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A review by snow_phie
The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice by Shon Faye
5.0
An important and much needed book, particularly given the anti-trans and LGBT backlash the UK is experiencing at the moment.
Shon writes clearly and compellingly, including the voices and perspectives of actual trans people (seems obvious and yet happens very little among trans 'commentators'). She takes an intersectional lens and stays away from the dog whistle issues that normally dominate the debate (bathrooms, women's sports, etc.)
Instead she focuses on access to healthcare, employment discrimination, sex work, the prison system, etc. What I loved the most about the book is how she draws connections between issues and movements, calling for alliances and finding common ground to achieve the systemic change so desperately needed for many.
She also provides meaningful context to the LGBT movement in the UK, looking at historical people who would be read as trans or non binary today, making sense of how the T and the LGB are intrinsically linked, and the complex history of feminism and trans people.
Essential read to any person who aspires to something better, for trans and cis people alike. I will leave you with this quote: "Misogyny, homophobia and transphobia share much of the same DNA. To the patriarchy, we all do gender wrong."
Shon writes clearly and compellingly, including the voices and perspectives of actual trans people (seems obvious and yet happens very little among trans 'commentators'). She takes an intersectional lens and stays away from the dog whistle issues that normally dominate the debate (bathrooms, women's sports, etc.)
Instead she focuses on access to healthcare, employment discrimination, sex work, the prison system, etc. What I loved the most about the book is how she draws connections between issues and movements, calling for alliances and finding common ground to achieve the systemic change so desperately needed for many.
She also provides meaningful context to the LGBT movement in the UK, looking at historical people who would be read as trans or non binary today, making sense of how the T and the LGB are intrinsically linked, and the complex history of feminism and trans people.
Essential read to any person who aspires to something better, for trans and cis people alike. I will leave you with this quote: "Misogyny, homophobia and transphobia share much of the same DNA. To the patriarchy, we all do gender wrong."