Writing Trans and Nonbinary Characters in Contemporary Romance

As writers, we all want to create worlds that reflect the ones we live in. While Trans and Non-binary individuals have always existed, the media in which they are represented have not reflected the real-life experiences of trans and nonbinary individuals. How does one avoid falling into harmful tropes or creating offensive stereotypes?

In this 4-week training, trans playwright and TGNC (Trans and Gender Non-Conforming) Sensitivity/Authenticity Reader Ashley Lauren Rogers provides writers with an understanding of the issues around creating trans and non-binary characters and narratives that can help you avoid common pitfalls.

Ashley Lauren Rogers is an award-winning writer, TGNC sensitivity reader, and trans rights activist. Her play, Oddity received an honorable mention on The Kilroys “The List,” 2020. Her play, Becky’s Xmas Wish, and a monologue from Chasing The Ghost will be appearing in Smith and Krauss’s Best Short Scene and Women’s Monologues compilations.

She’s a Trans Theatre Lab writing fellow 2019, the Literary Director for Step1 Theatre Project, and artist in residence at Middlesex County Vocational-Technical School 2018-2019. Her works have been performed at Dixon Place, MITF, the Brick, Joe’s Pub, and others. Becky’s Xmas Wish was a finalist for the City Theatre National Short Play Award, Miami, and her work has been produced in Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Maine, Iowa, New Jersey, Detroit, and Minneapolis. She’s been featured on Fusion TV’s Peabody award nominated Sex.Right.Now, and panels for Revry.TV. She is a creator of the Is It Transphobic and The Right to Play Podcasts.