Amongst modern debate on the topic, The Gender Revolution navigates controversial topics of gender from a compassionate Biblical perspective. 

What do you love most about writing?

What I love about my non-fiction writing, of which ‘The Gender Revolution’ is the latest book is that it enables me to bring my many years (almost 50 years) of study and research in sex and gender and my love for the word of God together and use it in a way to edify and educate children and adults in churches and schools – on the goodness of healthy wholesome sexuality. 

(The others are available from my publisher Youthworks Media) 

I also love that my novels allow me to bring my lived experience as a girl growing up in the tea plantations of Sri Lanka and my love for my mother land of Australia together to inspire and entertain.

What inspired you to write this book?

Firstly, the observation in my reading and academic research of the exponential increase in children and teens coming out as transgender and even seeking medicalisation for their gender distress. 

Secondly, the observation of the dearth of information available to the church on the issue of transgender. After retirement in 2012 I have been speaking in churches and schools and I have noticed that this area is one where Christians of all ages are very confused. 

My co-authors and I decided to together our decades of thorough research, medical practice and pastoral experience to provide the biblical basis for a contemporary Christian response to the complicated feelings and experiences of gender dysphoria. We have grounded this in the latest scientific findings, and provide a social critique of our cultural moment.

Gender and sexuality can be sensitive topics. What was it like to write about these?

My years of experience seeped in study and research the area and my love for the word of God and knowledge of the biblical narrative for sex and gender have made it easy for me to write on the topic. 

I have researched, written and presented in the area of sexuality and gender for almost half a century; spanning three continents of Sri Lanka, Hawaii, and Australia. After retiring from my role as the director of the graduate program in sexual health at the University of Sydney in 2012, I have spent the last twelve years of my life writing and speaking to Christian young people and adults in schools, youth groups and churches. It has given me the knowledge and comfort to write in the area. 

I find that my academic credentials as a medical doctor and academic and the fact that at the age of seventy-seven I present as a ‘wise old grey-haired woman’ makes it easier for me to speak into the area and I believe easier for the audience to accept my presentations. 

What did you find challenging or surprising while writing this book?

The dearth of Christian writers and academics researching, writing and speaking into this area. Especially on the misinformation to children and parents. My searches of academic literature and popular media showed that it was non-Christians who were willing to research and write in the area. Even when challenging the ideology came at great personal and professional loss and public condemnation.

Do you have a usual process for writing? Did you do anything differently for The Gender Revolution?

I immerse myself in reading both academic literature and popular media and speak to as many experts as possible before writing. I then spend time chatting with representatives of my target audience. In this case, pastors, ministers and church leaders as well as Christian friends of all ages. This is the same for all my non-fiction books. Also – the best brain time for me is 4.30 am to 8.00 am. The first rays of sunlight freshen my brain cells.

You’ve written a range of fiction and nonfiction books. How does the process change for fiction versus non-fiction? Do you enjoy one more than the other?

Some things are the same – research – immersion – planning – writing – editing – writing… 

The difference is the focus. I like to think of non-fiction as starting in my head. A cognitive process that then captures my motions and my heart. While writing fiction starts in my heart. A love for a place, an issue, a deep emotional connection with a specific character and their pain and joys. It then becomes a head and brain issue to research and fill in the descriptions.

What do you most hope readers will take away from The Gender Revolution?

We hope that readers will see that our book is not against people. People who are struggling with gender and sexual issues deserve to be loved and treated with care and compassion. It is the ideology that we wish to challenge and critique. 

The book provides a biblical, biological and compassionate response to the transgender craze sweeping our culture. 

We hope the readers will find answers to common questions such as: How can you show love to someone who feels that their gender identity does not match how God made them—especially amid loud social messaging that says compassion and disagreement are incompatible? How do we keep the conversation grounded in reality? 

How do we lead others away from the harmful desire to transform their body into something it can never truly be? 

Why would hearing an explanation of God’s design for our bodies and his guidance for sexual expression be good for them, and how could you possibly begin that conversation.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

My co-authors and I are currently writing a teen version of The Gender Revolution. We plan to follow this with a book for parents on how to address issues of gender with their children. 

Meanwhile, I am editing my second book of the Serendib series – Nephilim Rising and planning a third – Seraphim Return.