Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality

Joyce writes that the book is about the idea "that people should count as men or women according to how they feel and what they declare, instead of their biology", describes this as gender identity replacing sex, and says this has "far-reaching consequences". Joyce states the book is not about transgender people, but about the lobbying of trans activism.[4]^: intro.

She begins by recounting a history of transgender identity. She describes the gender transitions of Lili Elbe and Christine Jorgensen, as well as influential researchers Magnus Hirschfeld, Harry Benjamin, and John Money, stating that these researchers all had unscientific beliefs about the nature of sex.[4]^{: ch. 1} She next discusses Blanchard's typology, in which trans women are classified into androphilic and autogynephilic types, and Anne Lawrence's research into the accounts of other self-identified autogynephiles. She next discusses the popularization of this research in The Man Who Would Be Queen, and the ensuing controversy.[4]^{: ch. 2} While agreeing with the existence of gender dysphoria, she criticizes the concept of gender identity, calling it a "sexed soul" and a form of mind–body dualism, and criticizes activists that state that being male or female has nothing to do with the physical body. She states that the concept is intellectually rooted in postmodernist philosophy, and gives rebuttals to arguments that sex is too complicated or socially constructed to be useful.[4]^{: ch. 3}

She next relates various academic debates around the treatment of gender dysphoria in children. She criticizes the "gender affirmative" approach and argues that puberty blockers "block the developmental process whereby gender dysphoria often resolves", and argues this leads to lifelong health issues.[4]^{: ch. 4} She endorses the concept of rapid onset gender dysphoria, and compares it to past psychological social contagions and to culture-bound syndromes. She also relates the experiences of several detransitioners.[4]^{: ch. 5} She criticizes educational materials for children as equating non-conformity to gender stereotypes with being trans. She also argues that, as happened in the 1970s, activists are being careless about the safeguarding of children from sexual abuse.[4]^{: ch. 6}

She argues that most feminism has become disconnected from issues related to female embodiment, and has become unable to even name them. She criticizes the asymmetry between how gender and race are viewed, and argues that lesbians have come under particular pressure to accept unwanted sexual partners.[4]^{: ch. 7} She relates the legal cases of Jessica Yaniv, and argues they illustrate the weaknesses of gender self-identification policies. She states that single-sex spaces like changing rooms, domestic violence shelters, and prisons are now such in name only, and that this has led to adverse consequences.[4]^{: ch. 8} She relates various controversies and research related to transgender people in sports.[4]^{: ch. 9}

She discusses the recent history of transgender activism in the United States, and makes a case for why the political left there has become an especially strong proponent of it.[4]^{: ch. 10} She argues that gender self-identification in law infringes on the rights of others and has often been put into place without the general public knowing what is happening or supporting the consequences. She says it has been supported by billionaires and that there is a potential for conflicts of interest between researchers and those who profit from gender medicine.[4]^{: ch. 11} She criticizes many journalists, social media sites, universities, and other organizations as captured by transgender activism.[4]^{: ch. 12} She discusses recent successful resistance in the UK to gender self-identification, as well as Maya Forstater's legal case and the founding of the LGB Alliance. She makes a case for why a "secular, feminist resistance" appeared in the UK rather than somewhere else.[4]^{: ch. 13}

She argues that gender self-identification will not grow to widespread acceptance as same-sex marriage did, and suggests that preference falsification and pluralistic ignorance may be currently at play. She makes suggestions for how to recognize sex when it matters and also accommodate transgender people. She concludes by calling for more negotiation, for more listening, and a recommitment to freedom of belief and of speech.[4]^: concl.

Fiction author Lionel Shriver told The Times that Helen Joyce expected a "rough ride" when planning the book, and met with some reluctance when selling the book.[1] Joyce is often described as a "gender critical" feminist and has met some controversy over the presentation of ideas in the book.[5] In 2022, a lecture by Joyce at the University of Cambridge was boycotted by several professors concerned about some of Joyce's positions,[6] including a college master who described the views expressed in Joyce's book as "offensive, insulting and hateful to members of our community who live and work here".[7][6] The boycott was protested by alumni and donors who threatened to pull their donations and said they would not donate any further without a formal apology.[7] The event was not cancelled and went on as planned in November 2022.[6]

Oneworld Publications published it as their first audiobook, after the offer was not picked up by any existing audiobook company.[18][19]

• Feminist views on transgender topics