Entertainment library

Browse our entertainment library for recommendations on trans inclusive films, TV and books.

  • Anything’s Possible– Available on Prime – A coming-of-age film starring a young trans actress, and written by a trans woman. Though this film is often sweet and corny as we see in other films of this genre, there is also a degree of transphobia that you might want to be aware of before going in thinking it will be fun and light.
  • Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui – available on Netflix – is a romantic comedy set in Chandigarh, India.
  • Disclosure – available on Netflix – a documentary about trans representation in film and TV throughout history.
  • Fanfic [or Fanfik] – available on Netflix – This film is and LGBTQ+ coming of age film from Poland. Reportedly it is the first (presumably mainstream) film in Poland to have a trans character played by a trans actor.
  • Kapaemahu – Available on the films website and on Youtube– A short film about those with dual male and female spirits who brought the healing arts to Hawaii from Tahiti.
  • Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda – available on Netflix – a comedy special that brings together genderqueer comics from around the world
  • Joyland – available on Amazon Prime – a romantic comedy set in Pakistan, Haider becomes a dancer and falls in love with his teacher.
  • Monkey Man – Available on Apple TV – Dev Patel’s Monkey Man is a tale of corruption, trauma, and revenge and push back against the oppression marginalised people face . Key players in this story are the Hijra community, who are depicted as brave, and joyful, and loving, and strong. There are limitations to the representation.  Alpha, the main Hijra character, is played by a cisgender actor. And, due to covid restrictions which saw the film shot primarily in Indonesia, none of the three trans women cast, were themselves Hijra. With other roles being played by stunt people of various genders. However the film has gained a great deal of praise from LGBTQ+ communities in India and has depicted the Hijra community in a powerful and compassionate way which has not often been seen.
  • Next Goal Wins – available on Disney+ – comedy drama based on real events, with fa’afafine football player Jaiyah Saelua as one of the key characters.
  • The Dads – available on Netflix – This 11 minute short film sees a group of dads discuss their love, hopes, and fears for their trans kids.
  • The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone – available on Netflix – This short documentary follows Australian trans activist and actress Georgie Stone, looking back on her childhood, and historic fight for trans rights in Australia
  • The Roof – available on Disney+ – a short film by queer/Two-Spirit/Northern Cheyenne writer W.A.W. Parker, about a Cheyenne teen connecting with community.
  • Runs in the Family – Available on Netflix – An Indian father, played by Ace Bhatti, and his transgender son, played by Gabe Gabriel, embark on a roadtrip across South Africa to break the son’s long-lost mother from prison, and hopefully get back in time for the son’s big drag competition which could win him the money for gender-affirming care. This sweet and funny film was also written by Gabe Gabriel, who’s a transgender writer, actor and director.
  • Rūrangi – available to purchase online – Rūrangi is a film or TV series made in Aotearoa (New Zealand), following a trans activist who returns to his rural home town for the first time in a decade. Production worked closely with the trans community, with as many as 59% of cast and crew being gender diverse, and all trans roles being played by transgender actors.
  • Stay on the Board: The Leo Baker Story – available on Netflix – This documentary follows the story of trans and non-binary skateboarder Leo Baker an American professional skateboarder from the USA as he navigates his career and personal life.
  • We Live Here: The Midwest explores timely, personal stories of LGBTQI+ families – Available on Disney+ – This documentary provides an entry level introduction to the LGBTQ+ community in the Midwest, to humanise those being discriminated against.
  • Will and Harper – Available on Netflix – This documentary follows cisgender actor Will Ferrell and his old friend and colleague, writer Harper Steele as they go on a roadtrip across the US. This documentary is about friendship and how it can change and grow, and Harper discovering whether she can still feel safe and comfortable in the places she used to enjoy visiting and exploring on the road. Approach with caution as it does have its faults, but the notoriety of it’s subjects allow for access to people who may otherwise shy away from trying to understand members of the trans community.
  • Dead End: Paranormal – available on Netflix – an animated fantasy horror comedy that follows trans and gay teenager Barney Guttman as he begins work at a mysterious theme park.
  • Doctor Who – available on BBC iPlayer – In the 60th Anniversary episodes we see Donna return, with transgender daughter Rose, played by transgender actress Yasmin Finney.
  • Feel Good – Available on All 4 and Netflix – Written by and Starring non-binary comedian Mae Martin. Series 2 sees Mae’s character grappling with, among many other things, their gender.
  • Good Trouble – available on Disney+ – spin-off series of The Fosters which also had occasional trans representation, this drama follows the lives of people from many different backgrounds as they try and figure life out.
  • Heartbreak High – available on Netflix – a show that does well to include LGBTQ+, First Nations and neurodivergent characters, played by actors of their respective communities.
  • Heartstopper – available on Netflix – a LGBTQ+ coming-of-age show based on the graphic novel and webcomic of the same name.
  • Our Flag Means Death – available on BBC iPlayer – a period romantic comedy about found family, with genderfluid actor Vico Ortiz.
  • Pride – Available on Disney+ – This docuseries explores LGBTQ+ history in the United States, from the 1950s to the 2000s. This includes the struggle for rights for trans people. There is archival footage, personal testimonies and queer historians throughout.
  • Star Trek: Discovery – available on Paramount+ – in this generation of Star Trek we see transgender representation by transgender actors, particularly from season 3 onwards
  • Sex Education – available on Netflix – from season 3 some of the storylines follow Cal, a non-binary teenager, played by non-binary actor Dua Saleh, with more trans characters and actors joining the cast for season 4.
  • Tales of the City (2019) – available on Netflix – While some of the representation is not authentic, due to the original casting in 1993. This show offers a wealth of genuine LGBTQ+ representation. Including from non-binary actor Garcia, who plays Jake, a young trans man trying to figure out where he fits since beginning his transition.
  • Taskmaster Series 15 – Available on All 4 – Non-binary comedian Mae Martin is one of the contestants on series 15. While not the typical representation talked about, Taskmaster is huge in popularity around the world. And for 10 episodes all of those watching, in English at least, got to see the language Mae uses for themselves used easily and effortlessly. Some fans of the show even reached out to let them know it had helped them learn.
  • What is Gender Dysphoria – Trans Positive Documentary– Available on YouTube – In this documentary trans people, and allies working at The Gender Hormone Clinic, talk about Gender Dysphoria and the impacts of this on trans people’s lives.
  • What is Trans Joy? – Trans Positive Documentary – Available on YouTube – This documentary focuses on the joy trans people experience It is made by and for trans people and shows the many ways in which we experience joy, whether through our hobbies, community, gender euphoria etc.
  • What is Trans Pride? – Trans Positive Documentary– Available on YouTube – This documentary is focused on those attending Trans Pride and the joy, community, protest, and importance of such events.
  • What keeps you up at night? – Trans Positive Documentary– Available on YouTube – In this documentary trans people are asked about what scares, inspires, motivates, and haunts them. While situated in recreations of known horror scenes. Please be mindful of the Trigger Warnings given at the start of the video before deciding whether you wish to proceed.
  • Acting the Part by Z.R. Ellor – This YA novel follows a young actor juggling a fake relationship, fighting for good WLW representation on the show they are on for their fans, and a growing nagging feeling about their gender. The audiobook is read by non-binary actor Vico Ortiz.
  • Before We Were Transby Dr Kit Heyam – This book looks at human history through a gender expansive lens, it does not assume that those from the past were trans, but it does not assume, as most Historians do, that people were cis. It explores and celebrates the ever changing nature of humans fluidity in regards to gender.
  • Dead Endia by Hamish Steele – a graphic novel series trans teen Barney and his friend Norma battling problems of the paranormal and worse, every day life.
  • Gender EuphoriaEdited by Laura Kate Dale – This book focuses on the euphoria that trans people can experience, with pieces by 19 trans, non-binary, agender, gender-fluid and intersex writers. An important book that focuses on trans joy and its impact rather than placing focus on dysphoria.
  • Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe – An autobiographical comic about eir journey of self-discovery, identity and coming out
  • Genderqueer and Non-binary Genders Edited by Christina Richards, Walter Pierre Bouman, Meg-John Barker – An academic resource from 2017, which covers a wide range of topics as they relate to genderqueer and non-binary individuals.
  • He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters by Schuyler Bailer – A book by a trans athlete, advocate and educator that helps provide gender literacy through stories of his own experiences and others within the community.
  • Heartstopper by Alice Oseman – a graphic novel series following queer teenagers Nick and Charlie as they fall in love and navigate life, one of Charlie’s best friends, Elle is trans.
  • Homebody by Theo Parish – This YA graphic memoir is all about Theo’s journey of finding where they fit in the world. Exploring grappling with gender rules that are all around as you move through the world and their journey with them before finally discovering the term nonbinary
  • Jamie by L.D. Lapinski – a children’s book about an 11 year old non-binary kid who is told that for year 7 their friends will be separated into boys’ and girls’ schools, and their fight for awareness and acceptance.
  • Life as a Unicorn by Amrou Al-Kadhi – A memoir that will take you through a rollercoaster of feelings from hilarity to devastation and back again.
  • My Own Way by Joana Estrela, Jay Hulme – A children’s book celebrating gender freedom and finding your own path
  • None of the Above by Travis Alabanza  – In this book Travis Alabanza inspects phrases that people have said to them as a Black, mixed race, non-binary person, reflecting on the various impacts and influences that such phrases can have.
  • Pageboy: A Memoir by Eliot Page – This book is a journey of Page’s life, and the difficulties of detangling oneself from the expectations placed upon us. For those who do not know, Eliot Page is an actor, writer, director, and activist who came out to the world as trans in 2020. This book spans his childhood, career, and the run up to coming out to the world once again, as well as a little of what followed.
  • Peanut Goes for Gold by Jonathan Van Ness, illustrated by Gillian Reid – A picture book about a gymnastics loving, non-binary guinea pig.
  • Pet by Akwaeke Emezi – With a trans girl as the main protagonist, this young adult fiction is a story of fighting monsters and seeking truth.
  • Surge by Jay Bernard – Incredibly powerful poetry which explores the the New Cross Fire of 1981.
  • The Big Book of LGBTQ+ Activities by Amie Taylor – This book is a good educational resources with, permitted to be, photocopiable activities and worksheets for primary school aged children. Some of the definitions and language may over simplify things somewhat, particularly when it comes to non-binary people. But this is a great resource for speaking about LGBTQ+ people.
  • The Mermaid, the Witch and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall – Young adult fiction but equally as suited to not-so-young adults too. This page turner is a fantasy novel that’s hard to put down.
  • The T in LGBT+ Everything you need to know about being trans by Jamie Raines – A book that is part autobiographical, part guide for trans people, particularly useful for those in the UK starting out their journey, with sections for allies.
  • The Trans Guide to Mental Health and Well-being by Katy Lees – Self-care guide by a non-binary, person centred therapist based in the UK, provides helpful tips for finding community and looking after yourself in difficult political and media periods.
  • Trans Britain by Christine Burns – A modern history of trans lives and trans rights in Britain.
  • Trans Like Me by CN Lester – This book looks at the conversations around trans people and discusses the work that still needs to be done
  • Transgender History, Second Edition by Susan Stryker – This updated edition provides history of transgender people and movements. There are some limitations, for example some misconceptions and outdated information around non-binary people. However the book provides a good baseline for learning about our history
  • Unmasking autism: the power of embracing our hidden neurodiversity by Dr Devon Price – This book is focused on autism, however Dr Devon Price is an autistic trans man and he includes his own voice and that of other trans autistic people in a conversation that often leaves them out.
  • Wain: LGBT Reimagining of Scottish Folktales by Rachel Plummer, Illustrated by Helene Boppert – A poetry book aimed at teens which retells Scottish mythology through a LGBTQ+ lens
  • Welcome to St. Hell: My trans teen misadventure by Lewis Hancox – A graphic memoir reflecting Lewis’ often tumultuous journey to get to where he is today.
  • What it Feels Like For a Girl by Paris Lees – An autobiography that reads like a novel, a must read.c
  • Who’s Afraid of Gender by Judith Butler – This book from renowned scholar Judith Butler examines the rise in anxieties around “gender” and it’s relationship to other such rises in a certain kind of extreme politics.
  • You Don’t See Me by Chris Ricketts – A YA novel following a trans teenager as they fall in love for the first time, and the anxieties and anger that come with this as their new relationship reinforces a false idea of Ros that everyone seems to share.

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