How not to have a useful conversation about trans rights

WITHIN the ongoing and toxic "debate" about trans rights, secondary school teacher, trade W unionist and writer Debbie Hayton offers a unique perspective - she is a trans woman with gender-critical views.

- ΕΙ Hunt

Her debut book, Transsexual Apostate, uses memoir as a jumping-off point for her wider theories and opinions about transgender identity. It promises to act as a "compassionate call to move beyond ideological conflicts".

Hayton starts off by sharing her own personal experiences, writing about the sense of shame she felt as a young child who wished to be "magically turned into a girl" and her relief at starting a relationship with now-wife Stephanie.

Later, Hayton discovered the possibility of transition and began accessing services at the Gender Identity Clinic. Her experiences post-transition seem to be mostly positive.

People have been broadly accepting and supportive, which is exactly how it should be. But since transitioning in 2012, Hayton's views have shifted.