Book Review: Trans Sex by Lucie Fielding

Introduction

Trans Sex by Lucie Fielding, PhD, MA, LMHC, is a groundbreaking text that offers a transformative perspective on the often overlooked sexual lives and erotic embodiments of trans and nonbinary people. In a world where trans and nonbinary narratives are frequently reduced to stories of dysphoria, trauma, and medical transition, Fielding’s work boldly centers pleasure, joy, and embodied exploration as essential components of sexual health and wellbeing. The book was recognized as a finalist in the Transgender Nonfiction Category of the 2022 Lambda Literary Awards and received the AASECT Book Award for Sexuality Professionals, affirming its impact and relevance within the field of sex education and therapy.

Fielding’s approach challenges the dominant narratives that have traditionally framed trans sexualities—narratives that often focus on preventing dysphoria, maintaining sexual function, or dealing with perceived sexual losses due to transition. Instead, Trans Sex encourages readers to reframe these discussions to focus on pleasure and the diverse ways that trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals can experience erotic embodiment. This shift is significant for both therapists and clients; it opens up new possibilities for understanding sexual health beyond the limitations of a cisnormative framework, making space for the richness and diversity of trans experiences.

Drawing from her own experiences as both a trans client and a therapist, as well as contributions from other trans and nonbinary providers, Fielding provides a comprehensive and intersectional framework that blends social justice, intersectional trans feminism, and radical queer theory. The book emphasizes a more holistic and inclusive approach to sexual health and offers practical strategies for therapists to create safer and more affirming spaces for their clients.

For therapists working in gender-affirmative care, Trans Sex is both a vital resource and a transformative guide. It is not just a text; it is an invitation to reimagine how we talk about sex, pleasure, and the body in therapeutic settings. For individuals—whether trans, nonbinary, or otherwise—looking to deepen their understanding of the intersection of gender and sexuality, this book provides invaluable insights that validate and celebrate diverse erotic lives. Whether you are a therapist, a client, or someone interested in expanding your knowledge about trans and nonbinary experiences, Trans Sex offers tools, language, and frameworks that are not only informative but also liberating.

Overview of the Book

Trans Sex is thoughtfully structured around several key themes that challenge traditional approaches to trans sexualities, offering readers new and inclusive frameworks for understanding and engaging with pleasure. Fielding’s text is a refreshing departure from the dominant narratives that often center around discomfort, dysphoria, and loss in discussions about trans sexualities. Instead, the book is a celebration of erotic embodiment and the myriad ways trans and nonbinary people can experience sexual health and pleasure on their own terms.

The book is divided into multiple chapters, each addressing distinct but interconnected topics that explore the rich and varied landscapes of trans sexualities. These chapters range from reimagining sexual scripts and debunking myths rooted in cisnormativity, to practical strategies for clinicians to incorporate social justice, intersectional trans feminism, and radical queer theory into their practices. Fielding’s approach is multifaceted; she addresses the complexities of navigating trans bodies, desires, and identities while also providing practical tools and exercises to help both clients and therapists cultivate pleasure-centered, affirming spaces.

One notable section of the book focuses on redefining what sex can mean for trans people. Fielding draws upon a range of theoretical perspectives to propose a more expansive understanding of sex that goes beyond conventional ideas of penetrative intercourse. This approach opens up conversations around intimacy, touch, sensation, and the significance of non-genital experiences in cultivating erotic pleasure. The emphasis on deconstructing rigid definitions allows for a broader and more creative exploration of sexuality that is inclusive of all bodies and identities.

Fielding also offers a range of exercises designed to help readers ground themselves in embodied experiences and become more attuned to their desires and needs. For instance, she presents a metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle to help clients deconstruct inherited narratives about sex and explore new, self-defined pathways toward pleasure (p. 52) . These practical exercises invite both therapists and clients to step away from normative expectations and experiment with new ways of engaging with their bodies and each other in more curious, compassionate, and authentic ways.

Throughout the book, readers will find practical guidance on navigating sexual health and pleasure, incorporating strategies such as safer sex practices, consent-building exercises, and activities for overcoming internalized narratives of shame and inadequacy. Fielding’s integration of intersectional frameworks, such as social justice and radical queer theory, encourages readers to consider the broader social and cultural contexts that shape trans sexualities. This perspective is crucial for understanding the unique challenges that trans and nonbinary individuals face in accessing affirming sexual health care and reclaiming their sexual agency.

What makes Trans Sex particularly compelling is its seamless transition from theory to practice. Each chapter not only presents robust conceptual frameworks but also offers concrete tools that can be easily applied in both clinical and personal contexts. These tools range from reflective exercises and body-centered practices to discussions that challenge readers to consider how systemic forces like patriarchy, cisnormativity, and ableism shape sexual experiences and identities. The book’s user-friendly structure allows readers to engage deeply with these concepts while also providing clear pathways for integrating them into real-world therapeutic settings.

Enriching the text further are personal anecdotes from Fielding’s dual perspective as both a trans client and therapist. These narratives are interwoven throughout the book, adding depth and relatability to the theoretical discussions and practical exercises. Additionally, Fielding incorporates contributions from other trans and nonbinary providers working at the intersection of gender-affirmative care and sexuality. This collaborative approach not only amplifies a diversity of voices but also enriches the reader’s understanding of the multiple ways that trans and nonbinary people experience and reclaim their sexualities.

In sum, Trans Sex is more than just a book—it is a toolkit for therapists, clients, and anyone interested in understanding the nuances of trans sexualities. It serves as both a theoretical and practical guide, offering a wealth of resources that aim to deconstruct harmful narratives, empower trans and nonbinary people, and foster a more inclusive and pleasure-centered approach to sexual health.

Core Concepts Introduced in the Book

Fielding (2021) introduces several core concepts that are central to the book’s message, encouraging a paradigm shift in how sex and sexuality are approached in therapeutic contexts with trans and nonbinary clients. A fundamental idea presented in Trans Sex is the move from a focus on avoiding dysphoria to centering pleasure and affirming gender experiences. This perspective is essential for both therapists and clients, as it departs from pathologizing narratives that often dominate discussions about trans sexualities and instead promotes a more holistic, affirming approach to sexual health and well-being. By centering pleasure, Fielding encourages a more expansive understanding of what sexual experiences can entail for trans and nonbinary people, going beyond traditional, cisnormative definitions and expectations.

One illustrative concept that Fielding (2021) employs is the metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle to help clients deconstruct and reconstruct their understanding of sex and pleasure (p. 52). This exercise allows clients to critically examine and challenge the cultural scripts they have internalized about what sex “should” be, inviting them to explore their own desires without being constrained by normative expectations. Through this metaphor, clients are encouraged to think creatively and expansively about what sex and pleasure mean to them, leading to a more individualized and authentic experience of their sexuality.

Another significant section is “Sex on Our Terms” by Bianca Palmisano, which provides an exercise aimed at helping trans individuals process and transform trauma related to their bodies and sexual experiences (Palmisano, 2021, p. 68). In this chapter, Palmisano describes a practical, group-based activity where participants use post-it notes to replace negative messages about their bodies with affirming ones. This activity not only facilitates a space for individual reflection but also fosters a sense of community healing and interdependence. The exercise highlights how communal support and collective affirmation can play a critical role in helping trans and nonbinary people reclaim and celebrate their bodies and sexualities, countering the internalized shame and societal stigma they often face.

Fielding’s book also incorporates other key concepts that encourage therapists to utilize tools that affirm and validate the diverse sexual expressions of trans and nonbinary clients. By integrating frameworks such as intersectional trans feminism and radical queer theory, Fielding (2021) provides clinicians with a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of trans sexualities in a way that is both respectful and affirming. These frameworks challenge clinicians to think beyond binary and essentialist views of gender and sexuality, instead embracing a more fluid and inclusive approach that validates all bodies and desires.

Overall, the core concepts introduced in Trans Sex provide a much-needed reframing of trans sexualities, offering therapists and clients new tools and perspectives to engage with pleasure in a way that is liberating and affirming.

How This Book Stands Out

Trans Sex by Fielding (2021) distinguishes itself by placing a strong emphasis on pleasure-centered, gender-affirming approaches to sexuality, rather than the more common focus on avoiding dysphoria or managing sexual dysfunction in trans clients. Fielding’s book centers pleasure and creative engagement as essential components of the therapeutic process, advocating for a shift in how sexual health is conceptualized and addressed in therapy. This approach is particularly valuable for Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer clients, whose experiences are often marginalized, pathologized, or overlooked in mainstream sexuality discourse. By centering pleasure, Fielding invites both therapists and clients to engage with sexuality in ways that are affirming and liberating, moving beyond deficit-focused models that often dominate discussions about trans sexualities.

What sets Trans Sex apart is its integration of multiple theoretical frameworks, including intersectional trans feminism and radical queer theory. This makes the book a rich resource for therapists who seek to adopt a more inclusive and affirming approach in their practice. Fielding (2021) combines these frameworks with practical exercises and reflective activities, offering clinicians concrete tools to help clients explore their sexualities in empowering and self-affirming ways. By blending theory with practice, the book provides a comprehensive guide for therapists to create more inclusive, pleasure-positive therapeutic environments.

Compared to other texts like Trans Bodies, Trans Selves (Erickson-Schroth, 2014), which offers a broad overview of trans experiences with an emphasis on medical transition and the associated challenges, Trans Sex presents a more nuanced exploration of sexuality and embodiment. While Trans Bodies, Trans Selves is an invaluable resource for understanding the broader context of trans experiences, Fielding’s book specifically hones in on the sexual lives of trans and nonbinary individuals, centring their narratives around joy, pleasure, and creative exploration. This specific focus on pleasure as a critical component of sexual health and its detailed discussion of how therapists can facilitate pleasure-centred, affirming care set Trans Sex apart from other resources in the field.

Overall, Trans Sex is a vital contribution to the field of gender-affirmative therapy and sexuality studies. It challenges existing paradigms and provides therapists, clients, and readers with innovative tools and perspectives that prioritize the diverse experiences and needs of trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people. Fielding’s work encourages a reimagining of what sexual health and wellness can look like when pleasure, agency, and affirmation are at the forefront.

Conclusion

Lucie Fielding’s Trans Sex (2021) is an essential resource for anyone engaged in gender-affirmative therapy or those looking to deepen their understanding of trans and nonbinary sexualities. By centering pleasure and moving beyond traditional, pathologizing approaches to sexual health, Fielding offers a transformative framework that is both innovative and accessible. The book’s combination of theoretical insights and practical exercises empowers therapists to create more inclusive, affirming, and pleasure-centered therapeutic environments that validate the diverse experiences of Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer clients.

For therapists, Trans Sex provides a comprehensive toolkit for integrating intersectional trans feminism, radical queer theory, and social justice principles into clinical practice. For clients and readers from diverse backgrounds, it offers an affirming perspective on sexual health that honors each individual’s unique journey of erotic embodiment. Fielding’s work challenges existing paradigms and encourages a reimagining of what sexual health and wellness can look like when pleasure, creativity, and agency are placed at the center.

Overall, Trans Sex is a vital contribution to the field of inclusive and affirming sexual health practices. Whether you are a clinician, a client, or someone passionate about understanding the full spectrum of human sexuality, this book provides the tools, language, and perspectives needed to foster a more compassionate and expansive view of trans and nonbinary sexualities.

How to Get This Book

You can support local, queer-inclusive bookstores across Canada by purchasing Trans Sex by Lucie Fielding from independent shops that prioritize diverse and inclusive literature. In Vancouver, consider buying from Cross and Crows Books or Little Sisters. If you’re in Toronto, visit Glad Day Bookshop, the world’s oldest LGBTQ bookstore. In Halifax, you can find the book at Venus Envy, Halifax Bookmark, or Agricola Street Books. Alternatively, you can borrow the book by searching for a library near you in BC here. For those who prefer to buy directly from the author, you can also order Trans Sex from Lucie Fielding’s own website. Supporting these local, queer-focused businesses and independent authors helps foster a more inclusive and diverse literary community while ensuring access to valuable resources like Trans Sex.

Reach Out to Us

If you’re interested in working with a gender-affirming therapist in Canada, consider scheduling a free 15-minute consultation with Audrey Wolfe, RCC (she/they), a trans and queer therapist dedicated to inclusive and supportive care. If you’d like to work with Clayre Sessoms, RP, RCT, RCC, RCAT, CCC, ATR-BC (she/they), you can join her waitlist here.

To stay engaged with our community and explore more resources, bookmark our blog for additional trans* and queer-focused book reviews and insights on therapeutic practices.

References

Erickson-Schroth, L. (Ed.). (2014). Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community. Oxford University Press.

Fielding, L. (2021). Trans Sex: Clinical Approaches to Trans and Non-Binary Sexualities and Relationships. Routledge.