Stella & Sasha welcome author, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist Dr. Az Hakeem to the show, sharing his experience and insights from his extensive career spanning over two decades in the field of gender dysphoria. He reflects how he initially recognized the growing confusion around the issue and noted that the real "madness" was not in the individuals struggling with gender identity, but in society's response to them.
“Not one [patient] could say what it was to be a woman or vice versa a man. They would just talk about stereotypic behaviors, or what they look like, which of course isn’t a woman. So it's almost like blackface or imitation. And if you can imitate to the point that people believe you're that, therefore you are that.”
Educated at Rydal School and University College London, Az Hakeem completed his medical and psychiatric training at top London and Glasgow hospitals. He is a Fellow of The Royal College of Psychiatrists and has specialized in Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. Dr. Hakeem is a Professional Patron of The LGB Alliance and a member of the Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG).
He is the author of TRANS: Exploring Gender Identity and Gender Dysphoria (published in 2018), and his latest book, DETRANS: When Transition is not the Solution (published in 2023), which is a book not to be mistakenly assumed as solely about the experience of detransitioning. Rather, it focuses on debunking the myths surrounding gender ideology that activists promote. It challenges the broader narratives about gender identity, questioning commonly accepted views, and sheds light on the complexities of the entire gender debate. DETRANS seeks to address the misconceptions and ideologies that shape public understanding of gender.
In this episode, not only does he revisit his poignant and popular “goth mark-5” analysis as referenced in his previous appearance on Gender: A Wider Lens, but Dr. Hakeem also outlines his four distinct categories of individuals within the broad trans identity label, offering insights into their psychological and sociological distinctions based on his extensive clinical experience with gender dysphoric individuals. He emphasizes that understanding these distinctions is crucial for addressing the needs and motivations of each group more accurately.
“At one stage I thought the transsexual mindset was one of delusion and therefore psychosis. I then revised this to realize that, as with anorexia, it is an 'over-valued idea’ which is relentlessly pursued by the individual.”
- from DETRANS by Az Hakeem
Other key ideas explored in this conversation include:
What happens when an autistic way of thinking meets queer theory.
Dr. Hakeem’s opinion, as a clinician in the UK, about the future of GIDS (the Gender Identity Development Service at the NHS Tavistock Clinic).
The concept of the “overvalued idea”, what light that can shed on gender dysphoria, and how to gain a clearer picture of trans ideation in general, it’s essential to explore this concept more deeply.
Advice for parents navigating conversations with their trans identified kids, emphasizing a curious, non-confrontational approach that invites young people to explore how they arrived at their conclusions, rather than focusing solely on what those conclusions are
“It's a bit like an anorexic going and getting an Ozempic…you wouldn't give an anorexic Ozempic even if they really wanted it.”
The discussion examines society’s shallow perceptions of gender, which often rely on platitudes like "trapped in the wrong body," fueled by the backlash against those who question gender ideologies. Dr. Hakeem argues that the trans movement, particularly the "T" in LGBTQ, has gained political protection by aligning itself with the rights of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals.
This episode offers a compelling analysis that challenges the status quo and encourages a deeper understanding of gender identity, its implications, and the societal influences on trans ideation.
Resources & Links
Learn more about Dr. Az Hakeem
@Doctor_Az_ on X
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