Why do “second wave” and “trans feminism” rarely get considered together? Challenging the idea that trans feminism is antagonistic to, or arrived after, second wave feminism, Emily Cousens re-orients trans epistemologies as crucial sites of second wave feminist theorising. By revisiting the contributions of trans individuals writing in underground print publications, as well as the more well-known arguments of Andrea Dworkin, this book demonstrates that valuable yet overlooked trans feminist philosophies of sex and gender were present throughout the US second wave. It argues that not only were these trans feminist epistemologies an important component of second wave feminism’s knowledge production, but that this period has an unacknowledged trans feminist legacy.

Trans Feminist Epistemologies in the US Second Wave is the first book to explore the philosophical and intellectual contributions of trans individuals in the 1970s. Arguing that the canon of second wave feminism needs to be expanded to include the conversations taking place in print, Trans Feminist Epistemologies in the US Second Wave highlights the non-binary perspectives of sex and gender that were being articulated in trans community publications, underground feminist print publications, and in the more well-known arguments of radical feminists including Andrea Dworkin.

“Cousens’ book is a remarkable intervention into the history of feminism, demonstrating trans people were not merely present, but were foundational to what became known as second wave feminism. Trans Feminist Epistemologies in the US Second Wave provides us with novel and exciting readings of Andrea Dworkin, fascinating insights into the print culture of the period, and subtle readings of a variety of recondite yet vital thinkers.”

Matthew J. Cull, University of Edinburgh

“Trans Feminist Epistemologies in the US Second Wave makes the compelling argument that not only were trans people always already part of second wave feminism, but their contributions were central to feminism’s intellectual history. Cousens offers a new frame through which to approach second wave feminism, one that centres the contributions of trans people specifically to feminist thinking on the sex/gender distinction and a politics of bodily autonomy. This book insists powerfully that any narrative of feminism must include the vitality of trans epistemologies.”

Sam McBean, Queen Mary University of London, UK