Great article, Michael. Our profession does face numerous "wicked problems," and this one is one of the most "wicked." The general lack of clarity about "gender" and "gender identity" has been a besetting problem for many in thinking clearly, and discussing in a better way, some of these challenging issues in our field, for a number of years--especially in the last decade. Thanks again for clarifying much here, and I look forward to reading Part Two.
Excellent summary of the problem in crystal-clear language. I too am saying more or less the same in my (as yet unpublished) "American Insanity." Btw, Alex Byrne, quoted in this article, gave me a stellar endorsement. Still, can't find a publisher.
The aspect of Gnosticism is important; arguably gender ideology is a religion. The so-called inclusivity of gender ideology is deeply exclusive and intolerant, as it maligns those with different religious beliefs as bigots, rather than respecting the right to freedom of religion.
As a Christian I believe that Gnostic beliefs are false and harmful. This does not make me a bigot; people who base their identity in gender ideology are also children of God and deserve love and compassion.
When librarians choose to promote the new gender ideology in their libraries by growing that part of the collection (and not purchasing gender critical titles, or works representing other religions) and continually featuring those titles (and not others), they are increasingly alienating other parts of their communities. It comes off as very preachy and moralizing.
I notice the same problem with the children's history collection at my library. E.g., there are only a couple of books on Christopher Columbus and they are all very recent texts that take a critical stance. The collection ceases to be well-rounded.
There's a further twist to the Columbus and libraries story. Columbus Day in the US originates in the lynching of a bunch of Italians. It caused an international situation with Italy, and gradually the holiday ensued. There are no books for children about this at all; my evidence is the 1/2 hour efforts of a reference librarian. The reason is that while now it is possible to have books for children that describe some parts of United States history in a critical way, this change has occurred when sympathy for Italians, because they are labeled "white", is not ideologically fashionable.
As a librarian, I appreciate the framing of this topic as a “wicked problem,” but I’d like to offer a different view rooted in our core values of intellectual freedom, access, and trust in readers of all ages.
Children’s books that explore gender identity aren’t mandates—they’re mirrors for some, windows for others, and opportunities for empathy and understanding. No single worldview owns the right to define childhood development, identity, or belonging. Libraries curate diverse materials so that all patrons—not just the majority—can see themselves and explore big questions.
To suggest that these books impose metaphysical dogma ignores decades of scholarship and the lived experiences of trans people. There is, in fact, a growing body of affirming scientific literature across developmental psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry that supports the understanding of gender identity as a real and meaningful part of human variation.
📚 Suggested Reading for Deeper Understanding:
Psychology & Child Development:
American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People.
Ehrensaft, D. (2016). The Gender Creative Child: Pathways for Nurturing and Supporting Children Who Live Outside Gender Boxes.
Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3).
Guillamon, A., Junque, C., & Gómez-Gil, E. (2016). A Review of the Status of Brain Structure Research in Transsexualism. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(7), 1615–1648.
Mueller, S. C., De Cuypere, G., & T'Sjoen, G. (2017). Transgender research in the 21st century: A selective critical review from a neurocognitive perspective. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(12), 1155–1162.
Medical & Clinical Guidance:
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). (2022). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8.
Libraries don’t prescribe beliefs—we provide access. And yes, we support parents in making reading choices for their families. But that cannot come at the cost of restricting access for others, especially those who have long been underrepresented.
There is considerable bias, i.e., lack of diversity in public library collections, a problem that has been discussed multiple times on this site, and in this very article. I'll link to my own separate article, but there are several other excellent ones: https://hxlibraries.substack.com/p/unconscious-bias-or-deliberate-censorship .
Thank you for your comment and for all of these resources. I will be dealing with some of the medical and psychological research in part two. But I will say in advance that the WPATH Standards of Care have been thoroughly discredited by Mia Hughes in the WPATH Files Report from Environmental Progress (https://environmentalprogress.org/big-news/wpath-files) for being based primarily on ideologically- and politically-motivated groupthink and circular citations, rather than actual evidence-based science. As for librarianship's commitment to offering diverse sources: there is a marked disparity in the collection of gender ideology-affirming titles for kids as opposed to body-positive, sex-affirming ones. According to OCLC FirstSearch, "I Am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings shows1,690 copies in libraries worldwide, while "It Feels Good to be Yourself" by Theresa Thorn is in 1,221. By contrast, "My Body is Me" by Rachel Rooney is listed to be in a mere 7, with "He is He" by Bethany Bomberger and Ryan Scott Bomberger showing up in only 22, and "She is She" in 45. I don't believe these stark disparities are owed to any intent to indoctrinate on the part of librarians, but do reflect how the broader culture, the academy and the news media have uncritically treated the issue. But I do think as a profession we should have given the issue a lot closer scrutiny and made more of an effort to also collect these sex-affirming titles in order to (as you say) offer young readers and their families reading choices.
Looking forward to part 2! The creep of polarizing gender activism permeates so much of the profession, from LC subject headings to collection strategies, that I'm not sure it's even possible to address it productively.
Exhaustive article and reasoning, but I’d offer a different perspective:
Sex is real. Gender is a delusion.
There is a biological phenomenon called sex mimicry, where (usually) males imitate females to avoid male competition and to gain access to groups of females for sex.
In humans this takes the form of “trans” where men imitate women to avoid male competition and violence (trans have half the death rate of other men from male violence), as well as have use women’s sympathy to gain access to female institutions and groups (feminism, gyms, lesbians) for unwanted emotional, sexual, and reproductive access.
The mimicry demands to lie in an area of uncertainty and confusion (there’s a clear reason why it has no definition: it is the system of gender which is most often defined as a means of confusing sex). It necessitates keeping confusion maximized to propagate the mimicry.
Sex mimicry demands that all sex is defined in relation to the imitation. There is no sex, it starts with either cis- or trans- and then systemicallykeeps expanding to redefine the wold around itself.
The simplest thing is to grasp that all books on “gender” (note that transsexuals changed to transgender to amplify mimicry confusion) are delusional. They have no place in pedagogy, since they exist to confuse, not illuminate.
I wrote extensively on my thoughts, but not as succinctly as your essays.
Great article, Michael. Our profession does face numerous "wicked problems," and this one is one of the most "wicked." The general lack of clarity about "gender" and "gender identity" has been a besetting problem for many in thinking clearly, and discussing in a better way, some of these challenging issues in our field, for a number of years--especially in the last decade. Thanks again for clarifying much here, and I look forward to reading Part Two.
Thank you so much for this, Michael. I will be sharing it with others, and I look forward to the rest.
Woops -- thanks!
Me too.
I hope this article occasions debate in the profession instead of more genderless peopling of the barricades.
Excellent summary of the problem in crystal-clear language. I too am saying more or less the same in my (as yet unpublished) "American Insanity." Btw, Alex Byrne, quoted in this article, gave me a stellar endorsement. Still, can't find a publisher.
Thank you! I will look forward to learning more about your work. Perhaps there might be a chapter you could offer as a piece for our Substack?
Gladly. Let me think which one. What length would you prefer? 3-4 pages or longer?
Please do let us know if you’d like to share your work in Heterodoxy in the Stacks!
Thank you for the offer. Let me think which chapter.
I just submitted a piece via your online form.
The aspect of Gnosticism is important; arguably gender ideology is a religion. The so-called inclusivity of gender ideology is deeply exclusive and intolerant, as it maligns those with different religious beliefs as bigots, rather than respecting the right to freedom of religion.
As a Christian I believe that Gnostic beliefs are false and harmful. This does not make me a bigot; people who base their identity in gender ideology are also children of God and deserve love and compassion.
When librarians choose to promote the new gender ideology in their libraries by growing that part of the collection (and not purchasing gender critical titles, or works representing other religions) and continually featuring those titles (and not others), they are increasingly alienating other parts of their communities. It comes off as very preachy and moralizing.
I notice the same problem with the children's history collection at my library. E.g., there are only a couple of books on Christopher Columbus and they are all very recent texts that take a critical stance. The collection ceases to be well-rounded.
I address the roles of faith and multiculturalism in another post from last year, "SOGI...or Multiculturalism?" https://hxlibraries.substack.com/p/sogior-multiculturalism
There's a further twist to the Columbus and libraries story. Columbus Day in the US originates in the lynching of a bunch of Italians. It caused an international situation with Italy, and gradually the holiday ensued. There are no books for children about this at all; my evidence is the 1/2 hour efforts of a reference librarian. The reason is that while now it is possible to have books for children that describe some parts of United States history in a critical way, this change has occurred when sympathy for Italians, because they are labeled "white", is not ideologically fashionable.
Helpful reading list to consider.
As a librarian, I appreciate the framing of this topic as a “wicked problem,” but I’d like to offer a different view rooted in our core values of intellectual freedom, access, and trust in readers of all ages.
Children’s books that explore gender identity aren’t mandates—they’re mirrors for some, windows for others, and opportunities for empathy and understanding. No single worldview owns the right to define childhood development, identity, or belonging. Libraries curate diverse materials so that all patrons—not just the majority—can see themselves and explore big questions.
To suggest that these books impose metaphysical dogma ignores decades of scholarship and the lived experiences of trans people. There is, in fact, a growing body of affirming scientific literature across developmental psychology, neuroscience, and psychiatry that supports the understanding of gender identity as a real and meaningful part of human variation.
📚 Suggested Reading for Deeper Understanding:
Psychology & Child Development:
American Psychological Association. (2015). Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People.
Ehrensaft, D. (2016). The Gender Creative Child: Pathways for Nurturing and Supporting Children Who Live Outside Gender Boxes.
Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3).
https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3223
Neuroscience & Identity:
Guillamon, A., Junque, C., & Gómez-Gil, E. (2016). A Review of the Status of Brain Structure Research in Transsexualism. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 45(7), 1615–1648.
Mueller, S. C., De Cuypere, G., & T'Sjoen, G. (2017). Transgender research in the 21st century: A selective critical review from a neurocognitive perspective. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(12), 1155–1162.
Medical & Clinical Guidance:
World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). (2022). Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8.
https://www.wpath.org/publications/soc
Libraries don’t prescribe beliefs—we provide access. And yes, we support parents in making reading choices for their families. But that cannot come at the cost of restricting access for others, especially those who have long been underrepresented.
That’s not ideology.
That’s librarianship.
There is considerable bias, i.e., lack of diversity in public library collections, a problem that has been discussed multiple times on this site, and in this very article. I'll link to my own separate article, but there are several other excellent ones: https://hxlibraries.substack.com/p/unconscious-bias-or-deliberate-censorship .
Thank you for your comment and for all of these resources. I will be dealing with some of the medical and psychological research in part two. But I will say in advance that the WPATH Standards of Care have been thoroughly discredited by Mia Hughes in the WPATH Files Report from Environmental Progress (https://environmentalprogress.org/big-news/wpath-files) for being based primarily on ideologically- and politically-motivated groupthink and circular citations, rather than actual evidence-based science. As for librarianship's commitment to offering diverse sources: there is a marked disparity in the collection of gender ideology-affirming titles for kids as opposed to body-positive, sex-affirming ones. According to OCLC FirstSearch, "I Am Jazz" by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings shows1,690 copies in libraries worldwide, while "It Feels Good to be Yourself" by Theresa Thorn is in 1,221. By contrast, "My Body is Me" by Rachel Rooney is listed to be in a mere 7, with "He is He" by Bethany Bomberger and Ryan Scott Bomberger showing up in only 22, and "She is She" in 45. I don't believe these stark disparities are owed to any intent to indoctrinate on the part of librarians, but do reflect how the broader culture, the academy and the news media have uncritically treated the issue. But I do think as a profession we should have given the issue a lot closer scrutiny and made more of an effort to also collect these sex-affirming titles in order to (as you say) offer young readers and their families reading choices.
I can give the stats on Massachusetts libraries.
My Body is Me: 1
He is He/She is She: 0
I am Jazz: 251
If Feels Good to be Yourself: 302
"stark disparities" indeed!
Excellent essay.
Thank you! Watch for part 2, coming April 10th.
Looking forward to part 2! The creep of polarizing gender activism permeates so much of the profession, from LC subject headings to collection strategies, that I'm not sure it's even possible to address it productively.
What a fantastic part one. Thanks for putting this together, and for discerning these faulty key junctures in this ideology.
Thank you Andrew!
Exhaustive article and reasoning, but I’d offer a different perspective:
Sex is real. Gender is a delusion.
There is a biological phenomenon called sex mimicry, where (usually) males imitate females to avoid male competition and to gain access to groups of females for sex.
In humans this takes the form of “trans” where men imitate women to avoid male competition and violence (trans have half the death rate of other men from male violence), as well as have use women’s sympathy to gain access to female institutions and groups (feminism, gyms, lesbians) for unwanted emotional, sexual, and reproductive access.
The mimicry demands to lie in an area of uncertainty and confusion (there’s a clear reason why it has no definition: it is the system of gender which is most often defined as a means of confusing sex). It necessitates keeping confusion maximized to propagate the mimicry.
Sex mimicry demands that all sex is defined in relation to the imitation. There is no sex, it starts with either cis- or trans- and then systemicallykeeps expanding to redefine the wold around itself.
The simplest thing is to grasp that all books on “gender” (note that transsexuals changed to transgender to amplify mimicry confusion) are delusional. They have no place in pedagogy, since they exist to confuse, not illuminate.
I wrote extensively on my thoughts, but not as succinctly as your essays.
There are a group, the first is
https://open.substack.com/pub/sufeitzy/p/mimesexuality-1-incipendum?r=o79yv&utm_medium=ios
Thank you for the comment and the link to your work, I'll look forward to reading it!