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
Master Class: Writing for Trans and Non-Binary Narratives
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.