Technology has always been a powerful force for change, but for transgender individuals, it has become an essential tool for survival, connection, and self-expression. In his groundbreaking new book Trans Technologies, University of Michigan School of Information assistant professor Oliver Haimson explores how transgender people and their allies are leveraging technology to address the unique challenges they face. Published by MIT Press, Trans Technologies offers a comprehensive look at the ways trans communities are innovating digital spaces to better meet their needs. Through over a hundred interviews with creators of trans-focused technology, Haimson presents a deeply personal and transformative study of technological empowerment.
Technology as a Tool for Trans Empowerment
Haimson’s research highlights the ways in which transgender individuals have historically been excluded from mainstream technological development. Instead of passively accepting these limitations, trans creators have taken action by designing apps, online spaces, and digital tools specifically tailored to their experiences. One notable example is an app designed by a trans woman to help her track when she applies her estrogen patches for hormone replacement therapy. What began as a personal solution became a tool that could benefit others in the community.
“My vision is a world where smaller, self-created communities, whether by trans people or other marginalized groups, can create and moderate spaces that truly meet their needs, rather than trying to fit into larger, mainstream spaces,” Haimson explains.
For many transgender individuals, digital environments have provided a refuge from the discrimination they often face in the physical world. Projects like Through the Wardrobe, which allows users to explore gender identity through virtual clothing, demonstrate the potential of augmented reality to foster self-discovery and self-affirmation. These digital experiences enable trans people to experiment with their identities in a safe and supportive environment, something that mainstream platforms often fail to provide.
Mutual Aid and Digital Care in the Trans Community
One of the key themes in Trans Technologies is the concept of technological trans care—the idea that trans people are creating innovative digital tools to support one another in ways that traditional institutions have failed to do. In recent years, as anti-trans legislation has surged, many trans individuals have turned to technology to bridge critical gaps in healthcare, legal advocacy, and community support.
“The book touches on ‘technological trans care,’ where instead of providing physical care, trans people care for one another digitally,” Haimson says. “This theme of mutual aid, and using technology to ensure that people have what they need, runs throughout the book.”
Examples of this include digital services such as anti-trans legislation trackers, databases of LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare providers, and maps of queer-friendly businesses. Other trans-specific tech projects include plug-ins that allow users to replace instances of their deadname with their chosen name, video games designed to explore gender identity, and peer support networks that provide emotional and mental health resources. These tools demonstrate the resilience and ingenuity of the trans community in navigating an often-hostile social landscape.
The Role of Mainstream Platforms in Trans Inclusion
Haimson’s work also critically examines the role of major tech companies in shaping the experiences of trans individuals online. While some platforms have made efforts toward inclusivity, others have actively worked against trans visibility. Social media giants like Meta have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments, while tech leaders like Elon Musk have been accused of fostering environments where online transphobia thrives.
“One of the big things that I’m arguing in the book is that it really needs to start more with communities,” Haimson states in a recent interview with Mashable. “Mainstream platforms have no intention really of including trans people anymore. That makes me feel like this moment for trans technology is so important. It’s so vital to have these alternative technologies because we can’t rely on mainstream platforms, and we can’t even try to make them better because they are not on board with inclusion anymore.”
This shift has made the development of independent trans technologies more urgent than ever. Haimson distinguishes between technological inclusionism—the attempt to make mainstream platforms more inclusive—and technological separatism, which involves creating entirely new digital spaces that center trans experiences. While both approaches have their merits, it is becoming increasingly clear that trans individuals need their own technological ecosystems where they can thrive without fear of censorship or discrimination.
Trans Technology as a Form of Resistance
Beyond providing practical solutions, trans technology has also become a means of resistance against political and social oppression. In 2023 alone, 420 trans individuals were murdered, and over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in U.S. state legislatures. As governments and institutions attempt to erase trans identities, digital spaces have become battlegrounds for visibility, advocacy, and survival.
Haimson emphasizes that trans technology is not just about convenience—it’s about self-determination. By designing their own tools and platforms, trans people are asserting control over their identities and futures in ways that traditional institutions have denied them. In the face of rising transphobia, these digital innovations offer hope and tangible resources for those in need.
A Vital Contribution to Trans Studies and Digital Culture
Haimson’s Trans Technologies is a critical contribution to both transgender studies and the field of human-computer interaction. It bridges the gap between academia and lived experience, making complex technological discussions accessible to the very people who will benefit from them the most.
“A lot of the people I’m writing for aren’t reading academic journals, so it feels rewarding to have the book out there for people who will benefit from it,” Haimson says. “This is a version of my research that’s accessible to a broader audience, and that’s exciting.”
The book is not only an academic study but also a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and ingenuity of trans individuals who refuse to be left behind by technological progress. Whether through grassroots digital activism, innovative app development, or the creation of alternative online spaces, trans people are demonstrating that they are not merely passive users of technology—they are pioneers shaping its future.
The Bottom Line
At a time when trans rights are under attack, Trans Technologies serves as a crucial reminder of the power of digital innovation in fostering community, care, and resistance. The book highlights the ways in which trans individuals have taken technology into their own hands, creating solutions that address their unique challenges and needs.
For transgender individuals, their families, and allies, Trans Technologies offers a compelling exploration of how technology can be a tool for empowerment, advocacy, and survival. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the trans community and a call to action for those who wish to support and uplift trans creators in the digital age.
Trans Technologies is available for purchase through MIT Press or Amazon (affiliate link). For more insights, read the full Mashable interview with Oliver Haimson here.
