Listen now | David Volodzko speaks with Mia Hughes about the different waves of the trans movement, the DSM-V and gender dysmorphic disorder, how the trans movement operates as a cult, legal support for trans activism in U.S.
Around 1980 I started reading psychological literature that pathologized homosexuality. What I found was that much of the literature was in essence a transposition of the discomfort, let's say, that theology/philosophy/psychology had for women. In fact, the literature on homosexuality seemed to largely concentrate on effeminate males as its reference point. (That's me....an effeminate male.)
Speed up to about 4 years ago when I encountered the warm-bath sounding "gender affirming care". Why does gender have to be affirmed? If medical, Wouldn't exploration (which is considered "coversion therapy") be the way to go? Then I heard these things called "gender dysphoria" and "gender non-conforming". I soon realized those things boiled down to sissy boys and tomgirls.........2 groups that as adults grow up to be very often be gay/lesbians.
In 1973, American Psychological Association had dropped the pathologizing of homosexuality. But very clearly, it had come back, but now it's called "gender dysphoria". And if you've read Hannah Barnes' excellent "Time to Think" you will know that some clinicians at Tavistock in London joked about there be no more homosexuals after all the transing was done.
BTW, this is a fantastic article that you should make time to read, or at least, please skim:
Whoa, thank you. That article is not entirely surprising but it does seem that the deeper one looks into the movement, the uglier things get, without bottom.
Mia Hughes says there's no such thing as a "trans kid" and Jordan Peterson has compared the trans youth movement, in particular gender-affirming surgery for children, to Nazi medical experiments.
Except he points out that this is in some ways worse, because here you have people doing it to their own children — in the name of love.
Once a group can get you to harm you own loved ones, out of compassion, in a way that affirms their agenda ... what greater indoctrination could there possibly be?
I agree with you that if a child persistently makes such claims, parents should examine the environment for indoctrinating influences, especially at school, and if necessary, place the child in therapy.
Thank you for this informative piece. It was quite long, but I wish it had been longer. I feel as if this was just a 101 course, introduction to the subject. I especially appreciated the overview of the history of the movement, and learning that there are virtually no valid medical studies (and why). Only a few days ago someone asked me how we got to the place we are with transgenderism, and I had no answer. Now I have a bit more to reply with. Thank you.
That’s exactly how I felt after listening to her for the first time. I knew immediately I wanted to ask her a few questions of my own and share her insights. I’m glad you felt the same way. I wish more people understood the actual history instead of accepting the WPATH gaslighting.
If you want to know more, check out the book Detrans by Dr. Az Hakeem (Mia mentioned his work near the end of the interview) or look up the Gender: A Wider Lens podcast hosted by Stella O'Malley and Sasha Ayad. They have a compassionate but scientific approach to helping parents whose kids say they're trans.
Excellent interview. As someone who identified as trans/nonbinary for 5 years (until 2024), I was nodding along with everything. People who just want to be kind and tolerant of difference don't realize how ideological and controlling trans activism is. And the few trans-identified folks who try to buck the conformity are quickly ostracized by the "community."
Men trying to be women make some of the worst mean girls I've ever encountered.
David, thank you for this podcast.
I am 69 and gay.
Around 1980 I started reading psychological literature that pathologized homosexuality. What I found was that much of the literature was in essence a transposition of the discomfort, let's say, that theology/philosophy/psychology had for women. In fact, the literature on homosexuality seemed to largely concentrate on effeminate males as its reference point. (That's me....an effeminate male.)
Speed up to about 4 years ago when I encountered the warm-bath sounding "gender affirming care". Why does gender have to be affirmed? If medical, Wouldn't exploration (which is considered "coversion therapy") be the way to go? Then I heard these things called "gender dysphoria" and "gender non-conforming". I soon realized those things boiled down to sissy boys and tomgirls.........2 groups that as adults grow up to be very often be gay/lesbians.
In 1973, American Psychological Association had dropped the pathologizing of homosexuality. But very clearly, it had come back, but now it's called "gender dysphoria". And if you've read Hannah Barnes' excellent "Time to Think" you will know that some clinicians at Tavistock in London joked about there be no more homosexuals after all the transing was done.
BTW, this is a fantastic article that you should make time to read, or at least, please skim:
https://peaked.substack.com/p/the-ground-zero-of-trans-propaganda
Whoa, thank you. That article is not entirely surprising but it does seem that the deeper one looks into the movement, the uglier things get, without bottom.
Mia Hughes says there's no such thing as a "trans kid" and Jordan Peterson has compared the trans youth movement, in particular gender-affirming surgery for children, to Nazi medical experiments.
Except he points out that this is in some ways worse, because here you have people doing it to their own children — in the name of love.
Once a group can get you to harm you own loved ones, out of compassion, in a way that affirms their agenda ... what greater indoctrination could there possibly be?
I agree with you that if a child persistently makes such claims, parents should examine the environment for indoctrinating influences, especially at school, and if necessary, place the child in therapy.
Re: your last comment, unfortunately most therapists are ideologically captured by trans rhetoric.
Thank you for this informative piece. It was quite long, but I wish it had been longer. I feel as if this was just a 101 course, introduction to the subject. I especially appreciated the overview of the history of the movement, and learning that there are virtually no valid medical studies (and why). Only a few days ago someone asked me how we got to the place we are with transgenderism, and I had no answer. Now I have a bit more to reply with. Thank you.
That’s exactly how I felt after listening to her for the first time. I knew immediately I wanted to ask her a few questions of my own and share her insights. I’m glad you felt the same way. I wish more people understood the actual history instead of accepting the WPATH gaslighting.
If you want to know more, check out the book Detrans by Dr. Az Hakeem (Mia mentioned his work near the end of the interview) or look up the Gender: A Wider Lens podcast hosted by Stella O'Malley and Sasha Ayad. They have a compassionate but scientific approach to helping parents whose kids say they're trans.
Thank you
This was the best thing I’ve listened to on this topic and I thank you very much David for having Mia as your guest.
Excellent interview. As someone who identified as trans/nonbinary for 5 years (until 2024), I was nodding along with everything. People who just want to be kind and tolerant of difference don't realize how ideological and controlling trans activism is. And the few trans-identified folks who try to buck the conformity are quickly ostracized by the "community."
Men trying to be women make some of the worst mean girls I've ever encountered.