Jennifer Reynolds

Jennifer Finney Boylan is an American author, professor, and prominent transgender activist. Born in 1958, she has held faculty positions at Colby College and currently teaches at Barnard College as a Professor of English and Writer-in-Residence. Boylan has authored numerous books, including novels, short story collections, and memoirs. Her 2003 memoir, "She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders," was a groundbreaking bestseller and is considered a significant work in transgender literature. She has also co-authored a novel with Jodi Picoult and published a memoir about her dogs. Boylan has been a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and has served in leadership roles for organizations like PEN America and GLAAD, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. She has frequently appeared in various media to discuss her life, work, and activism, and has spoken at numerous universities.

Jennifer Finney Boylan's literary career spans various genres, including novels, short stories, and deeply personal memoirs. Her writing often explores themes of identity, gender, and personal transformation. Her memoir, "She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders," published in 2003, marked a significant moment, becoming the first bestseller by an openly transgender American author and earning recognition as a foundational text in transgender literary history. Boylan's work is characterized by its candid exploration of her experiences as a trans woman, reflecting on the complexities of self-discovery and evolving personal identity. She has continued to share her journey through subsequent memoirs, such as "Good Boy: My Life in Seven Dogs," and has also collaborated on fiction, notably with Jodi Picoult on "Mad Honey."

Beyond her writing, Jennifer Finney Boylan has a distinguished academic career. She has been a professor at Colby College and currently holds a position at Barnard College, where she is a Professor of English and the Anna Quindlen Writer-in-Residence. Her academic work is complemented by her extensive involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy. Boylan has served in leadership capacities for prominent organizations, including as the first openly transgender co-chair of GLAAD's National Board of Directors and, more recently, as president of PEN America. Her activism extends to policy advisory boards and speaking engagements at numerous universities, where she discusses her life, books, and the broader issues of transgender rights and visibility.

Jennifer Finney Boylan has cultivated a significant public profile through her media appearances and public speaking. She has been a guest on major television and radio programs, including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Larry King Live," and NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!" Her role as a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times provided a platform for her to share her perspectives for over a decade. Boylan has also been featured in documentaries and reality television, notably appearing on "20/20" and serving as a consultant for Caitlyn Jenner's show "I Am Cait." Her public engagement aims to foster understanding and dialogue about transgender experiences and identity.

“I've been maybe three or four different women at this point in my life. Early on in transition, I was very youthful. I cared a lot about my appearance and being sexy and my clothes. Fashion was really important to me, passing was really important to me. Appearing cis, I'm sorry to say, was probably more important to me than it should have been...It's the spectacular mystery of life, the way we keep becoming other versions of ourselves.”