India, June 1 -- The essay is 'a story of trans becoming that digs into the messiness of bodies, gender and identity'.

"Having come out as transgender aged 31, I re-examine my youth in light of this new knowledge. 'Reading the Mess Backwards' explores how we come to understand and perform our gender in a world of restrictive binaries and male dominance," Dr Rees said.

"By insisting upon the slippery nature of gendered identity, the essay questions what means to be 'male' or 'female' - and raises the possibility of being something else altogether.

Created by the Australian Book Review, the prize recognises an outstanding new non-fiction essay of 2000-5000 words.

Judges J.M. Coetzee, Lisa Gorton, and Peter Rose chose Dr Rees's winning e...