The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice by Shon Faye - Starting October 12th 2021

[Dannii]

Trans people in Britain today have become a culture war 'issue'. Despite making up less than 1% of the country's population, they are the subjects of a toxic and increasingly polarised 'debate', which generates reliable controversy for newspapers and talk shows. This media frenzy conceals a simple fact: that we are having the wrong conversation, a conversation in which trans people themselves are reduced to a talking point and denied a meaningful voice.

In this powerful new book, Shon Faye reclaims the idea of the 'transgender issue' to uncover the reality of what it means to be trans in a transphobic society. In doing so, she provides a compelling, wide-ranging analysis of trans lives from youth to old age, exploring work, family, housing, healthcare, the prison system, and trans participation in the LGBTQ+ and feminist communities, in contemporary Britain and beyond.

The Transgender Issue is a landmark work that signals the beginning of a new, healthier conversation about trans life. It is a manifesto for change, and a call for justice and solidarity between all marginalised people and minorities. Trans liberation, as Faye sees it, goes to the root of what our society is and what it could be; it offers the possibility of a more just, free and joyful world for all of us.

[Aaron]

Hoping to start this tonight but it might be tomorrow

[Dannii]

Aaron wrote: "Hoping to start this tonight but it might be tomorrow"

Same :)

[Aaron]

End of chapter 1
This is giving me a slightly different perspective on the issues faced by trans people. I’ve always looked at all of these issues as just something me and the other trans people around me have to deal with. I knew it was unfair but it’s just how it is. When this book is listing every issue one after the other, it becomes clear that something needs to change. The author has done a really good job on drawing attention to the problems.

[Dannii]

Aaron wrote: "End of chapter 1
This is giving me a slightly different perspective on the issues faced by trans people. I’ve always looked at all of these issues as just something me and the other trans people ar..."

I totally agree. It is horrific to read about the prejudice and suffering the trans community face. This seems like a shared story, which is harrowing to consider.

[Dannii]

Chapter Two - (view spoiler)[Trans oppression, in regards to the healthcare individuals recieve (or, in reality, fail to recieve) is so harrowing to read about. I already feel more better informed than when I started this book, but also further saddened by the lack of information and aid available in society. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Three - (view spoiler)[Reading this chapter makes it apparent that society will do anything it can to shit on those different in any way. The conversations concerning class and gender are very intriguing. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Four - (view spoiler)[ I never knew that sex work was the statistically highest common way for trans individuals to earn a wage, which, if anything in this book, is an insight to how truly fucked our society, and the view on the trans community, is. The focus on trans bodies by many cis individuals is both astonishing and utterly predictable. A human is so much more than the body they are housed in. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Five - (view spoiler)[These chapters are proving increasingly hard to read and yet this one came as little surprise, with the wide reportage of suppression and discrimination of all minorities. That it still continues makes me genuinely sick to my stomach but has also made me wonder why I do so little to combat it. I feel, as a white and cis individual, that it's people like me who remain in power and who get so many privileges handed to them throughout life. Honestly, taking a long, hard look at myself, at the moment, as I feel I've not been the ally I always thought I was. My voice could definitely be raised louder to join the fight against all the topics so far raised. I don't mean to take the focus away from the book and onto myself, these were just some of my thoughts. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Six - (view spoiler)[I'm very interested by the conversations that include the entire LGBT+ spectrum. Their fights remain largely the same and so divisions between them, often created by an outside source, is infuriating to read. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Seven - (view spoiler)[I consider myself a feminist, as I believe every individual should be. For me, the term means equality for ALL and it is baffling to me that individuals could consider the trans community to be outside the parameters for this. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Dannii wrote: "Chapter Two - [spoilers removed]

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Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ it’s quite cool how a book like this has so much power in making people reflect upon themselves. I think so many of these issues could be made a little better by getting people to read this. Imagine if this was required reading at school. The hate crimes caused by teenagers would probably drop quite dramatically. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[ I do agree that a lot needs to change within the police. I could never understand the experience of a person of colour related to the police so I couldn’t comment on how messed up the system is butI do think an overhaul of the police system is possible. It’d have to start with the government and laws being changed first but the training police officers are getting seems like a positive first step to me. I don’t think our society would function well without any police presence but the focus should definitely be shifted onto helping people in difficult situations and educating people. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

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Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ I don’t get why people care about other stranger’s bodies so much. It’s odd how people fetishise trans people. It always seems to be transphobic people as well. I can see why sex work would be so dangerous. There do need to be some better systems in place. I can’t get over the fact that this all comes down to the government though which is full of old fashioned, rich, white guys. It feels like we’re completely powerless to create change. I guess that just means we have to fight harder to make it possible. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Aaron wrote: "Chapter 5
[spoilers removed]"

I totally agree with all you wrote but I do feel that the police need to be defunded and something new crafted in its place. More education and training needs to be available, if not, and there also needs to be a better process for spotting those who wear their uniform as a power move instead of to protect and serve the communities they belong to, including ALL its members.

[Aaron]

Dannii wrote: "Aaron wrote: "Chapter 5
[spoilers removed]"

I totally agree with all you wrote but I do feel that the police need to be defunded and something new crafted in its place. More education and training..."

I agree with the making sure they’re serving for the right reason. I think a key feature of that would be checking regularly. I believe a lot of police officers start out wanting to protect people but over time, they forget why they started and the power gets to their heads. You’d need to include removing officers who’s motives have changed as part of that process.

[Aaron]

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Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[ It’s mad that there are so many definitions of feminism out there causing people to have such different views. I can see where the confusion with trans people comes from when your going with a very specific definition like “equality for women” but that seems to ignore issues like making sure men have the same rights as women in regards to child care as well as the existence of trans people. “Equality for all” makes the most sense and means you can’t rule out anyone but that seems like quite a modern view on feminism based on how far the movement has come since it started. It’ll be interesting to see what definition is pushed forward in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Done
(view spoiler)[ I think this book was written really well. I liked the progression from these are lots of the issues trans people face to we need to de better to this is how everything could be better and it’s entirely possible. The build up of hope made the ending quite impactful. (hide spoiler)]