This book is based on the idea that a transgender person's interpretation of concepts like 'femininity' and 'transgender' can either increase or reduce gender dysphoria. As Conrad demonstrates, theories such as feminine essence – while seeming helpful – add an urgency and intensity to dysphoria and create a bias towards non organic treatments.
Conrad concludes that if certain concepts have a negative effect on gender dysphoria then there must be others that are positive. Thus Conrad deconstructs contemporary transgender theory and reassembles it in a way which unequivocally affirms transgender identity but makes it less taxing on your wallet, your body and your family.
To achieve this, Conrad has written a powerful self help book which objectifies gender dysphoria as a hard taskmaster that makes specific and real demands on the sufferer. Conrad examines these demands and looks for tricks, shortcuts and concepts that will satisfy the need for authentic gender expression without wholesale transition.
