Transgender resistance : socialism and the fight for trans liberation

Trans rights and trans lives have come under increasingly vicious ideological attack in recent times, from the "bathroom wars" and Donald Trump's anti-trans edicts in the United States, to attacks on proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act in Britain. Laura Miles' new book brings together key strands in the resistance to these attacks - on the streets, in communities, in workplaces and in unions. It addresses the roots of transphobia and the history of gender transgressive behaviours. It highlights trans people's fight for the freedom to live authentic lives and explains why that fight deserves unconditional solidarity in all sections of the left. __Transgender Resistance__ shows how Marxism offers a comprehensive and coherent explanation of the material roots of transphobia; an explanation that locates the fight for transgender liberation firmly within the struggle for socialist transformation. Endorsements for __Transgender Resistanc____e__: "I am proud to recommend this vibrant, fascinating book which calmly offers incisive and powerful political inspiration for everyone who wants to support the struggle for transgender rights, respect and liberation. Absolutely essential reading for the left, the LGBTQ+ movement and beyond" - Nicola Field, author of __Over the Rainbow__ and member of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners Trans rights and trans lives have come under increasingly vicious ideological attack in recent times, from the "bathroom wars" and Donald Trump's anti-trans edicts in the United States, to attacks on proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act in Britain. Laura Miles' new book brings together key strands in the resistance to these attacks - on the streets, in communities, in workplaces and in unions. It addresses the roots of transphobia and the history of gender transgressive behaviours. It highlights trans people's fight for the freedom to live authentic lives and explains why that fight deserves unconditional solidarity in all sections of the left. Transgender Resistance shows how Marxism offers a comprehensive and coherent explanation of the material roots of transphobia; an explanation that locates the fight for transgender liberation firmly within the struggle for socialist transformation. Endorsements for Transgender Resistanc e : "I am proud to recommend this vibrant, fascinating book which calmly offers incisive and powerful political inspiration for everyone who wants to support the struggle for transgender rights, respect and liberation. Absolutely essential reading for the left, the LGBTQ+ movement and beyond" - Nicola Field, author of Over the Rainbow and member of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners Title 3 Copyright 4 Contents 5 Acknowledgements 6 Preface 7 Introduction: LGBT+ politics today 9 1: Trans visibility and backlash 14 2: Has oppression always existed? 24 3: Biology, gender and gender identity 38 4: A brief history of trans 65 5: From post-war repression to Stonewall 87 6: Trans voices around the world 113 7: Trump, trans rights and the bathroom wars 146 8: Trans rights and transphobia in Britain 165 9: Contested rights in Britain today 186 10: Political strategies in the movement 209 11: Eyes on the prize 229 Appendix 1: Glossary of terms 240 Appendix 2: Useful organisations 244 Notes 247 Index 278