Key Takeaways

  • The podcast discusses the US Supreme Court’s upholding of Tennessee’s ban on youth gender-affirming care and the broader implications for similar bans across states.
  • The conversation delves into the differing perspectives on adult gender transition, with one host advocating for bodily autonomy and the other emphasizing psychological care for what she views as a mental illness.
  • A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the ’turf wars’ within the gender-critical movement, highlighting a split between feminist critiques and more extreme anti-feminist viewpoints.
  • The podcast also addresses the historical context and ongoing issues surrounding child sexual exploitation and grooming gangs in the UK, critiquing the media and political response to the scandal.
  • The hosts explore the evolving definition and perceived threats to lesbian identity, particularly in the context of gender ideology and political shifts in both the UK and the US.

Segments

Debate on Adult Gender Transition and Bodily Autonomy (~00:07:00)
  • Key Takeaway: There is a fundamental disagreement on whether adults should have the autonomy to transition medically, with one host viewing it as a psychological issue and the other as a matter of bodily autonomy.
  • Summary: The conversation explores the differing views on adult gender transition. Julie Bindel believes it is a mental illness and that surgical or hormonal solutions should not be offered, advocating for psychological care. Katie Herzog, while not necessarily agreeing with the premise, emphasizes the importance of bodily autonomy for adults, even if it involves medical procedures.
Divisions within the Gender-Critical Movement (~00:25:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The gender-critical movement is experiencing a significant split between feminist critics and more extreme, anti-feminist factions.
  • Summary: Bindel explains the schism within the gender-critical movement, differentiating between feminists who critique gender ideology from a left-leaning perspective and those on the extreme right who are anti-feminist and critical of gender non-conformity. She highlights the latter group’s harshness and absolutist views.
Grooming Gangs and Child Sexual Exploitation in the UK (~00:40:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The issue of grooming gangs and child sexual exploitation in the UK, which Bindel reported on extensively in 2007, remains a critical problem with a history of institutional failure and a polarized public response.
  • Summary: The discussion turns to the long-standing issue of grooming gangs in the UK. Bindel recounts her early reporting on the topic, the resistance she faced from media outlets fearing accusations of racism, and the subsequent institutional failures to address the problem effectively. She criticizes the current political and media response, including Elon Musk’s recent comments, and calls for a thorough inquiry.
Threats to Lesbian Identity and Political Backlash (~01:15:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Lesbian identity is perceived to be under threat from gender extremism and a broader political backlash against LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in the US.
  • Summary: The hosts examine the current threats to lesbians, with Bindel pointing to gender activists and misogynistic elements. Herzog, from an American perspective, notes a concerning rise in hostility towards gay and lesbian people, linking it to the political power of the conservative right and a decline in support for issues like same-sex marriage.
Julie Bindel’s US Travel Ban and Pink News Lawsuit (~01:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Julie Bindel reveals she has been banned from entering the US for the past two years, stemming from a lawsuit against the LGBTQ+ publication Pink News.
  • Summary: Bindel shares her experience of being repeatedly denied entry into the US, suspecting it’s related to a lawsuit she filed against Pink News. She explains the context of the lawsuit, which involved a defamatory article that she believes was clearly about her, and mentions receiving support from J.K. Rowling for the legal action.
Book Discussion: ‘Lesbians, Where Are We Now?’ (~01:10:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Bindel’s book ‘Lesbians, Where Are We Now?’ explores the definition of lesbian identity and the contemporary threats it faces, particularly from gender ideology.
  • Summary: The conversation shifts to Julie Bindel’s new book, ‘Lesbians, Where Are We Now?’. She defines a lesbian as an exclusively same-sex attracted female and discusses the perceived threats to this identity, including from gender activists and those who she feels are undermining feminist principles.