The relationship between print media and the transgender community has always been a difficult one and for the most part an annoyingly superficial and deeply unsatisfying one. However, recently the animosity between the two has gone into hyperdrive, supercharged for a large part by mainstream political opportunism reacting to a resurgent and virulently transphobic far right.
This is not a particularly novel observation and there are many great commentators out there who have made similar points but as a long-standing campaigner for trans rights (and author of several essential texts on the subject), Riki Wilchins is a pretty well placed to conduct a much-needed long-form investigation.
Given the huge scope of the issue currently, the first question to tackle must be where on earth to begin. Tackling the phenomenon in the round, as it were, is counterproductive as the generalities that demands often means that the precise detail of the discussion often gets overlooked. And so, Wilchins’ decision to do a deep dive on one particular title is the correct, and possibly inspired, one.
From a British perspective, the choice of the New York Times might be an oddly parochial one. Not that Wilchins can be blamed for this because (as they point out) it’s their ‘local’ paper. But there’s also a strong rationale for using the NYT as their case study.
While the paper’s circulation might be confined largely to the eastern US, it nevertheless does command a lot of influence globally, thanks in no small part to the internet (and as Wilchins’ points out, the drive for clicks was in large part the rationale for the NYT’s lurch into ‘gender critical’ territory.
Another reason is that the story of the office politics behind the paper’s drift to transphobic clickbait is interesting in itself (or is if you’re a news nerd like me) and can perhaps be seen as a localised case study for the battle that has been playing out across many parts of the world, perhaps most notably recently at the highest level of international politics. That the NYT’s story also contains an (admittedly inconclusive) revolt against management by the paper’s staff and readers offers not only a nice element of narrative bite to the story but also some much-needed hope for the future.
The structure of the book is largely chronological and it’s here that Wilchins’ decision for each chapter to break down one or two of the paper’s most egregiously biased examples pays dividends as it allows them to forensically dismantle the factual and journalistic errors and rhetorical sleight of hand upon which much ‘gender critical’ argument relies.
It’s this that makes the book possibly a good one to recommend to anyone seeking to do their own research on the often overheated debate around trans rights because not only is it highly readable narrative in its own right but it also does a pretty good job of calmly and even-handedly dismantling the arguments contained with the original articles themselves.
If the book in unsatisfying in any way, it’s perhaps because it feels slightly unfinished. Again, this is no reflection on Wilchins but is rather a reflection upon times which were living through where the fight for trans rights and acceptance is still going through one of its toughest periods. There’s undoubtedly scope for a revised edition in the future when it finally becomes apparent how the right-wing Christian National political chicanery in the US and elsewhere ultimately plays out but in the meantime it can definitely be considered a useful and important addition to the currently ongoing fight back.
From a British perspective, it would be nice to see Wilchins’ book used as a template for some future works where the UK’s often equally transphobic press could merit from a similar forensic takedown. There are at least one or two mastheads on this side of the Atlantic that come to mind as that deserve this level of journalistic scrutiny, particularly in the wake of the increasingly problematic Cass Report.

Read if: you need some solid facts and figures to rebut all the anti-trans rhetoric or you care about journalistic integrity and want to see bad journalism picked apart.

Riki Wilchins' 'Bad Ink' is both a scathing evidence filled takedown of the anti-trans articles run in the Times and a witty commentary on the many falsehoods and agendas powering the anti-trans movement.
This book excellently explains how the 'concern' about protecting trans children (that claims to be the reason for so many of these articles), is driven less by actual concern for their mental or physical health but rather by the votes right wing politicians can win off this issue, and the number of digital subscriptions the Times can sell by generating outrage.

This book has made me more informed about this topic. Previously when this would come up I would advocate for trans youth and try to point out the falsehoods in reporting about them, but I admit I often lacked the right words or facts. I knew that what I was being told sounded incorrect or biased but I didn't have the facts and figures to fully respond to these anti-trans assertions. Not only has this book excellently highlighted the problems with these narratives, but it has given me the ability to challenge them properly.

Thank you to Netgalley, Riverdale Avenue Books, and Riki Wilchins for a copy of the book. Review also posted on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7380252149

This book offers a comprehensive survey of the NYT coverage of transgender people and issues, arguing that within the last decade, the publication has used trans people as a punching bag in order to court republican readers. This book is thoughtful, well-researched, and incredibly readable. It presupposes a base-level of agreeance among readers and does not dedicate space to debating the legitimacy of trans identities or the necessity of transition. This book is a rough read, emotionally, but incredibly worth it.

I spent more time than usual on this book because I wanted to take seriously the monstrous work done on this book. I research and double check the information provided in the book along my read and it was easy as Riki didn't just wrote a magnificent book but also provide so much sources and fact-check footnote, that it threw me in a rabbit hole of research about Trans care and all the misinformation campaign ran in background (or not so much for some) by the white christian groups. I was already pretty educated on the subject but this book pushed me so much deeper and farther. This book should be required reading at least for people leading to a journalistic career and for those with a media platform in political and social environments. +bonus for the wit and sarcasms here and there.

BAD INK by Riki Wilchins should be required reading for all journalism students--and all journalists working in the field today. The book is infuriating because it's true; Wilchins presents and proves a very persuasive argument that the Times went after (and continues to go after) transgender teens to make the newspaper more palatable to the far right (the far Christian right). BAD INK is a scathing and necessary takedown of what was once an institution representing the very best in journalism. Many thanks to Riki Wilchins for doing this work and putting it all together in a book so that we can learn from it--and hopefully protect instead of harm trans kids.

Interesting look at how the Times paper shifts from being an ally pro-trans rights to attacking the youth. Difficult read especially at the current climate in the US in regards to anti trans bills and a lack of support for those who require medical care.

Bad Ink: How The New York Times Sold Out Transgender Teens by Riki Wilchins is a searing, necessary critique of how mainstream media has failed one of the most vulnerable communities. Wilchins writes with passion and precision, exposing how harmful narratives about transgender youth are shaped, amplified, and legitimized by institutions that should know better.

What stood out to me most was the way Wilchins combines meticulous research with deep empathy. The book doesn’t just critique—it advocates fiercely for the lives and dignity of transgender teens, making it impossible to ignore the real harm caused by sensationalist, biased reporting. The analysis of The New York Times is sharp and well-supported, but the broader exploration of media ethics and responsibility is what really hit home for me.

This is not an easy read—it will make you angry—but it’s an important one. Wilchins challenges readers to question not only what they consume but also how they hold media accountable. For anyone who cares about justice and truth, this book is a must. It’s a gut-punch and a call to action, and I couldn’t put it down.

Very well done and highly informative! I really enjoyed this read and it sent me down a rabbit hole of research into the politics of journalism. Highly recommended!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Again this book was too consumed by statistics. It wasn’t a book that was easy read and I didn’t understand it. It more consumed by statistics than the actual plot. I am disappointed but this does not take anything away from the book it’s because I just couldn’t follow it.

This was a good and informative book! I like the information about trans people and how there are a lot of things not well known, or that people can learn about. I think the writing was good too, very informative and it kept me engaged while reading this

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Bad Ink is a scathing takedown of The New York Times and the relentless attack on trans teens that it has spearheaded.

Wilchins goes through article by article and debunks, comments or fact checks claims made by journalists or opinion pieces - where NYT have been slacking from their side or straight up ignoring their own rules for good press ethics to underline their own standpoint. This book covers articles that profile trans women in their day to day life, their reports on ballroom culture, their spread of misinformation in terms of gender affirming care and the dealings behind the scenes (which include replacing a trans employee with someone vocally anti-trans, and making another feel they have no choice but to leave the workplace because they will get punished for speaking out). All in the name of clicks and engagement.

Wilchins does a good job of highlighting how the change in how people consume news has led to a change in strategy for papers, and a reliance on clickbait or articles they know will gain traction. This, largely, goes at the expense of trans youth. The list of sources Wilchins uses to back up her claims are extensive and the book is well written, well researched and compassionate whilst still having some snark and humour.

The New York Times is supposed to be one of the leading news sources in America. What happened to the neutrality of this organization? The newspaper went after transgender teens with talking points from the white, Christian right. How can a neutral reporting agency go after a group with only talking points from ONE side? That is what this book investigates.

This is a good expose on a very pressing issue, sounding a clarion call about how a long-respected paper, one treated as the pinnacle of journalism where the best of the best go to play, is being hijacked and could serve to launch a flurry of persecution against a marginalized group, an offense as shameful as their cheerleading of the Iraq War. In the name of centrism and being Fair and Balanced™️, the New York Times has already allowed itself to be warped and transformed and in the name of gaining more subscribers, they’re going to throw trans people under the bus.

My quibble is that this book feels somewhat incomplete, more like an extended article than a proper book.

This was a really fascinating read about how the New York Times messed with Transgender teens, it was informative and had a voice to it. Riki Wilchins wrote this in a way that chronicles the journey and was really well written that I was looking for.

Bad ink: how the New York Times sold out transgender teens - Riki Wilchins

“I believe we need a New York Times. I just don't believe we need this New York Times”
4☆|5

As I read the last words written by Riki Wilchins in this book, I finally let tears out of my eyes. Tears of frustration and anger, mostly. I finally finished navigating this intimidating book, and it was certainly a heavy read, which usually comes with such heavy subjects. This is truly a well-done and fantastic book. It takes hundreds of pages to debunk transphobic misinformation shared by the NYT since the newspaper saw a change of publisher in 2015.

Indeed, since then and for the last 10 years, the Times has dedicated dozens of articles, attacking transgenders teenagers and kids on all plans. Medical transitions, “increase” of the number of trans people, social transition, … Everything. This book can be a really heavy reading because we can read and see all that hate and transphobia. But we can also see the author brilliantly debunking it, point by point. Adding additional study results that were not covered by the Times - we all wonder why - explaining exactly how the Times shifted its treatment of transgender people.

This book is brilliant, and I do believe that it's a necessary reading - if only to counter the argument that the right wing is being “stupid” because they are not, they know exactly what they are doing, and the Times knew as well when it started listening to them and giving them the floor - but I wouldn't recommend it to everyone. Because even if it debunks the transphobia, it is still there. It took me multiple weeks to read it because I often needed breaks from it because I couldn't deal with it anymore. So please take care and make sure that it's okay with you before reading it. But it is truly an interesting book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Riverdale Avenue Books for sending me an eARC for this book!

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. Media isn't unbiased and this book explains how. The focus is on NyT but a lot of what happens with them, happens across media. Transhate and transhate groups get a platform for their misinformation and hatred while trans people rarely do. The timeline, the explainations why, and the debunking of misinformation is well done. Required reading.

This book is an extremely helpful resource in understanding the history of the good and bad of journalism with a focus on trans people. I wanted for so long to read a book like this after concluding myself that the right wing attention on trans people is alarming. I’m so thankful this book came around the right time for me and gave me infinitely more insight into why that is! Sometimes, it’s a hard read for me because I didn’t grasp things so easily as a cisgender person, but I’m sure that after reading the footnotes and a few rereads I will understand a lot better.