The notion of ‘changing sex’ (aka ‘transgenderism’) is being promoted to children and young people as if being a woman were a choice; as if having a so-called ‘sex change’ were as simple as changing jobs. We OBJECT.
This poster was sent in to us by a woman in Wales, who was concerned by the message it promotes to young people:
A poster seen in Wales, sent to us by a woman who felt concerned about the message this gives to young people. It advertises the idea of having a ‘sex change’ as if it were like switching jobs.
The text reads: “Have you ever felt trapped? In a job, a social circle, a club or a class where something doesn’t feel right and you feel like you should be someone else, somewhere else. Do you sit there and put up with it forever? Or make a change.”
The poster then displays an image of a young woman who presumably labels herself ‘transgender’ and may take part in harmful ‘transgender’ practices such as breast binding, surgery (e.g. breast removal) and hormone self-administration. In the text below she is referred to as ‘he’.
The poster advertises ‘transgenderism’ as if people could literally ‘change sex’ in the same way they might choose a different career path, join a new club or make new friends.
Women Trapped in the Subordinate Sex Class: Not a Choice
The use of the word “class” in this poster is ironic. Women are in fact trapped in the subordinate sex class under patriarchy – this cannot be changed by mutilating one’s own body in a misguided attempt to gain some of the status of a male.
‘Gender’ is a social construct – it refers to the socially prescribed behaviours of ‘femininity’ (for females) and ‘masculinity’ (for males). The system of ‘gender’ upholds the hierarchy in which men are the superior sex class and women are the subordinate sex class.
Women feel trapped by the system of ‘gender’ and the restrictions placed on their behaviour by patriarchal society. This poster preys on young women’s feelings of frustration and presents ‘changing sex’ as a solution for escaping feelings of oppression, inferiority and body-hatred – feelings which in fact stem from outer society rather than from within.
‘Transgenderism’: Fixing ‘Defective’ Women, Not Society
According to ‘transgender’ ideology, ‘gender’ is not a system of oppression within society, but rather an internal feeling, based on which ‘gender’ stereotype you feel best matches your personality and which sex you would rather be. It stands to reason that if sex is advertised as a choice, more people are going to opt to gain the privileges of the higher status group: men (higher salary, better job prospects, not viewed as sex objects, treated as humans, etc.). This is shown by the rapidly increasing numbers of girls being referred to the Tavistock clinic for ‘gender reassignment‘ – the advertisements have been effective.
‘Transgender’ ideology suggests that being unhappy (‘dysphoria’) about being treated as a second class citizen is actually a personal defect – a woman who doesn’t like being oppressed is a ‘defective’ woman – she is really a man ‘born in the wrong body’. The poster in Wales states that it was produced with the help of a campaign called “Fixers” – clearly, it considers that women who fail to conform to ‘gender’ (sex roles) are in need of ‘fixing’.
The practice of ‘transgenderism’ serves to sterilise and mutilate women who are particularly aware of and/or distressed by women’s poor treatment in society. The ‘transgender solution’ is advertised to young women so that they are ‘neutralised’ at an early age before realising their distress is actually due to women’s oppression rather than their own personal ‘defect’.
Feminism: Society is Defective, Not Women
The alternative for a young woman who feels distressed by women’s oppression would be to become a feminist and campaign for women’s liberation. However, unfortunately the proponents of ‘transgenderism’ claim to be ‘feminists’ themselves and also express great hostility towards feminists who make any attempt at analysing ‘transgenderism’.
Feminist analysis of the harms of ‘transgenderism’ is being silenced, for example through the ‘no-platforming’ of academics at universities. This means that the only voice heard by teenage girls is loud and unquestioned, adamant that girls’ ‘gender dysphoria’ is due to their own personal ‘defect’ rather than unhappiness with the system of ‘gender’ itself.
‘Transgender’ proponents advocate for the ‘choice’ of people (including children) to mutilate themselves in order to conform to ‘gender’ / sex roles / stereotypes. We OBJECT to this. We support the abolition of ‘gender’; this would in turn eradicate ‘gender dysphoria’.
Conclusion
In reality, biological sex is not a choice. It is simply not possible for humans to change sex. Women cannot ‘opt out’ of their oppression as a sex class. Engaging in self harm should not be considered a good and valid ‘choice’. Having a ‘sex change’ is not like getting a new job. ‘Transgenderism’ is not a choice; not a job. It shouldn’t be promoted to children and teenagers in this manner. We OBJECT.
Recommended Books:
Brunskell-Evans, Heather. & Moore, Michele. Eds. (2018) Transgender Children and Young People: Born in Your Own Body. [Click here to read chapter excerpts on TransgenderTrend.com]
Jeffreys, Sheila. (2014) Gender Hurts: A Feminist Analysis of the Politics of Transgenderism.
Recommended Websites:
TransgenderTrend – a website for those concerned by the promotion of ‘transgender’ ideology; the implementation of new legislation based on ‘gender’ rather than biological sex; the teaching of ‘gender identity’ politics in schools; and, in particular, the impact of ‘transgenderism’ on children and young people.
Written by Hannah Harrison