Belgian Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval (MR) has been accused of transphobia after recommending a controversial book on the so-called "transgender ideology" – 'Transmania' by Marguerite Stern and Dora Moutot – to his followers on social media.
Clarinval sent out a tweet featuring the cover of the book 'Transmania: enquête sur les dérives de l'idéologie transgenre' ("Transmania: investigation into the excesses of transgender ideology"), calling it "a book to read as a matter of urgency." He also congratulated its two authors, Moutot and Stern – two self-proclaimed French "feminist" activists.
The book was published in April 2023 in France by the Magnus publishing company, which also publishes far-right cartoonist Marsault and far-right activist Papacito, among others.
Transmania: enquête sur les dérives de l'idéologie transgenre. Un livre à lire d'urgence ! Bravo @Margueritestern et @doramoutot pic.twitter.com/6rflThIzy9
— David Clarinval (@DavidClarinval) August 5, 2024
The book's content immediately sparked debate and controversy across France. Over 350 pages, the authors attempt to demonstrate the existence of a "transgender ideology," which they describe as a "well-crafted political project to lead the world towards a more global transhumanist project," while asserting that "transgenderism is a new fashion."
The book conflates gender identity and sexuality – and without any evidence suggest there is a connection between transgender identity and paedophilia, resorting to an old homophobic trope. "Transgender ideology and its abuses open up an interesting breach for the advance of paedophile demands," authors Stern and Moutot wrote.
On the publisher's website, the book is described as the result of "thorough investigation" and "years of work," but Betel Mabille, specialist in Gender Studies, called it "dangerous."
"It is dangerous because it is false. It presents itself as an investigation, as a scientific book, but it is closer to fiction or fantasy," Mabille told RTFB. "It presents a false and stereotyped image of transgender people and specifically of transgender women."
In line with MR's strategy
The book has been widely denounced by LGBTQ+ associations, which accuse it of conveying an unabashedly transphobic discourse. Additionally, the company responsible for the advertising campaign (JCDecaux) has also withdrawn the posters promoting the book at the request of the Paris City Council.
Meanwhile, the book has become a symbol of the far-right in France, according to sociologist David Paternotte (ULB). He added that he has "serious doubts" as to whether Clarinval was unaware of the French controversy – calling his social media post in line with MR's current positions.
"In the party's programme, gender equality issues are not a priority – as evidenced by the coalition agreement presented last month – but there is nothing outrageous or extreme about LGBTQ+ issues," Paternotte told Le Soir. "Still, there has been a desire on the part of the MR to surf on these issues and send out signals to a more radicalised electorate for months."
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On the eve of the Belgian Pride last year, however, MR leader Georges-Louis Bouchez stated that "the rights of LGBTQ+ people are human rights that benefit society as a whole" and denounced "homophobia, biphobia and transphobia."
Contacted for comment by The Brussels Times, Clarinval only said that he read the book while he was on holiday. "This book gives a broader view of the transgender issue."
