New Books in LGBTQ+ Studies · New Books Network

Trans Technologies

·1 hr 3 min·5 clips

Researchers created facial prosthetics to let iPhones recognize multiple identities, inspired by trans experiences.

Dr. Oliver Hameson, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan's School of Information, discusses his book "Trans Technologies" with host Dr. Christina Gessler. Hameson defines trans technology in two primary ways: as practical tools addressing specific trans needs and as conceptual projects embracing change and transition. His research began with a list of 25 items but expanded to over 200 through interviews with more than 100 creators, using a snowball sampling method. The book documents technologies ranging from hormone-tracking apps to community safety kits distributed by the Oakland-based mutual aid group "We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For." Hameson highlights a facial prosthetic project from Barcelona that allows users to create multiple digital identities, initially conceived for trans contexts but applicable to surveillance resistance. He critiques how mainstream platforms enforce restrictive identity categories, like binary gender options or unchangeable names, which fail to accommodate transition. A central concept in the book is "ambivalence," the idea that contradictory emotions like anger and joy can coexist and be generative, as seen in the "Trans Rage Jam" and subsequent "Trans Joy Jam" game jams. Hameson argues technology often serves as a "stopgap" for marginalization but cannot solve systemic issues like transphobia alone. The research reveals a privilege gap, as many trans tech creators possess high technical education, potentially overlooking needs of less privileged community members. Historical examples show trans contributions to mainstream tech, like Lynn Conway's microchip designs and early online communities on AOL. Archival projects, such as the Digital Transgender Archive, work to preserve this often-erased history while navigating ethical concerns about consent and representation. The tone is academic yet accessible, blending scholarly analysis with concrete examples and interview excerpts. Listeners interested in technology's social impact, LGBTQ+ studies, or design ethics will find this episode compelling. Those seeking a purely technical guide or optimistic narrative about tech solving social problems may find it less aligned with their interests.

As heard by us

A clear-eyed look at trans life as a design question, a political reality, and a communal practice.

Trans Technologies makes a solid case that technology is never just technical when trans lives are on the line. Dr. Christina Gessler and Dr. Oliver Hameson connect mutual aid, housing precarity, and community safety to design questions, and the result is a clear reminder that…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play if you want trans technology grounded in real community practice.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from New Books in LGBTQ+ Studies