Trace the remarkable histories of transgender and gender nonconforming athletes in organized sports.

In his new book, The Other Olympians, journalist Michael Waters uncovers the gripping true stories of trans and intersex athletes at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin. His research included work at the Library as the 2021–2022 Martin Duberman Visiting Scholar, a fellowship which promotes excellence in LGBTQ studies. The Other Olympians reveals the long history of gender diversity in organized sports and adds crucial context to contemporary culture wars over gender in sports.

Waters discusses what’s behind our nearly century-long obsession with surveilling and cataloging gender in organized sports. 

To join | Please register for an In-Person Ticket. Doors will open around 1:30 PM. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Michael Waters has written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, WIRED, Slate, Vox, and elsewhere. He was the 2021–22 New York Public Library Martin Duberman Visiting Scholar in LGBTQ studies and lives in Brooklyn.

READ THE BOOK:

• Borrow: NYPL Catalog


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ACCESSIBILITY

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Michael Waters © Xander Opiyo