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JoAnn Roberts and transgender people

JoAnn Roberts (March 18, 1948–June 7, 2013) was an American publisher and activist whose important work bridges the transition from print to digital transgender resources.

Background

Roberts founded Creative Design Services (CDS) in 1985. Print magazines included:

  • Ladylike
  • International TransScript

Books included:

  • Art & Illusion: A Guide to Crossdressing
    • Vol. 1: Face & Hair
    • Vol. 2: Fashion & Style
  • The Transsexual’s Survival Guide to Transition & Beyond
    • Volume 2: for Family, Friends, & Employers
  • Coping with Crossdressing: Tools & Strategies for Partners

Roberts also produced instructional videos as well as social events like Paradise in the Poconos and Beauty And The Beach.

Roberts co-founded the Renaissance Education Association, the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition, the Congress of Transgender Organizations, the Transgender Alliance for Community, and GenderPac, and served an important role in the second International Congress on Crossdressing, Sex, and Gender.

In 1991, Roberts authored the Gender Bill of Rights.

In 1995 Roberts began developing several websites, first via CDS. then via 3-D Communications, Inc. with Jamie Faye Fenton and Angela Gardner from 1996 to 2006. Roberts absorbed all of the assets back into CDS in 2006.

  • cdspub.com
  • 3dcom.com
  • transgender.org
  • tgforum.com

Roberts died of lung cancer in 2013 and was posthumously honored with a Virginia Prince Award that year.

References

Roberts, JoAnn (1990). A Bill of Gender Rights. [archive]

Resources

Creative Design Services (cdspub.com)