I appreciated Anderson’s irenic tone. These are not the rantings of a hate-filled extremist, but an invitation to carefully consider the problems of today’s transgender ideology. He treats those whom he interacts with charitably, respectfully, and politely. The author stands as an exemplar in how critics are to handle contemporary controversies. Hopefully, this will lead to fruitful conversations and productive discussions. While the author does not present his case in theological categories or with a biblical worldview, as a Christian reader I see Anderson’s work consistent with God’s Word because of his reliance upon natural law. 

Ryan T. Anderson has written an important and timely book for this cultural hour. When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment is must-reading for all who care about what has taken place regarding sexuality and gender identity in our society. As Anderson rightly points out: “The best biology, psychology, and philosophy all support an understanding of sex as a bodily reality, and of gender as a social manifestation of bodily sex. Biology isn’t bigotry” (2). He continues by writing: “This book is an effort to provide a nuanced view of our sexed embodiment, a balanced approach to policy issues involving transgender identity and gender more broadly, and a sober and honest survey of the human costs of getting human nature wrong” (3). It admirably succeeds in this goal.

Anderson begins by explaining how we came to the transgender moment in recent years culturally, legally, and medically. Then he considers what the transgender activists themselves argue for as they advance their ideology to be accepted and approved of in our society. Next, the author shares the stories of those who have transitioned and why many of them have since come to regret their decision. This is followed by exploring what sex and gender actually mean: are these concepts objectively rooted in our biology or are they subjectively the product of our socialization and our psychological understanding? Anderson continues by considering what are the likely explanations and causes of discordant gender identities and gender dysphoria among transgender men and women. Then he specifically focuses on children and how they are treated when they struggle with their gender identity. After this, the author looks at what has led to our gender confusion in society, with certain forms of feminism and gender theory developing into a denial of any real differences between men and women. Next, he turns to addressing how transgenderism has transformed the law and public policy by looking at restroom access, preferred pronoun speech, and health-care mandates. Finally, Anderson concludes by laying out a plan of action for us to correct the challenges which transgenderism presents to us.

I found Anderson’s treatment highly informative and thoroughly substantiated. He has definitely done his research, which can easily be confirmed by the endnotes of this book (although this also brings out my pet peeve as a reader: endnotes rather than footnotes!). I often found myself turning back to the endnotes to see the author’s sources, which provide me with additional resources to continue studying these issues. By the time I reached the end of this book, I feel like I have a much better grasp on transgenderism and how to critically engage this cultural movement.

Furthermore, I appreciated Anderson’s irenic tone. These are not the rantings of a hate-filled extremist, but an invitation to carefully consider the problems of today’s transgender ideology. He treats those whom he interacts with charitably, respectfully, and politely. The author stands as an exemplar in how critics are to handle contemporary controversies. Hopefully, this will lead to fruitful conversations and productive discussions.

While the author does not present his case in theological categories or with a biblical worldview, as a Christian reader I see Anderson’s work consistent with God’s Word because of his reliance upon natural law. So I would like to see fellow Christians continue building on this foundation, but I also recognize the benefit of broadly appealing to common notions and accepted authorities. The church will need to faithfully respond to the transgender moment, and I am thankful for Anderson’s assistance in helping us do so wisely and lovingly.

As a result, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all those wondering about transgenderism. Amazon may have banned it from their stores, but it’s message and arguments need to continue spreading throughout our nation. My prayer is that those struggling with gender dysphoria and transgenderism will receive the help that they need to flourish in this world and will find their identity in Christ by believing in Him as their Savior.

To end, let me list a number of quotes on various subjects which I found helpful:

Transgenderism Contradictions: “Activists tend to be uncompromising in their demands, yet their worldview is fraught with contradictions. It holds that the real self is fundamentally separate from the material body, yet insists that transforming the body is crucial for personal wholeness. It attaches a notion of authentic gender identity to stereotypical activities and dispositions, yet it grows from a philosophy holding that gender is an artificial construct. It promotes a radical subjectivity in which individuals should be free to do whatever they wish and to define the truth as they choose, yet it calls for enforced conformity of belief in transgender dogma” (3-4).

Child Gender Dysphoria: “This is all because the question of how best to treat gender dysphoria in children has become a focus of political warfare-between those who understand it as similar to other dysphorias, and those who insist that it should be accepted at face value as evidence of a fixed transgender identity, as who the child really is” (23).

Transgender Activists’ Assumption: “a transgender boy is a boy, and thus should be treated like all other boys; a transgender girl is a girl, and thus should be treated like all other girls. This statement conveys a radical idea, and it reflects a shift of thinking among activists in recent years. No longer do they admit that a transgender boy is a biological girl who identifies boy, or that a transgender girl is a biological boy who identifies as a girl. Now they assert that people actually are the sex they claim to be….

This is a dramatic shift: from an emphasis on transgender identity being at odds with physical sex, to the idea of gender identity being essentially the determinant of sex; from acknowledging gender dysphoria as a mental disorder, to regarding transgender identities as just a variety of normal human development. These radical beliefs give rise to some equally radical demands” (28).

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