Introduction

This chapter introduces the key themes explored in the book and foreshadows its structure, focus, and conclusions. The introduction starts with an explanation of brain-sex binary theories and how they link to the idea of a biological ‘true sex’ determinant. The focus on the special medical jurisdiction of the Australian Family Court and its judicial decision-making for trans and intersex minors is explained. The introduction outlines the book's overall structure and discusses terminology in a number of contentious discourses including trans and intersex issues. The chapter concludes with a caveat about the risks of critiquing scientific and biomedical research as a non-scientist.