'Detrans' by Dr Az Hakeem - Book Discussion Thread

[UtopiaPlanitia]

I bought the book, and am starting to read my way through it, and I thought that other readers of the book might find a discussion thread useful.

The one thing that has struck me so far, even in the introduction, is that Dr Hakeem is using plain, easily-understandable language and he’s eschewing queer theory terminology. I was worried I might find this book too technical or even esoteric but so far I’m having no difficulty in making sense of the things he’s describing and explaining.

Looking forward to hearing the opinions and thoughts of other readers.

I chanced upon a discussion on YouTube today between him and Benjamin Boyce.

Dr Hakim was at pains to point out that this book is, as OP says, written for the lay reader and will enable us to demolish any arguments raised by the other side.

It was really interesting to hear in the interview about the many types of sexualities out there, including fetishism (iirc the way he describes it they are sexualities). It sounds like a good dose of sound theory which is always good to have at your fingertips.

Must buy the book.

Bumping, the book looks great!
Only from Amazon I seem to remember.

It would seem so; I bought the kindle version for around £5. I wasn’t able to find an ebook version on Apple Books or Kobo Bookstore.

I thought that discussion was fascinating too; it gave me the impetus to buy the book and I’m very glad I have.

I’m on chapter 4 and so far Dr Az has described concepts, behaviours and beliefs in ways that are easily understood by the layperson. There’s even a nice wee touch of his personality coming through from time to time which serves to lighten the mood somewhat when reading some very serious information.

I've not read the case studies bit yet but the earlier sections are all easy reading and to the point.

If I'm honest there's not a lot in it for me as someone who knows a lot of this upside down and back to front though there are a few bits about the sheer degree to which autism is a comorbid factor and asexuality/lack of understanding of sexuality amongst the autistic population which was dead interesting.

It breaks things down well.

For me, I've bought the book with it in mind that if the opportunity arises to lend it to some of my friends who are just starting to grasp what the whole issue really means including one whose son has just declared he's trans (she's not worked out how he will push away and just how radicalised he is yet - I think it might all go boom at Christmas tbh as I think the Dad thinks it's abject bullshit).

It's worth a read but if you are heavily engaged on the subject on MN be prepared for it to be repeating stuff you largely know.

There an article on him in Spiked

https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/12/15/transgenderism-has-become-a-youth-subculture/

That’s a great article, thanks for posting the link 👍

I'm also reading it in the hope of it being one I can give to others who need to know more, particularly around the incidence of adult (over 30) males declaring trans identities. It is totally understandable that our natural reaction to these not so sympathetic people is often disgust and anger, and many have brought this on themselves more than can be said for the younger transitioners. But I believe they also need proper help and talking therapies. Breaking down the adult male trans ideology will be the last brick in the wall. Dr Az seems unafraid to call a spade a spade and I am looking forward to hearing more from him.

I like the fact that the book (like Helen Joyce’s book) gathers all the vital information in one place and doesn’t flinch from detailing the unvarnished facts.

I think I would be keen to give or recommend it to other people too because it’s written in a very accessible manner.

I'm onto the chapter written by the mother of a trans identifying sixth former (now uni student) and the dereliction from duty by the school is extraordinary. And it is a private school! Who the f* do these teachers think they are?!

The detrans stories are also powerful and I recognised the stories of Sinead and Ritchie, both of whom have spoken up so bravely about their experiences.

I am still inclined to buy this for well-meaning but ill-informed relations. The earlier chapters certainly cover a lot which most of us on this board will be familiar with, at breakneck speed, so I wonder if a layperson could follow it all without a bit more closer examining of studies and stats (to the extent they exist).

Now finished. Despite typos and some need of proof-reading, Dr Az's background and stories of his experiences with his former patients, and the personal stories, really hit home. A separate chapter on the health risks (such as we know them) or flagging the gaps in information/exposing the TRA slogans as factually incorrect would have finished this off perfectly but I will be getting it for at least one relative, maybe two.

I got distracted by re-reading Helen Joyce’s book so I’m still only at chapter 5 in Dr Az’s book. I’ve really enjoyed your update posts though, thank you for those 😊

From what I’ve read, I agree with you about typos and proof-reading but I believe he wasn’t able to get a publisher to take on this book like he was with the previous one. He said, in an interview, that with his first book he wasn’t able to be as straightforward as he felt would be necessary because the charity publishing the book were unwilling to allow it.

I for one am glad that he just decided to take on the task of getting the information out there by himself. I hope it does well enough that maybe a publisher will pick it up but even if that doesn’t happen, I’m still grateful the book exists and is written on his terms with lots of useful information.

@UtopiaPlanitia I didn't know about the publisher issue but that makes total sense and I agree having a book where he has free rein is preferable. I wonder if any editors would help pro bono in situations like this? I know I would happily give a few hours to proof-read for anyone in this position, and the volume now of incredibly distressing but important detransitioner stories over twitter, substack etc would easily fill another book.

Just wanted to say thanks for the recommendation / read this weekend. My daughter has moved into halls with what I thought were a group of girls but are all apparently boys. Any questions around this are apparently discriminatory or make me a terf so looking to build some views. This really helped!

I just watched "Lost Boys" and found Dr. Hazeem for the first time, so went searching for him. What a measured and intelligent take from a psychiatrist. I hope he is not the last to stand up and take a public stand.

Dr Hakeem is a breath of fresh air; plain speaking and keen to actually help people make sane and rational choices in a practical manner. And, with his professional background, he’s actually more informed through years of relevant clinical practice rather than WPATH-style ideology.

I can’t recommend his book enough - like Helen Joyce’s book it’s fantastic at explaining and analysing things in terms the layperson can understand easily.

As a Cure fan, I also like his fondness for Goth music and sneaking Goth style into his formal attire 😎😊