This blog was written by SJPL Librarian, Nina Zeininger
International Trans Day of Visibility, a holiday launched in 2009 by activist Rachel Crandall-Crocker, takes place each year on March 31. This is a day to recognize and honor those in our communities who identify as transgender and gender expansive. The transgender spectrum may also include people who identify as non-binary, agender, genderqueer, 2Spirit), and gender fluid.
Aligning with Trans Day of Visibility is the Trans Rights Readathon. First launched in 2023 by Sim Kearn, the readathon takes place in the weeks leading up to Trans Day of Visibility. The 2026 readathon will run from March 17 to March 31. Whether you yourself identify as transgender or you are an ally, this readathon is a great way to elevate the voices and experiences of those identifying on the transgender spectrum. Through the readathon website, which includes a resource page that includes a book masterlist, social media, and a StoryGraph challenge, the volunteers behind Trans Rights Readathon promote books that highlight the broad spectrum of trans experiences. Books for this readathon may have openly trans authors and/or characters that identify on the transgender spectrum.
Celebrate with Reading
Trans Day of Visibility is a day for celebration. When policies for trans protections are increasingly challenged, highlighting stories that reflect positive lived experiences is an important form of bridge-building and reminder of hope. Books offer a space where people of any identity, including many marginalized ones, can see characters who are like them experiencing happy and healthy relationships. This representation is important when individuals may be struggling, because it provides an opportunity to see that things can be different. It also demonstrates that all people deserve a life of dignity and respect. In particular, romance books depict joy and happy endings featuring stories with diverse characters represented beyond mainstream family matters. These include storylines about modern dating, co-habitating, friendships, among many others. This broader range of characters and lifestyles presents more believable happy endings, even in historical romances, which enhances the way stories better reflect diverse audiences.
Whether you’d like to join the Trans Rights Readathon or would like to diversify your To Be Read lists, here is a compilation of romances featuring gender expansive characters finding love. The books on this list may include some of the difficulties of the trans experience, but, as advertised, the stories all end in happy relationships.
Recommended for Adults
For t
he Love of April French, by Penny Aimes
Recently on Book Riot’s The Best Romance Books of the Century…So Far, opens a new window, For the Love of April French follows the titular April French, who doesn’t do relationships, and new-on-the-scene Dennis Martin who asks for April’s trust and, suddenly April finds herself having feelings and wanting something like a relationship with Dennis…
Unmaked by the Marquess, by Cat Sebastian
Cat Sebastian is a powerhouse when it comes to queer historical romance. Sebastian writes characters with a range of queer identities and has multiple historical trans romances. Published in 2018, this title remains a favorite for many romance readers. Robert Selby, with no connections or money, is nevertheless determined to see his sister Louisa make an advantageous match before he disappears forever and returns to his real identity, a housemaid named Charity. The Marquess of Pembroke has spent years repairing the estate his father ruined and is determined to protect his fortune and name. Can these stubborn souls learn to sacrifice what they want for love?
Chef's Kiss, by TJ Alexander
Simone Larkspur is a perfectionist pastry expert who just wants to create the perfect loaf of sourdough and develop recipes. When her job pivots to sharing videos, she must deal with Ray Lyton, the new test kitchen manager, whose obnoxious cheer and outgoing personality are like oil to Simone's water. When Ray accidentally becomes a viral YouTube sensation, Simone and Ray are forced to work together. But Simone realizes her heart may be softening and things get even more complicated when Ray comes out at work as nonbinary and Simone must choose between her career and her heart. Follow this read up with the second book in the series Chef’s Choice, opens a new window.
Something Spectacular, by Alexis Hall
Alexis Hall is one of the most prolific authors around. Bonus: all Hall’s books include queer romance! They are also always tender and packed with fun. In Something Spectacular we meet Peggy DeLancey who has agreed to help a former love interest court flamboyant opera singer Orfeo, but instead Peggy unexpectedly finds common ground with this celebrated soprano as they walk the line between friendship, flirtation, and maybe something more.
A Rare Find, by Joanna Lowell
In this trans historical romance, an aspiring archaeologist has to team up with her childhood enemy for a treasure hunt. Along the way they find it impossible to bury their growing feelings for each other.
Recommended for Young Adults
I Shall Never Fall in Love, by Hari Conner
An historical trans romance in graphic novel form! If for some reason that hasn’t sold you on this book, here’s the description: George has major problems: They've inherited the failing family estate, and their feelings for best friend, Eleanor, have become complicated. Not to mention, if anyone found out they were secretly dressing in men's clothes, it would be ruination for the family name. Eleanor has always wanted to do everything "right," including falling in love--but she's never met a boy she was interested in. When a new suitor comes to town, she finds her closest friendships threatened and must confront feelings she never knew she had.
The Heartbreak Bakery, by A. R. Capetta
Not only is The Heartbreak Bakery positively delightful, it also includes recipes and baking tips (you’ll never make scones the same way again)! Syd (no pronouns, please), has always dealt with hard-to-talk-about things by baking. Being dumped is no different, except now Syd is baking at the Proud Muffin, a queer bakery and community space in Austin. And everyone who eats Syd's breakup brownies...breaks up! Being dumped is one thing; causing ripples of queer heartbreak through the community is another. But the cute bike delivery person, Harley (he or they, check the pronoun pin), believes Syd's magical baking can fix things, too--one recipe at a time.
And They Were Roommates, by Page Powars
Romance is the last thing on Charlie’s mind. On his first day at Valentine Academy for Boys, Charlie’s carefully crafted plan to hide his identity as the school’s only trans student is set in motion. Only to be immediately destroyed. Charlie has been assigned the worst roommate in the world: Jasper Grimes, who broke Charlie’s heart the year before he transitioned. Except, Jasper doesn’t recognize Charlie. Can Charlie keep Jasper from realizing the truth as they spend more and more time together? Surely, no unintended consequences will arise…
Donut Summer, by Anita Kelly
Deeply anxious Penny is saving for college working the seasonal gig she landed at Delicious Donuts. But when she finds out her genderqueer nemesis, Mateo, will also be working behind the counter, Penny's summer of mindless labor instantly vanishes before her eyes. The duo's feud will have to take a backseat when the donut shop is threatened by a corporate takeover. As their small town faces big pressure, and anxiety threatens everything Penny's worked for, there's still one person who remains by her side. Could it be that Penny's found the perfect, most infuriating person to change the world with?
Meet Cute Diary, by Emery Lee
Noah Ramirez thinks he's an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever afters. There's just one problem; all the stories are fake ... When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah's world unravels. The only way to save the Diary is to convince everyone that the stories are true, but he doesn't have any proof. Then Drew walks into Noah's life, and the pieces fall into place.
Read Along!
I’ve participated in the Trans Rights Readathon each year since it began. This year I’m planning to read Cemetery Boys, opens a new window by Aiden Thomas, A Shore Thing, opens a new window by Joanna Lowell, and either Hell’s Heart, opens a new window by Alexis Hall or Automatic Noodle, opens a new window by Annalee Newitz, depending on which hold comes in first. I hope you’ll join me!
More to explore
Looking for more books that center transgender experiences? Check out these San Jose Public Library staff pick lists:
Add a comment to: Trans Day of Visibility with the Trans Rights Readathon