Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica

Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica is a curated anthology of erotic fiction that centers the sexual narratives, desires, and identities of transgender and genderqueer individuals. Edited by Tristan Taormino, this collection offers a diverse and authentic exploration of pleasure, serving as an essential resource for readers seeking representation in LGBTQIA+ erotic literature.

The anthology addresses a significant gap in mainstream media, where the erotic lives of transgender and genderqueer people are frequently oversimplified, sensationalized, or rendered invisible. By bringing together twenty-five distinct stories, the book celebrates the heat, diversity, and complexity of these sexualities. The central theme revolves around the power of being seen and acknowledged in a sexual context, moving beyond the narrow focus on 'passing' to explore deep desire, intimacy, and self-actualization.

Readers are taken on a journey through a wide array of settings and scenarios, ranging from San Francisco to Israel, and from heartache to intense lust. The narratives encompass a broad spectrum of experiences, including stranger encounters, long-term relationships, and personal milestones like ten-year anniversaries. The stories feature characters from various backgrounds, including ballet dancers, leatherclad bears, fumbling teenagers, trans men, trans women, and those who exist in between and beyond traditional gender binaries.

The collection features contributions from renowned authors, activists, and educators in the fields of gender studies and sexuality. The roster includes Kate Bornstein, Patrick Califia, S. Bear Bergman, Ivan Coyote, Julia Serrano, Laura Antoniou, Helen Boyd, Rachel Kramer Bussel, Toni Amato, Alicia E. Goranson, filmmaker Tobi Hill-Meyer, musician Rahne Alexander, songwriter Shawna Virago, and bloggers Andrea Zanin and Sinclair Sexsmith. This diverse group of writers ensures that the perspectives within the book are rich, nuanced, and deeply informed by personal and professional expertise.

Each story challenges conventional notions of gender, exploring what it means to be gender-defying and how breaking boundaries can be inherently sexy. The anthology is designed to be a deliciously diverse addition to any erotica collection, offering page after page of sizzle and sensuality. It showcases the deepest desires of FTMs, MTFs, and gender outlaws, providing a platform for voices that are often marginalized in the broader literary landscape.

Published in 2011 as a trade paperback, the book spans 283 pages and serves as both an entertainment product and a cultural document. It is ideal for individuals interested in LGBTQIA+ literature, erotic fiction, and those seeking to expand their understanding of transgender and genderqueer sexual experiences. The book is part of Cleis Press's commitment to providing high-quality, educational, and entertaining materials on human sexuality.