An Evening with Elliott DeLine
Visiting Trans Author
On October 6th, the Women’s and Gender Studies Program welcomed back trans author Elliott DeLine for a reading of his newest publication Show Trans. The nonfiction novel describes issues regarding sex addiction, sex work, navigating the MSM scene, a trip west, dissociative identity disorder, and the struggle to find love, connection, and self-actualization as a non-binary trans person.
DeLine read a few excerpts from “Show Trans,” one of which described the issues in the trans community regarding medical visits. His story highlighted why gender and sexual binaries are problematic when they are assumed as definitive. In the discussion that follow, DeLine spoke about writing in the nonfiction context. He explained, “I wanted to avoid writing the typical transgender novel,” reaffirming how the trans identity is only one component of an individual’s identity. In other words, trans people do more than “transition.”
DeLine also gave his perspective on the trans community’s media presence. At this time, there are prominent voices in media such as Laverne Cox, Janet Mock and Carmen Carrera. DeLine claims Janet Mock, like himself has been accused of alienated allies. However, he said “What I respect is that she doesn’t dumb it down.”
In addition to his writing career, Elliott DeLine is the founder and vice president of nonprofit CNY for Solidarity, Inc. He is also the coordinator of Queer Mart, an LGBTQ+ arts and crafts fair. DeLine currently lives in Syracuse, NY and contributes to trans activism in the area.
For more information on Elliott DeLine, visit is page and/or follow him on Twitter.