Paper Genders. Il mito del cambiamento di sesso

by Walt Heyer

Il vivace dibattito sul tema dell'identità sessuale, scaturito dai movimenti GLBTQ al fine di ottenere nuovi diritti all'"identità di genere" e all'orientamento sessuale, rende questo libro particolarmente attuale. La prima parte approfondisce il tema del transessualismo partendo dall'esperienza di vita dell'autore, l'americano Walt Heyer, che ha vissuto personalmente il clima culturale intriso di reticenze e di falsità propagandate come "scienza". Ripercorrendo il discusso rapporto Kinsey fino al tragico esperimento del dottor Money sui gemelli Reimer, l'autore pone seri motivi di riflessione su tematiche così eticamente sensibili. Richiama anche ad una sana aderenza all'evidenza della realtà: l'identità sessuata è un "dato" che precede ogni decisione o preferenza personale. Il ricorso alla "chirurgia di riattribuzione del sesso", così frequentemente sbandierata come un atto di libertà individuale, viene esplorato, nella seconda parte del libro, da tre esperti dell'area bioetica (Fitzgibbons, Sutton, O'Leary). Il loro contributo, basato su considerazioni biologiche, psicologiche e sociologiche, offre un ulteriore spunto intorno a una corretta informazione su questi temi delicati.

Paperback

First published February 2, 2011

About the author

Walt Heyer is a detransistioned transgender author and speaker. His particular passion is for individuals experiencing sex-change regret.

Reviews

[Rachel Eliason · Rating 1 out of 5]

“The truth is: transgenders are treated like rock stars.”

Yes, that's a direct quote from the book. It's part of a long rant about how transgender people aren't really discriminated against in society. Even though not a paragraph later the author says, “As a former transgender myself,” they “went on 200 job interviews without success.”

If trans youth are discriminated against some of the time, it does matter because according to this author there is no proof that bullying leads to suicide. “Ninety percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric illness – such as major depression...” Major depression “has many causes” including physical and verbal abuse. I am not sure how physical and verbal abuse is different from bullying, but apparently it is.

Between these gems of wisdom are entire chapters devoted to explaining how Alfred Kinsey was a pedophile and how lobotomies were wrong. I am not sure that the first “fact” is true and not sure how the second relates to trans people. (Other than to show the medical profession has been wrong in the past.)

I tried to read this book with an open mind, I really did. I tried to give the author the benefit of the doubt. But the book sort of speaks for itself. The statistics are questionable, the logic is flawed and his own bias is too apparent.

If there really are a lot of transgender people out there who have had the surgery and now regret it, please find a better spokesperson. This guy isn't giving you any credibility.

[Rebecca Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

I appreciated the data from scientific research along with his personal insight. I am thankful to the author for sharing all his hard work with us. I learned a lot from this book.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much of the factual information in this book was a rehash of information I read in another Heyer book. I found that reading to be informative though not so much this one. Heyer is passionate about the topic but his passion oftentimes made me question his objectivity and therefore some of the book commentary.

[Doug Winder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. But only if you are willing to look at facts. Walt is not condemning transgenders. He is simply looking out for those whose lives are made worse by agendas over facts. He is trying to reveal as many truths as possible that are being overlooked, ignored, hidden, and forcibly denied. He wants transgenders to get the help that truly is help that leaves them with a better life and not a life of unrepairable regrets.
I learned a lot from reading this book.
If you insist on holding on to your non-research, founded beliefs do not read this book.

[Jtp · Rating 2 out of 5]

insightful to read what the other side argues about gender reassignment....weak links presented between gender dysphoria, pedophilia and rape...I think Mr. Heyer is a very sad and suffering individual

[Amber Elder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting information laying out the history of surgical procedures.

[Carol Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A balanced look at GID and regret after having gender change surgery.

[Jenny Jacobs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ramblings of a jesus freak

I came across this book to understand dangers of changing gender...Since I'm in transition myself..On laser, hormones and operations.I just wanted to prepare myself if I come across anything significant practically in my life ahead..What I found in this book?
The book says-
1-All doctors who established surgery n Hormones as gender reassignment protocols were pedophilic homosexuals..Long and boring chapter on their sexual history.
2- All transwomen like me are pampered liars who are treated like rockstars but should be ideally totally discriminated against for wanting to exist as themselves.
3- Transwomen are whiny liars who are misguided..Drug abusers..Alcoholics who don't know themselves and should be forced to live as their biological genders as hormones and surgeries can't 'really' change your gender.

Huh?
There's not one practical argument against gender reassignment in this book..Not one..All I read was opinion of a Jesus freak who regretted what he/she did..Fine..That's their opinion..But people like this are not qualified to speak for me..I'll tell you what?One surgery castration I got and female hormones are the best things that happened to me and now I'm finding personal heaven in my progress to womanhood...If you have intense gender dysphoria like I do..Have no doubt.. Hormones will take away your pain and resolve 90% of your psychological issues :-)