This article is taken from the March 2023 issue of The Critic. To get the full magazine why not subscribe? Right now we’re offering five issues for just £10.

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The penis is a phallic symbol. As such, it is inherently problematic. Unless it is attached to a woman, in which case it is empowering. 

Take the recent case of Isla Bryson, often deadnamed in the media as “Adam Graham the Double Rapist”. This courageous young woman was all set to be housed in a female prison in Scotland when some transphobes started complaining. 

Even Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP’s reliably progressive leader, claimed that she couldn’t be sure whether Isla Bryson was actually a woman. This is an outrage. Just because Isla has a penis, testicles and a track record of sexual assault doesn’t make her any less of a lady. 

What more proof of her womanhood do you need?

Only a bigot would deny Isla’s lived experience. If you look closely at some of the photographs of her in the press, you can clearly see that she is wearing pink nail varnish and lipstick. What more proof of her womanhood do you need? 

Besides, as SNP politician Shona Robison has pointed out: “There is no evidence that predatory and abusive men have ever had to pretend to be anything else to carry out abusive and predatory behaviour”. And with the exception of all those Scout masters and priests and teachers and serial killers and sex offenders who have lied about their identity to gain access to their victims, there are quite literally NO examples. 

“But Isla Bryson is a dangerous criminal!” scream the transphobes. Well, given that our justice system was created in order to oppress the most marginalised in our society, I actually do not think it is physically possible for a trans person to commit a crime. 

In any case, as Isla’s defence lawyer pointed out in court, the fact that she has transitioned to female surely “goes a long way to acquitting her of these charges”. Rape is a crime of male aggression. Isla Bryson is a woman.  Therefore, she cannot be guilty.

That there was even a trial in the first place just goes to show how transphobic our society has become. Isla Bryson identifies as innocent, and that’s good enough for me.