The Trans Case Against Queer Theory

In recent years, the influence of queer theory and adjacent ideas rooted in postmodernism and critical theory has distorted the discussion around trans issues. This has led to confusion about why trans people transition, and the decentering of the actual experience of trans lives in the public trans discourse. In turn, these developments have likely contributed to a slow down in trans acceptance and even backlash in some segments of society. Queer theory sees both gender and sexuality as entirely socially constructed, and to be deconstructed. As such, queer theory resists having stable definitions and identities for everything. The problem with this approach is that it practically denies the ability of people to have a stable identity with a stable meaning at all. Right now, what trans people need most is for the rest of the world to understand us better. An ideology that basically says trans people are not understandable is certainly not what we need right now. I believe that those of us who believe in using free speech to advance trans understanding and acceptance should instead work to encourage a trans discourse that is rooted in objectively observable facts. This book is written from a broadly liberal, and at times specifically Moral Libertarian point of view. As a Moral Libertarian, I value free speech, I believe in sharing a reality with other people rooted in the objective truth, and that judgement of right and wrong is possible by observing objective facts and outcomes. This worldview is at the root of my advocacy for a return to a fact-based trans discourse, and my opposition to postmodernism more generally. However, the argument made here is also about what is best for trans people, as well as what is good for society in general. Hence, one does not necessarily need to be a Moral Libertarian, or otherwise agree with my politics, to agree with the arguments presented here.