Born in the Right Body: Gender Identity Ideology From a Medical and Feminist Perspective

by Isidora Sanger

For over a century, feminists have campaigned for women's sex-based rights, despite the violent backlash from men. They recognised that women's health and well-being, participation in public life and their ability to escape abuse were the most urgent human rights issues affecting the female sex. The backlash from men was carried out in the physical – by using oppression and violence – but it was justified with metaphysical theories about women's brains, a feminine psyche and the innate nature of gender stereotypes. Obscure scientific methods of dubious significance, like phrenology, kept being devised to try and substantiate this empirically.

Needless to say, such methods have been abandoned as quackery, and we now know that none of the assumptions about women on which male supremacy was based were correct. Despite this, the tendency toward justifying discrimination against women and girls has not disappeared with technological advancements in the 21st century. Now, instead of phrenology and fanciful ideas about "wandering wombs", we have brain scans being used to allegedly prove that feminine males and masculine females were "born in the wrong body" and that their psychological distress can be cured by medical and surgical procedures designed to make them resemble the opposite sex.

This collection of essays is my testament to the feminists who have campaigned so painfully and courageously, and for so long, and those that continue to fight to this day - and beyond.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Gender, Womens

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2022

Reviews

[Matt Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and meticulously researched collection of essays exploring the phenomenon of gender identity ideology. The complex issues and medical scandal around trans identifying adults and the vulnerable children being harmed by this are explained in an accessible and compassionate way. There are extensive references and the Kindle version has working links to the science and evidence that support the arguments made. A must read for anyone concerned or confused by men calling themselves women and insisting on being called Miss or she/her. Amazing.

[Tanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the transgender identity movement, or more accurately cult, from an evidence-based perspective. A lot of things most of us already knew, but also some shocking revelations on just how little research has been conducted into this area. It is very scary indeed to think how transrights activism has permeated to the highest levels of law and medicine despite a dearth of literature on how (if at all) "affirming" care is in the best interests of patients.

Fantastic exploration of the tactics used by transactivists to suppress and silence those who question the logic of replacing sex-based rights with gender-based rights.

Cons: Got a little repetitive in places.

The chapter on asexuality left a lot to be desired.

Certainly asexuality, like transgenderism, depends on the person's behaviours, feelings and statements about themselves rather than any clear-cut, objective criteria. So maybe it is not innate, and is, as Sanger argues, a grab-bag of any number of possible medical conditions. No doubt there is some truth in Sanger's assertions that, for example, asexuality is a "creative" way for some women to safeguard themselves physically and emotionally from the pitfalls of reproduction with men. But whilst the definition has dwindled into incoherence over the years in an effort to accommodate every Tom, Dick and Harriet, many women (and men) do experience a genuine lifelong lack of sexual attraction. I am not suggesting asexuality should be mindlessly lauded or that potential medical causes should not be ruled out, only that sexual desire is alive and well and humans are breeding like rabbits. When all's said and done asexuality, in practice, is in a different ballpark from transgenderism. The harms of the asexual movement pale in comparison to the influence of trans/gender ideology infringing on women's sex-based rights.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and well-written collection of essays about the truth of the transgender ideologically possessed movement and its dangers. A must read for parents, medical professionals, politicians and anyone interested in this topic.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of evidence-based (and with extensive bibliographies) essays regarding the utter nonsense that is transgender ideology. Very disturbing on the subject of institutional capture in the medical sector. Women are being vilified, patients subject to irreversible and life-changing surgeries despite evidence that these do nothing to improve mental well-being.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

well-researched and evidence-based book outlining simple logical arguments about the lies that permeate gender ideology. there are many reasons sex should remain important to document and should not be conflated with the socially constructed idea of gender roles and identity.

[Kizzydot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of issues relating to gender Clearly written

[Amy Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very informative and accessible book on the issue of transgenderism and gender identity. It had a lot of information and evidence on the issue as a whole and about gender dysphoria as a medical condition, not just about the effect it has on women's rights.
I appreciate the author providing an important counter-argument to 'affirmation only' approaches to treating gender dysphoria, regardless of the many physical and social issues this causes for those who are diagnosed, and for the rest of society, written in a factual, non-hateful way.