TRANS PB

Biological sex is no longer accepted as a basic fact of life. It is forbidden to admit that female people sometimes need protection and privacy from male ones. In an analysis that is at once expert, sympathetic and urgent, Helen Joyce offers an antidote to the chaos and cancelling.

Helen Joyce is a senior staff journalist at The Economist, where she has held several positions, including Britain editor, Finance editor and International editor. Before joining The Economist in 2005 she edited Plus, an online magazine about mathematics published by the University of Cambridge. She has a PhD in mathematics from University College London.

Stephen's review:

'A significant and important book is Trans by the brilliant Irish journalist and mathematician Helen Joyce. This is an excellent and convincing deep-dive critique of the trans movement and if you are serious about the subject, it is a must read! Joyce introduces the subject firstly by telling the story behind the famous film ‘The Danish Girl’ and then uses the storyline of the movie ‘The Matrix’ to draw the reader into the worldview of the trans community. This is fascinating because the writers, producers and directors of the Matrix, the Wachowski siblings, were born male but transitioned to identify as female.

From this point Joyce begins to investigate the trans culture that has developed on both sides of the Atlantic. Many of her findings are truly frightening. She suggests that trans culture is not a popular uprising but rather a well-funded campaign by radical activists who have essentially moved their case forward by stealth. She also notes that the radicals are not just interested in redefining gender, but redefining sex also. Joyce then describes how this ideology has adversely affected children and especially young girls. From this point she investigates the practical problems that emerge, for example in sport and in the use of bathrooms and safe spaces. All of this is backed up by evidence and real-life stories. It is difficult to read this book without feeling at least a little afraid about the direction of travel in culture. My ultimate conclusion having read this book, is that the trans debate and its advocates, such as the charities Stonewall and Mermaids, are among the biggest threats that contemporary society faces.'

Publisher: Oneworld Publications (5 May 2022)
Language: English
Paperback: 352 pages