"Children’s authors who have spoken out against gender ideology are characterised as outliers and contrarians. But I believe they are outliers only in their brave decision to speak out.”
This is indeed troubling. I agree with you entirely about the dangers of "born in the wrong body" to children. Children believe authority figures, especially parents, teachers, and carers--which is why it's so important for us not to LIE to them! Furthermore, what does this kind of message communicate to disabled children, or those who have chronic illnesses? I bet they wish they could claim to have been "born in the wrong body," and demand a new one! Sheesh.
A. N., at least one person on the inside agrees with you! I know of a book we made changes to so it couldn’t be seen as sending the wrong message. It bothers me a lot, but it’s more prudent to make the change—a social media pile-on could kill a book and the author’s reputation.
I told a close friend in my office about my feelings on this issue, and I had a breakdown afterward because if she had been militant, she could have gotten me in trouble. I can’t risk losing my income and my family’s health insurance. It’s a scary time.
Thank you for writing this. It makes me feel less alone.
It is a scary time and I'm sorry you've suffered so greatly. Just remember – you are not alone. There are so many of us hiding away, far more than we know and far more than we dare hope. I only know this because with every post I either write or publish for others on here, more authors approach me, often on Twitter, needing to talk or vent but terrified to speak publicly. I honestly think if publishers stand firm, then social-media pile ons will become so ineffective they'll end up being ignored. So often we find that the pile-ons create their own backlash – look at American Dirt. Two millions copies sold. Publishers need to stand by their authors and stop capitulating.
Someone has to lead the fight, and if there are as many who are in your camp as you say there are - and I do believe that - then perhaps you need to set up a system where you can join together anonymously until such time as there are enough represented to provide protection for all.
This is indeed troubling. I agree with you entirely about the dangers of "born in the wrong body" to children. Children believe authority figures, especially parents, teachers, and carers--which is why it's so important for us not to LIE to them! Furthermore, what does this kind of message communicate to disabled children, or those who have chronic illnesses? I bet they wish they could claim to have been "born in the wrong body," and demand a new one! Sheesh.
A. N., at least one person on the inside agrees with you! I know of a book we made changes to so it couldn’t be seen as sending the wrong message. It bothers me a lot, but it’s more prudent to make the change—a social media pile-on could kill a book and the author’s reputation.
I told a close friend in my office about my feelings on this issue, and I had a breakdown afterward because if she had been militant, she could have gotten me in trouble. I can’t risk losing my income and my family’s health insurance. It’s a scary time.
Thank you for writing this. It makes me feel less alone.
It is a scary time and I'm sorry you've suffered so greatly. Just remember – you are not alone. There are so many of us hiding away, far more than we know and far more than we dare hope. I only know this because with every post I either write or publish for others on here, more authors approach me, often on Twitter, needing to talk or vent but terrified to speak publicly. I honestly think if publishers stand firm, then social-media pile ons will become so ineffective they'll end up being ignored. So often we find that the pile-ons create their own backlash – look at American Dirt. Two millions copies sold. Publishers need to stand by their authors and stop capitulating.
Someone has to lead the fight, and if there are as many who are in your camp as you say there are - and I do believe that - then perhaps you need to set up a system where you can join together anonymously until such time as there are enough represented to provide protection for all.