Real Gender - by Danièle Moyal-Sharrock & Constantine Sandis

Book Synopsis

Societies around the world are struggling to think clearly about trans realities and understand trans identities. Real Gender is the first book to present a cis defence of what it means to be transgender.

Moyal-Sharrock and Sandis delve into the various factors which make many trans people's experience of their gender (or lack thereof) as natural and unquestionable as that of cis people. While recognising the undeniably social aspects of gender, they find that gender cannot be completely divorced from our biological underpinnings. Contrary to popular opinion, gender self-identification does not require the denial of either biology or sex. What is needed is a more liberal understanding of our gender concepts, which would prevent us from confusing diversity with pathology.

Steeped in published and personal trans testimonials, Real Gender does not seek to provoke or attack, but to unequivocally defend trans realities. A powerful exploration of a divisive topic, this book will be of interest to a wide audience of readers.

Review Quotes

"In an atmosphere dominated by toxic lies and misunderstandings about transgender people, this wonderful book is a much-needed antidote. It is clear, comprehensive, careful, level-headed, humane, and fair. If you want to cut through the myths and actually understand transgender, this book is essential reading."
Sophie-Grace Chappell, The Open University

"Real Gender is a vigorous defence of trans identities against the rising tide of anti-trans sentiment. Written by two cis-identified philosophers for a largely "cis" audience, it shoulders a burden that many trans people are coming to find too soul-destroying to bear on our own. Although written by two non-trans authors, the book is firmly grounded in trans theory and replete with a diversity of trans voices (thankfully sparing us the frustration of having to repeat ourselves). Moyal-Sharrock and Sandis demonstrate how non-trans philosophers might pursue trans philosophy in a way that is both affirming and useful. Smart and well argued, this is a most welcome contribution to the burgeoning literature."
Talia Mae Bettcher, California State University, Los Angeles

"Real Gender is essential reading for our times. It's a book that takes on the views and news that have made of transgender such a bugbear today. It's also a book about real transgendered people, including, vitally, in their own voices, stories and images. The authors are not trans but - especially at this moment - as they say, solidarity matters."
Jay Prosser, University of Leeds

"Real Gender is a well-written and highly engaging book. Writing about such a contentious topic in a nuanced way is no easy task. Gender identity is not merely an academic question; it is also a struggle for equal rights and living conditions. The stakes go beyond conceptual clarity to practical implications. In this sense, the book raises essential questions about how concepts like 'woman' are defined--whether biologically, socially, or functionally--and what this means for societal organization [...] the book succeeds in shedding light on the complexities of gender identity and its relevance to both individual self-understanding and societal structures.''
Journal of Political Philosophy

About the Author

Danièle Moyal-Sharrock is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire.
Constantine Sandis is Founding Director of Lex Academic and Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire.