Editor's note: Because the average lifespan of a transition-themed website is about 5 years, links on this page are extremely selective. Only those sites that I feel make a major contribution to practical aspects of transition and have made a commitment to remaining available free and online have been included. In addition, each section of this site contains recommended links on that specific topic. These are the best general resources. Check my page on Organizations for additional general information and links.

As part of this site's focus on the unmet needs of younger women, I have rearranged these resources in approximate order of usefulness and inspiration for women who are transitioning early in life.

Professor Conway is an internationally famous pioneer in computing. She is also a pioneer in our community, having transitioned in 1967, at a time when bigotry and hatred towards our community was far worse than it is today. Lynn was stealth for over 30 years, but was then outed when important computer work she did prior to transition was uncovered. She then chose to go ahead and be open about her past. Not only has she compiled some excellent detailed information on matters of transition, she also has the wisdom of being post-transition for decades. I feel Lynn's site is the best place to start and to get your bearings. It's a very positive overview of the issues you'll face and the questions you may have. Be sure to check the Trans News Updates for recent news about trans issues. Lynn has added a wonderful section on successful community role models, too! This excellent contribution is a much-needed counterpoint to the stereotypes of us usually portrayed in the media. It's proof that many of us go on to accomplish great things after transition, and that we can and do succeed in every trade and profession-- you name it!

Created by a woman in her 20's who began transition in 1998. It blossomed into a great general site with a collection of first-rate information and advice. She tells it like it is in her blog, and doesn't shy away from talking about the difficult topics as well as the joys of transition. Highly recommended sections include the "tips" and "voice" sections. The site has had intermittent hosting issues and was down until summer 2007, when she got a top-level domain.

Jennifer transitioned in 1982 at age 22 and has some very insightful observations about what it's like long after transition. She's a web and game designer, and I am insanely jealous of how cool her logo and anime characters look! Several of her essays are especially good, although I respectfully disagree with some of her information. I do not consider her gender test, especially the COGIATI, to be useful or accurate in determining important life's choices. I think her transition cartoons are just wonderful, and her essay on passing is a must-read.

What exactly is Transsexuality?
Am I a Transsexual? THE GENDER TEST CENTER
NEW: COGIATI fully available to print out for offline use!
The reasons to cherish being transsexual
Why did this have to happen to me?
What can I do about this? Is there hope for me?
So what is the author's story? What is her experience?
Why you don't want to be a woman or a man
The reason to Come Out
What can I expect long term?
What is it like to be transsexual?
Beliefs That Can Kill
The issue of Passing
Dialogue With Jennifer [a collection of her correspondence]
The Quick Guide to Heterosexual Dating for MTF Transsexuals
Actual cartoons from my transition diary!
Super-neato gender stuff
Where can I find even more information? good list of links

A great site by a new young voice. Check out her thoughts on theory and politics, and her lively journal.

The positive, upbeat forum developed by Calpernia, now spun off to our GenderLife website.

I've moved this site way up because it just keeps getting better and better. Katie has put together some nice stuff from her perspective as a graduate psychology student. A thoughtful and educated young voice in the community! Highly recommended sections include:

Introduction & General Resources
Inspiration & Practical Matters
Cultures & Sub-Cultures
Personal Experiences
Psychology

Long before Calpernia was thrown into the national spotlight after her boyfriend was murdered by fellow soldiers, she was a well-known Nashville-based entertainer. She's now a published author and working actress doing mainstream entertainment and independent films through a production company she and I started in 2003. She also has a weblog lots of offbeat fun stuff, 'cause she's a freak like that.

Emily created the first major forum designed specifically for Gen X and Gen Y women. She's a very upbeat and introspective person who has been though far more than just transition, and has overcome it all. She's removed a lot of her personal information, and the forum has largely been abandoned for invite-only forums that offer more safety and privacy. Still, the forum has a wealth of archived materials worth checking out.

Dr. Lawrence is a former anesthesiologist who maintains a must-read site full of medical information for those seeking feminization. Dr. Lawrence has made many important original contributions on two of the three so-called "triadic therapies," hormones and vaginoplasty, and the site contains part of Dr. Lawrence's extensive personal collection of photographs depicting surgically altered genitalia. Some (including me) find the Bailey-Blanchard-Lawrence disease models of gender variance to be a source of controversy and even outrage, but Dr. Lawrence expresses opinions on this and other aspects of feminization with passion and verve. Dr. Lawrence continues an unfortunate practice of removing original material and links to sites with views that don't match Dr. Lawrence's or aren't consistent with a "respected authority" persona Dr. Lawrence is trying to construct. Though the site continues to become less and less relevant as updates are now few and far between, the site will remain an important resource for a long time.

Of all the people who strive to help transgender youth, I doubt anyone does more than Aunt Jenny. Her Antijen pages are a haven for young people to share experiences. Jen also takes many young women under her wing, and I think she may do this literally-- I suspect she is an actual angel!

- Papers and Articles on Young Transsexuals
- Letters to Parents
- High School Experiences

Gwen began transition in 1992 at age 25. Gwen was already on America Online when I signed up way back in 1995, and I quickly came to appreciate her efforts in building an online TG community. After her pioneering work on AOL, Gwen has gone on to become a guiding force and thoughtful voice of the community in a variety of capacities. Her contributions are all over the web, so I've collected some of the main stuff below.Other sites:

- Gender.org: An advocacy and activist site maintained by Gwen.
- Be sure to see the ranked weblinks and the resources by state.
- TransBay: TG resources in San Francisco's East Bay area.
- Site of FTM photographer Loren Cameron.
- Remembering Our Dead: A memorial to the many victims of transphobic violence.
- Hit the W for Gwen's writings on gender issues, notably the excellent Transmissions series.

I consider Becky one of the most conscientious voices in the community. She is a physician who has given generously of her time and wisdom to provide excellent medical information on the following topics:

General medical information

A list of TG -recommended Facial Plastic Surgeons
Facial Feminization Surgery- her contribution to a piece on this.
An interview with SRS surgeon Dr. Eugene Schrang, and letters outlining his McCloud Procedure.
Primum Non Nocere: A Physician-Patient Perspective
Research Versus Assumption: Adapting the Standards of Care to Address Individual Needs
Progressive Diameter Stents

Expert medical information

Arterial Reactivity is Enhanced in Genetic Males Taking Estrogen
Estrogen Improves Vascular Function in Male to Female Transsexuals
Exogenous Estrogen Effect On Lipid/Lipoprotein Cholesterol In Transsexual Males
Hormones and Heart Disease

Information by state on changing your birth certificateBecky also has a very thoughtful journal and writes extensively about spirituality

T notes: 9 articles with good information on what it's like to start therapy with a gender specialist. Recommended:

- # 3. The First 12 Weeks of gender therapy.
- # 1. Dances with Therapists, or hard time getting to that first appointment.
- # 9. Relationships: The Bane and the Promise
- #2. What happens at The Intake Appointment?
- #6. Mid-Life Awakening.

Other recommended materials:

- Client/Therapist conflict
- Gender Dysphoria: Treatment Limits and Options
- Gender Transition in the Workplace: excellent advice echoing my own
- Preparing for Sex Reassignment Surgery
- Gender Dysphoria Program Guide Lines
- Living With A Rectovaginal Fistula: a wake-up call to possible SRS complications

Melanie is a software developer for the entertainment industry, and an early online pioneer for our community. She had vaginoplasty in 1992 at age 39. Melanie was my personal role model for transition, the woman who made me realize that I could do this, so I owe her more than I could ever express. In 2006, she added a section of racy photos and some strong opinions about certain types of people who wish to transition, so be warned if you are easily offended. She has a searchable site with areas covering:

- Developing A Female Voice: valuable tips from someone who nailed it!
- Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex Change* (*but were afraid to ask)
- Melanie's Diary and others' personal stories of transition
- Products for the gender community
- Opinions, advice, essays, surveys, statistics, and how-to.

Trans-Health is a volunteer-run website providing information on health and fitness for trans people. They cover several topics that do not get a lot of coverage, including fitness and training, aging, disability, and access to health services. All topics are written for a very inclusive and diverse audience.

Other great sites

What started in 2003 as an online book of a young woman's experiences is quickly blossoming into more than just a source of hope and inspiration. Vicky has some great advice on stealth, and inspirational essays beyond her own life story. Now hosted on this site.

Though it hasn't been updated in several years, this British support group has a nice selection of publications available at their site:

- Transsexualism: A Primer
- Transsexualism: A Medical Overview
- Transsexualism: Notes for Employers
- Feminine Voice Techniques
- Electrolysis in Transsexuals
- Personal experiences written by eight British women

A revised version of The Birth of Venus. Has information for all ages of transitioners.

Resources and Support For Gen X & Y Transistioners.

This site has a supportive members-only forum and a good resource list, especially for FFS.

Sally had dramatic results from FFS, and she's been kind enough to share her experiences with this and other aspects of transition. Offline as of 2007.

A good collection of resource links.

Donna has written a great autobiography called Wrapped in Blue, and she's got several excellent sections on her site devoted to topics like workplace transition. She also has a thoughtful essay collection.

Jessica has provided transition documents and information about her transition.

A nice site with tips and examples on how to find and perfect your female voice. Includes a bulletin board for sharing tips. You can even send along your own voice! This site doesn't get updated often, but it's still a good resource.

This Australian-based site has a wealth of good, reliable information, with a focus on local resources in Australia.

A nice U.K.-based site with a focus on the needs of young people, though it hasn't been updated in a while.

A site with a nice collection of materials on medical and psychological aspects of transgender health care.

This scholarly periodical has some interesting pieces.

Diane works in the computer industry and maintains a good selective resource page:

- TG organization links and other resource links
- A great selection of editorials, position papers, newsgroups
- Resources covering crossdressing, androgyny, and intersex issues
- The majority of her site is about other aspects of her rich life

Janet is a very successful business owner who had SRS in 1999 at age 52. She has some great information, including a FAQ and a good letter she wrote to her employees at the time of her transition. Her SRS and labiaplasty experiences now include a one-year follow-up.

Carla is a gorgeous Spanish singer and actress who began transition at age 17. Her personal site doesn't have a lot of information in English, but she has a nice collection of lovely photos that show a wide range of beautiful women who comprise our community throughout the world.

This admirer site has been on and off the web and now appears to be off indefinitely.My favorite part of his site is where he exposes dozens of fake TS sites online, now available on this site. These fake losers are beyond pathetic-- they can actually pose a risk to the youngest members of our community, by supplying transition information not based on actual experience. Some are simply attracted to transsexuals and trying to gain the trust of a young transsexual woman in hopes of living a fantasy through them, getting photos or even having sexual encounters. For more on the dangers of fake transsexuals, please see my section on online safety.

A searchable database of articles on gender variance.

A weekly radio show featuring gender-related interviews that ran from 1997-2006.

Available on this site.