There are fantastical stories with actual transgender characters, some for whom that is central and others for whom that isn't. And there are stories without transgender characters, but with metaphors and symbolism in their place, genuine expressions of self through such speculative fiction tropes as shapeshifting and programming. Transgender individuals see themselves in transformative characters, those outsiders, before seeing themselves as human protagonists. Those feelings are still valid. But though the stories involve transformation and outsiders, sometimes the change is one of self-realization. This anthology will be a welcome read for those who are ready to transcend gender through the lens of science fiction, fantasy, and other works of imaginative fiction.

Introduction /K.M. Szpara -- The shape of my name / Nino Cipri -- into the waters I rode down / Jack Hollis Marr -- Everything beneath you / Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam -- Contents of care package to Etsath-tachri, formerly Ryan Andrew Curran (Human English translated to Sedrayin) / Holly Heisey -- The petals abide / Benjamin Sriduangkaew -- Treasure acre / Everett Maroon -- Splitskin / E. Catherine Tobler -- The need for overwhelming sensation / Bogi Takacs -- The Scaper's muse / B.R. Sanders -- The librarian's dilemma / E. Saxey -- Chosen / Margarita Tenser -- Where monsters dance / A. Merc Rustad -- Be not unequally yoked / Alexis A. Hunter -- The thing on the cheerleading squad / Molly Tanzer -- Kim, painted / Penny Stirling.