Behind the Scenes of Writing the Book, The Trans Train

It still astonishes me about the reactions I get when I tell someone I have written a book about “trans”. While I wrote it, if I kept other parents in mind, I could keep going. I knew parents with a trans-identifying child wanted a voice. Many simply could not say anything due to a kid living at home, vulnerability about their job and many other reasons. There were times when I almost quit. My editor begged me to publish. Day by day, I tamed my anxiety, focused on the contribution I wished to make, and kept going.

This topic, “trans”, and my book has changed every relationship I have. Some friends and family stepped up with incredible support. Others hoped I would just be quiet. Some walked away from me. Those who really have no idea what is going on with medicalization of kids would say things like, “We just need to love everyone.” Anyone who reads my book will clearly be able to tell that I have always and will always love my daughter. Tina Turner used to sing, “What’s love got to do with it?” When a harmful ideology comes into a family, love doesn’t usually make it all hunky-dory. I will advocate until the day I die that the root cause of distress must be acknowledged, treated, and healed. That is love from my standpoint. The focus on deeper issues takes some digging and may require multiple disciplines and approaches and often, a lot of time. How can an “affirmation-only” stance properly care for our kids? Is agreeing with whatever a kid says what love means? I am a big fan of love, but that word does not address the complexity of trans ideology and the medicalization model many kids get sucked into, including mine.

I am politically in the middle. I have friends who are Democrats and friends who are Republicans. I’ve always had an array of friends with different ideologies. I learn from both sides and ask a lot of questions. We must come together to stop the harm happening to so many kids. Sadly, my friends on the left side of the political spectrum are the least supportive of me writing a book. Some don’t talk to me anymore. That being said, the NY Times piece, As Kids, They Thought They Were Trans. They No Longer Do by Pamela Paul, came out within 24 hours of my book release, much to my surprise.

If I sent that article to liberal leaning friends before I mentioned my book came out, they were much more open to considering my view. Thank you to the author, Pamela Paul, for paving the way towards increased receptivity of my book. At the same time, it struck me as sad that people I knew might not take me seriously or even care a bit about my family’s situation until the NY Times said something similar first.

A few days after both the Times article and my book were released, The Free Press announced a new whistleblower, Tamara Pietzke.

I felt heartened that the tide seemed to be turning with these news items clustered around my book’s release.

In business, one often learns the marketing principle that customers need to see a brand at least seven times before they commit to a purchase decision. So, I tell myself that perhaps this principle applies to my situation as well and that family and friends on the fence may need a few more exposures to credible sources (or their beloved sources) and voices speaking up about the harms of gender ideology and drastic medicalization procedures.

By the way, a friend of mine told me that detransition is rare because NPR said so, and as a result, would not look at or hear anything I said about detransitioners. Let’s hope NPR can follow the NY Times and interview detransitioners and report on the controversy with the gender industry.

Thankfully, more parent voices are being heard. I am grateful to whistleblowers and brave journalists, writers, and many others who share their concerns. Perhaps we are at a tipping point that pushes this topic into a wider arena of discussion.

Those who read my book may not agree with me on all points, but I hope there will be enough “aha “moments to shift paradigms or cause “Peak Trans”. For those who have not heard the term “Peak Trans”, it refers to the moment someone realizes something is off with the “trans” movement or an event that prompts a person to reject transgender ideology. We need a lot more people to see the reality of this ideology and what it is doing to kids, families, and society in many dimensions.

Let’s put books, films, and resources together to help bring awareness to others. Visit my resource page and read another book, visit a website, or watch a film. Pick a group or organization and become involved or donate money. There are so many ways to make a difference and tip the scales to greater awareness of the issues with gender ideology and the medicalization pathway.

I hope to hear from parents who found my book of value in some way. Let me know what caught your attention and what helped you most.

Most importantly, parents, we must hang in there and see this through. I have hope for the future. We must stay strong. Our kids need us to lead and role model for them. Keep the door open to estranged kids. Hold the space for their return. And keep living your best life as much as you can.

In hope for a better future,

Lisa Shultz

https://lisashultz.com/