Reading Janice G. Raymond’s Work on Transsexualism and Transgenderism

A series of book discussions featuring Raymond’s work

Jan 22, 2026

In a previous Substack post, I mentioned that I would like to start the year with a new series of book discussions. Ever true to my word, I have written up a kind of syllabus for sessions discussing Janice G. Raymond’s books Transsexual Empire and Doublethink. My plan will be to discuss what the feminist critique was in 1979, how it concerned the gender industry before the 1990s, and the developing analysis from the late 1970s into the 2020s. Each session will highlight significant ideas and key quotes from specific chapters of The Transsexual Empire and Doublethink. My reason for this focus is that Raymond’s work does not get referenced enough—despite the fact that she, a radical feminist, pioneered the critique of transsexualism and transgenderism.

I have divided Raymond’s two books across nine sessions, which gives about an hour’s discussion for ideas and key quotes from relevant chapters, even permitting some overlapping discussion from session to session.

Of the nine sessions listed, five will be public in the form of X spaces, with some prepared notes and discussion to follow, and four will be available in the form of Zoom book discussions for paid subscribers.

My general notes will be available for all sessions, not locked behind a paywall, but the incentive for the paid subscribers will be more interactive discussion than possible via X spaces.

I am not very hopeful about X because I have noticed the algorithm has become gradually more isolating toward writers who are not producing some kind of pornography, but the spaces will be there anyway for listening.

Since Wednesday is my only day off work from the laundromat and the minimart, the first X space will be this upcoming Wednesday, January 28, planned for late in the evening in Central Standard Time (CST), likely around 9:00 PM CST.

Texts

Janice G. Raymond, The Transsexual Empire: The Making of the She-Male (New York: Teachers College Press, 1979/1994).

See Raymond’s website to download and read this book for free.

Janice G. Raymond, Doublethink: A Feminist Challenge to Transgenderism (Mission Beach, Australia: Spinifex Press, 2021).

See the Spinifex Press website to purchase a copy of Raymond’s most recent book.

Sessions

Session I (Public—X Space)

TE, “Introduction to the 1994 Edition” (pp. xi-xxxv)

TE, “Introduction. Some Comments on Method (for the Methodical)” (pp. 1-18)

D, “Introduction. From Transsexualism to Transgenderism” (pp. 1-20)

Session II (Paid Subscribers)

TE, “Chapter I. ‘Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Transsexualism’” (pp. 19-42)

D, “Chapter II. The Rapid Rollout of Transgenderism: How Did It Happen?” (pp. 55-86)

Session III (Public—X Space)

TE, “Chapter II. Are Transsexuals Born or Made—or Both?” (pp. 43-68)

D, “Chapter I. The New Trans Biologism: Female Brains and Female Penises” (pp. 21-54)

Session IV (Paid Subscribers)

TE, “Chapter III. ‘Mother’s Feminized Phallus’ or Father’s Castrated Femme?” (pp. 69-98)

D, “Chapter III. Self-Declared Men, Transitioning and De-Transitioning” (pp. 87-121)

Session V (Public—X Space)

TE, “Chapter IV. Sappho by Surgery: The Transsexually Constructed Lesbian Feminist” (pp. 99-119)

D, “Chapter IV. The Trans Culture of Violence Against Women” (pp. 123-154)

Session VI (Paid Subscribers)

D, “Chapter V. Gender Identity Trumps Sex in Women’s Sports and Children’s Education” (pp. 155-181)

Session VII (Public—X Space)

TE, “Chapter V. Therapy as a Way of Life: Medical Values versus Social Change” (pp. 120-153)

TE, “Chapter VI. Toward the Development of an Ethic of Integrity” (pp. 154-177)

Session VIII (Paid Subscribers)

D, “Chapter VI. The Trans Gag Rules: Erasing Women, Pronoun Tyranny, and Censoring Critics” (pp. 183-221)

Session IX (Public—X Space)

TE, “Appendix. Suggestions for Change” (pp. 178-185)

D, “Conclusion” (pp. 223-233)

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