This arrived on Saturday and I've been reading it since then. I didn't want to write a review before I'd finished, but I was conscious that there only seemed to be ranty 'reviews' from amazon.com available to read, which didn't seem to be based on the book itself.
Chapter One deals with how transgenderism has been socially constructed, drawing a parallel with the social construction of homosexuality. It's worthwhile referring to Sheila Jeffreys' earlier works on sexologists and social constructions of lesbianism such as Anticlimax, The Spinster and Her Enemies and Lesbian Heresy. Also, Celia Kitzinger's Social Construction of Lesbianism goes into depth on this issue. Jeffreys makes the worthwhile point that while criticisms of the 'born this way' or 'invert/pervert' constructions of homosexuality remain free from death threats and accusations of homophobia (because they were themselves homosexual) it's very difficult to engage with the constructions of transgenderism in the same way without being accused of transphobia.
Transphobia itself is not present in the book - Wikipedia uses the definition of ' emotional disgust, fear, anger or discomfort felt or expressed towards people who don't conform to society's gender expectations,' and nobody is more critical of society's gender expectations than Sheila Jeffreys.
Chapter Two explores the contradictions between feminist thought and transgenderism. It may come as a surprise to some who are new to feminism that there are any tensions here, but this is explored thoroughly, with strong arguments made. CEDAW is discussed and this is a convention I feel feminists ought to be more aware of. Shifts in lesbian identities are also explored here.
It does seem to me that unthinking acceptance of an internal gender identity, without any explanation of what one of those would feel like, could well be a death sentence for feminists who want to fight for women's rights without necessarily feeling 'like a woman'.
Chapter Three, 'Doing Transgender', was written in collaboration with Lorene Gottshalk. This looks at the physical and psychological impact of transition. There are plenty of references for the points brought up in this chapter, which are worth investigating if the information and testimony goes against your initial impressions of the arguments. The chapter includes stories of those who have had surgery and regretted it. The fact that these people are pilloried within the online transgender community is mentioned.
Some readers may have noticed the media coverage of the investigation into Dr Richard Curtis's conduct. This is mentioned along with concerns about other practitioners.
Chapter Four is also written together with Lorene Gottshalk and this chapter discusses the ways transgenderism impacts on women who are in relationships with transgender people. I think this is much-needed. There's mention of it in Beauty and Misogyny and that was the first time I'd seen any compassion extended towards the women who find themselves stuck married to/cohabiting with someone who wants to be treated as being the opposite sex to the sex they actually are.
I followed Christine Benvenuto's treatment when she published a book on living with a man who transitioned. She was stalked and picketed and allsorts. It's good that this has finally made it into an academic work. It needs to be recorded and analysed.
I was struck by how chilling it was that one man changed his name to Diane to incorporate his wife's name - Anne, plus part of his name - Dick. This just seems indicative of the wider problem of women's identities being co-opted by males.
I think it's very important that consideration is given to the unpaid labour women are expected to surrender to their transitioning partners. This chapter does just that. It also discusses the impact transition has on their mothers.
Chapter Five focuses on women who transition, and the effect this has on lesbian partners who may feel they have to become more feminine in order to accentuate their partner's 'maleness'. It looks in some depth at the affect this has on lesbian women who are suddenly no longer able to call themselves lesbians.
Chapter Six is aptly named 'Gender Eugenics' and is about the transgendering of children. It's perhaps some of the material in the book that will be most surprising to a general audience. It includes such things as medical advice that parents may become aware their child is transgender as early as 18 months. It's sad to think of children being labelled so early. Again, it mentions disturbing concepts such as children 'living as a girl'. What exactly does it mean to live as a girl?
Chapter Seven looks at legal developments in various countries which lead to clashes of rights between different vulnerable groups. One example is an occasional cross-dresser being able to access women-only support services. Another is the fact that in some places, violent men can access women's prisons after commiting assaults upon women. The dangers of enshrining gender stereotypes into law are explored.
Chapter Eight looks at women-only space and how this has been affected. Michfest is one example discussed. It also covers different aspects of the impact on women's services, such as women being forced to accept counselling from male transgender people, or have no counselling at all.
I hope that readers can take in the impact on women of the practice of transgenderism and not immediately centre the debate on transgender people and their needs. Rights should not come at the expense of other vulnerable groups. Feminism should protect women's interests and safety. This is a very important book and it's very straightforward to read. The references are easy to find and useful.
I can't recommend this book highly enough.
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About the author
Top reviews from other countries
- MeganReviewed in Canada on 14 October 2016
MUST READ - a much needed and wanted critical perspective on the trans ideology
- Wanda B. RedReviewed in the United States on 15 August 2014
Courageous and long overdue
- Erin J GrahamReviewed in Canada on 24 February 2017
and I recommend it to women's studies scholars
- Susan NunesReviewed in the United States on 27 March 2015
A Great, Much-Needed Book
