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Zoe-Jane Playdon
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The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes: And the Unwritten History of the Trans Experience Hardcover – November 2, 2021

by Zoë Playdon (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 64 ratings
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The life story of an aristocratic Scottish trans man and the secret 1968 legal case that provides “a fascinating look into the changing landscape of trans rights” (Library Journal) throughout history.

Ewan Forbes was born to a wealthy, landowning family, holders of a baronetcy, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1912. Assigned female at birth, his true identity was nevertheless clear even in childhood—and so, with the support of his mother, he was taken to European specialists and eventually treated with early preparations of synthetic testosterone. Raised as a boy at home but socially obliged to present himself as a girl in public until his official coming out to the Queen, Ewan grew up, became a doctor, and got married. (This required him to correct the sex on his birth certificate, which was possible at that time without much fuss.) For decades, he lived a quiet life as a husband, doctor, and a pillar of the local community.

But in 1965, Ewan’s older brother died unexpectedly—leaving Ewan, the next oldest man in the family, to inherit the baronetcy. When his cousin John—spurred on by Ewan’s sister—contested the inheritance he was forced to defend his male status in Scotland’s supreme civil court, where he prevailed.

This hugely important case would have changed the lives of trans people across the world—had it not been hidden. The hearing was conducted privately, the media were gagged, and those involved were sworn to secrecy. The case remained unknown until 1996 and is at last described here, along with the life of Ewan Forbes, for the first time. Enlightening and galvanizing, The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes is a “remarkable…vital historical reference” (Booklist) for transgender history and the ongoing struggle for trans rights.
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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Scribner
  4. Publication date
    November 2, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.3 x 8.38 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1982139463
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1982139469
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes

The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes

The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes

The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] remarkable story ... Readers are engaged in the life of an early-twentieth-century transgender man and the struggles and pitfalls that came with accessing affirming legal documentation and medical care ... Especially since where materials regarding Forbes' life are lacking, Playdon thoroughly contextualizes his story with transgender history throughout the twentieth century, ultimately creating a vital historical reference."
—Booklist

"A fascinating look into the changing landscape of trans rights in the United Kingdom. Recommended for readers interested in the evolution of modern trans rights."
—Library Journal

“Playdon marshals a wealth of scientific and legal detail and paints a sympathetic yet evenhanded portrait of Forbes ... The result is a valuable contribution to trans history.”
—Publishers Weekly

"Zoë Playdon shines dazzling light on the case of an early trans pioneer, a man whose dignity and courage remain an inspiration to a new generation of trans people, and those that love us. Abundant with compassion, clarity, and meticulous research, Ms. Playdon ensures that Ewan Forbes’s case will remain hidden no more. Urgent, generous, and wise.”
—Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of She’s Not There and Good Boy

"A detective story featuring bitter family conflicts, secret legal battles, and a deep dive into the history of sexology, The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes is a compulsive page turner as well as an enlightening, ultimately sobering, journey through the most intricate corners of LGBT history. Moving from baronial estates in Scotland to the permissive world of 1960s swinging London, Zoë Playdon deftly weaves together multiple narratives of transgender history to brilliantly place Ewen Forbes’s story and struggle in historical context. A gripping and important book."
—Michael Bronski, Professor of the Practice in Activism and Media Studies of Women, Gender and Sexuality at Harvard University

"Zoë Playdon has written a formidable book which is unputdownable. The more I read the more I wanted to know... A breathtaking story, magnificently researched and told and which lays bare how rights are fought for, [how they] are always under attack, and the human suffering discrimination perpetuates. I was moved, fired with anger at the injustice and thankful that Zoë had dedicated years of determination to unravel and reveal this heartrending story. It is a wake-up call; until we are all equal, none of us are."
—Lord Cashman, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, actor, writer, politician

"In this meticulous, fascinating and empathetic account, Zoë Playdon takes the reader within a series of established institutions -- from biological science and medical practice to courts and aristocracy -- as they wrestled with often novel questions of gender identity before they became constrained by the ideological framework of today's political debates."
—Sasha Issenberg, author of The Engagement: America's Quarter Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage

About the Author

Zoë Playdon is the Emeritus Professor of Medical Humanities at the University of London and a Council member of the Association for Medical Humanities. She holds five degrees, including two doctorates. Zoë is a former cochair of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists [GLADD] and cofounded the Parliamentary Forum on Gender Identity in 1994. She has thirty years’ experience of frontline work in LGBTI human rights, including supporting and advising on UK and European legal cases.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner (November 2, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982139463
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982139469
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.3 x 8.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 64 ratings

About the author

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Zoe-Jane Playdon

Zoe-Jane Playdon

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Zoë Playdon is the Emeritus Professor of Medical Humanities at the University of London. She holds five degrees, including two doctorates. Zoë is a former co-chair of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists [GLADD] and, with Dr Lynne Jones MP, co-founded the Parliamentary Forum on Gender Identity in 1994. She has thirty years experience of front-line work in LGBTI human rights, including supporting and advising on UK and European legal cases. 'The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes' is her first book for a general audience.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
64 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mitt
5.0 out of 5 stars A careful analysis and history of a fascinating case
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
What an amazing history! We are lucky that an expert in medical ethics and long-time volunteer/advisor to human rights lawyers took the time to research this case. Prof Playdon has a rare skill set, writes extremely well, and has produced a calm and compassionate history of the trans experience around the central story of a country doctor and nobleman. The prologue clearly explains why the author considers the case to have been hidden (and until when) and the reader should be left in no doubt as to how important it was, at that time, to be considered hermaphrodite and not trans (whether you were or weren't). There have been criticisms (media/twitter) of these two points that I just can't fathom as the book is forensically clear about them. The people described in this book had to navigate a truly vicious world where your future could rest on the careless use of a single word - you had to know the unwritten rules. The levels of anxiety must have been sky high. This book was an eye-opener in the same way that the pulitzer-winning '1619 project' was. You don't have to be interested in LGBTQ issues to read this - it's just a great read. Well done Prof Playdon.
One person found this helpful
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Erin Stout
4.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Narrative
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
The author does an amazing job of providing context and texture to the world in which Ewan Forbes lived during his life. It is both encouraging and sad to see how gender affirmative care could be found in the early 20th century, but then mid century things turned against that standard of care. The author draws parallels to the current cycle/wave working against gender affirmative care and a compelling argument that the cycle does not need to continue.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

KetoInThe.UK
5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate book on the history of trans rights
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
Incredibly well written, easy to follow but the most outstanding thing is the research. So detailed and well sourced, the bibliography and notes alone are worth of the most complete academic paper.
3 people found this helpful
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Saralexis
5.0 out of 5 stars Compassionate and fascinating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
I’m afraid I found the start somewhat slow going, being about Ewan’s early life, but I’m glad I persevered. The discussion of the development of medical, scientific and legal opinions relating to transgender people is fascinating.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Absolutely fascinating read and beautifully written. I thought I was quite well versed on the gender/sex debate but learnt so much from this book. Meticulously researched it is fascinating tale of a story that was buried! Highly recommended 5*
10 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
An amazing story of a shameful time in Scottish and English history. Everyone should read it.
2 people found this helpful
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Dadsone
1.0 out of 5 stars What a Drag
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
I bought this book following the author`s interview on radio 4. It sounded an interesting and informative read. How disappointed I became as I progressed through the book.....a couple of pages at a time coz that`s all I could manage. What a drag. The main theme of the book can be gleaned within the first couple of pages, where the author laments the loss of a court case on LGBTI issues. It is this loss and a meriad of various LGBTI issues that any reader has thrust down their throat. The story of our hero in the book could be adequately and comprehensively told in 50 pages. The book has 308....that tells you what this book is REALLY about. A book for insomniacs......you`ll be cured in 10 minutes. So boring.
6 people found this helpful
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