Changing Gender (Hardback)

The History and Future of a Concept

Susan Stryker

From the award-winning scholar and filmmaker, an essential, enlightening exploration of gender and the self

Gender is one of the most contested topics of our age, as ideologies are weaponised by the far right and real trans lives are targeted. But what are we talking about when we talk about gender? What are the origins of the concept itself, and where might it take us in the future?

Rooted in decades of deep research and first-hand experience, Susan Stryker's sharp-eyed analysis invites us into her lifelong quest to uncover what gender means and does. From nineteenth-century phrenology to present-day anti-trans conspiracies to examples from her lifetime as an agenda setting historian, filmmaker and activist, Stryker finds surprising places to tune into the origins, idiosyncrasies and generative possibilities of the gender concept.

Publication date: 27/08/2026

£25.00

ISBN: 9781781258163

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Non-Fiction

Changing Gender (Ebook)

The History and Future of a Concept

Susan Stryker

Preorder from

From the award-winning scholar and filmmaker, an essential, enlightening exploration of gender and the self

Gender is one of the most contested topics of our age, as ideologies are weaponised by the far right and real trans lives are targeted. But what are we talking about when we talk about gender? What are the origins of the concept itself, and where might it take us in the future?

Rooted in decades of deep research and first-hand experience, Susan Stryker's sharp-eyed analysis invites us into her lifelong quest to uncover what gender means and does. From nineteenth-century phrenology to present-day anti-trans conspiracies to examples from her lifetime as an agenda setting historian, filmmaker and activist, Stryker finds surprising places to tune into the origins, idiosyncrasies and generative possibilities of the gender concept.

Publication date: 27/08/2026

£19.99

ISBN: 9781782833444

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Non-Fiction

Changing Gender (Audiobook)

The History and Future of a Concept

Susan Stryker

Preorder from

From the award-winning scholar and filmmaker, an essential, enlightening exploration of gender and the self

Gender is one of the most contested topics of our age, as ideologies are weaponised by the far right and real trans lives are targeted. But what are we talking about when we talk about gender? What are the origins of the concept itself, and where might it take us in the future?

Rooted in decades of deep research and first-hand experience, Susan Stryker's sharp-eyed analysis invites us into her lifelong quest to uncover what gender means and does. From nineteenth-century phrenology to present-day anti-trans conspiracies to examples from her lifetime as an agenda setting historian, filmmaker and activist, Stryker finds surprising places to tune into the origins, idiosyncrasies and generative possibilities of the gender concept.

Publication date: 27/08/2026

£24.99

ISBN: 9781805228233

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Non-Fiction

Read by: Susan Stryker

Susan Stryker

Susan Stryker

Susan Stryker is an award-winning historian and filmmaker whose work has shaped conversation on gender and feminism for decades. She holds a visiting Professorship at Stanford University. Previous works include Transgender History, Gay by the Bay and the Emmy Award-winning documentary Screaming Queens.