In a dramatic turn of events at the launch of Abigail Shrier’s controversial book “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters” in Ramat Gan, a trans teenager found themselves at the center of a heated confrontation. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ demonstrators had gathered outside the Sela Meir publishing office to voice their opposition to the book’s Hebrew translation, which argues that gender dysphoria is a product of social contagion. The incident unfolded on Sunday, attracting attention and igniting a wave of protests.
The event had faced multiple cancellations and location changes due to activists raising concerns about the book’s content. However, despite efforts to maintain secrecy, the private location in Ramat Gan was leaked once again. Outside the venue, protesters waved Pride and Israeli flags, drummed, and chanted slogans, expressing their solidarity with the trans community.
Inside the event, a courageous 17-year-old trans individual named Ayelet approached Abigail Shrier, only to be forcibly tackled and dragged out of the venue. Despite the teenager’s impassioned plea, stating, “We are not a disease, we are not a contagion, we are people,” some individuals in the audience responded with derogatory slurs. The incident highlighted the deep divisions surrounding the book’s message and the urgent need for acceptance and understanding.
Speaking to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Ayelet, who uses they/them pronouns, shared their motivations for attending the event. They expressed their opposition to the importation of bigotry from the United States and emphasized the importance of self-determination for trans individuals. The teenager affirmed their rights to make choices about their own body and expressed gratitude for the love and acceptance they receive from their parents, despite the challenges posed by Shrier’s narrative.
Amy Roseman, one of the protest organizers, denounced the book as a source of misinformation that hinders parental acceptance of trans children. She argued that the book’s promotion of the idea that transgenderism can be “cured” only perpetuates pain and suffering, leading to mental illness and even suicide. Roseman highlighted the urgency of parental acceptance as a means to prevent such harm.
The incident and subsequent protests shed light on the ongoing struggle for trans rights and acceptance in Israel. As the voices of the LGBTQ+ community grow louder, so does the call for greater understanding, compassion, and inclusivity within society.