Gender: A Wider Lens

Materials referenced: Check out Kathleen Stock's book: Material Girls: Why Reality Matters for Feminism

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As therapists working almost exclusively with gender-questioning youth, Sasha and Stella share a little bit about the challenging experience of straddling between understanding the child's experiences and supporting parents who often grapple with goals conflicting with those of the child.  This episode aims to provide valuable insights for parents navigating the complexities of supporting gender-diverse children with the goal of exploring some critical considerations that can sometimes be difficult for parents to embrace. They caution against oversimplified narratives, especially for parents who may have adopted a singular explanation for their child's trans identity, and they stress the importance of broadening perspectives, encouraging parents to consider multiple angles, including family dynamics. While exploring these key ideas, Sasha & Stella underscore the need for a middle ground, where parents provide warmth, connection, and engagement while remaining cautious about external influences, reminding parents that solutions lie in embracing complexity rather than adopting extreme and narrow approaches. 

• Excessive tech restrictions and controlling behavior without warmth can be counterproductive in dealing with ROGD
• Be flexible and open to embracing radical changes in parenting strategies
• Avoid the assumption that sharing extensive medical information about gender dysphoria will necessarily be helpful
• Seek a wider understanding, thoughtfully embrace the possibility it might not be ROGD
• Parents cannot dictate or control the therapeutic decisions made by their child’s therapist
• Seek and pursue a measured and supportive approach, be cautious about rushing or hastily implementing various interventions to “fix” the situation
• Parents need to manage their own distress before attempting to effectively help their child, prioritizing self-care is a must
• Avoid and recognize the unhelpful nature of engaging in confrontations (specifically online) with kids, detransitions, or activists
• Reassess roles and emotions when considering long-term transition strategies, reflecting on the possibility that (in some cases) transitioning may be a viable long-term experience

If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting:

Episode 2 - Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/rapid-onset-gender-dysphoria

Episode 4 - Why Do People Seek a New Identity?

https://gender-a-wider-lens.captivate.fm/episode/why-do-people-seek-a-new-identity 

Episode 44 - Multiple Meanings of Gender Dysphoria: A Conversation with Aaron Terrell

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.widerlenspod.com

In this extra bonus content with Graham Linehan we ask him "how do you talk about gender in your every day life?" To listen to our entire original conversation with Graham, check out episode 144, here on Substack. To watch the episode visit this link on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/uJHyJ15mJ-A?si=pkQYS7rLGuSZNOur

Graham Lanahan, commonly known as Glinner, joins Sasha & Stella for an insightful exploration of comedy, societal shifts, and the personal journey of how a prominent comedy writer landed himself in the thick of identity politics. The episode serves as a testament to the ongoing struggle for open dialogue in the evolving conversation around gender. 

Graham Lanahan, born in Dublin, is the mastermind behind the beloved sitcoms Father Ted, The IT Crowd, Black Boots, and Motherland. His Substack, The Glinner Update, is dedicated to monitoring the extremes of gender identity ideology, and he also co-hosts the highly successful “The Mess We're In” on YouTube, which has garnered a remarkable 1.5 million views in just three years.

In this conversation, Sasha, Stella, and Glinner explore the intersection of his comedic roots, evolving perceptions, and activism in the face of isolation and confrontation. Linehan shares his concerns about the transgender movement and its impact on children. And he reflects on the challenges of using humor in addressing the topic and the complexities of navigating cancel culture. 

Linehan also touches on his foray into online activism during the Gamergate controversy. Initially driven by a desire to protect women from online harassment, Linehan admitted later to realizing the complexities of the situation and the influence of authoritarian voices within woke culture. Things get very personal when he candidly shares about his evolution from staunch anti-abortion beliefs to becoming an advocate, driven by personal experiences. 

His, is a vivacious voice navigating the complexities of modern activism, advocating against misinformation, and speaking up against the prevailing narratives in the gender debates. Linehan's story serves as a fascinating exploration of an artist's evolution in response to the ever-changing landscapes of politics and culture.

The Glinner Update (Substack)

https://grahamlinehan.substack.com/ 

Tough Crowd: How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy

https://www.amazon.com/Tough-Crowd-Made-Career-Comedy-ebook/dp/B0CJ3YLYWF/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1699560605&refinements=p_27%3AGraham+Linehan&s=books&sr=1-1 

The Mess We’re In

https://www.youtube.com/@GrahamLinehan

Magdalen Berns on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@MagdalenBerns 

Order Our Book – When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parents

https://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/ 

Support the Show & Access Exclusive Content

https://www.patreon.com/WiderLensPod

Join the conversation on YouTube

www.youtube.com/@widerlenspod

If you liked this episode, more episodes you might find interesting:

Episode 132 - How To Have Impossible Conversations About Gender with Peter Boghossian

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.widerlenspod.com

Stella and Sarah continue the conversation by discussing how to talk about gender issues “in real life.”

With Sasha on break this week, Stella plays host to fellow Irish woman, Sarah Holmes, an ordinary working mother turned unexpected activist. The story shared in this conversation is one that resonates with the widespread societal shift in interest toward sex and gender.

As the summer of 2020 unfolded, Sarah's life took an unexpected turn when a casual conversation brought to light a seemingly innocuous change in health literature – the disappearance of the word 'woman' from cervical screening materials. Little did Sarah know that this discovery would propel her into the heart of a battle against discrimination, forcing her to confront a societal transformation she never saw coming.

When health literature began replacing 'woman' with 'person with a cervix’, Sarah's investigative journey led her to a realization that went beyond the seemingly innocent linguistic alteration. The issue extended to broader concerns about women's rights, safety, and fairness in various facets of life.

Sarah shares about her awakening to the contradictions embedded in gender ideology. The discussion goes into the Gender Recognition Act, the implications it held for women. They also discuss Sarah’s evolving concerns about the notion of fluid gender identities and the legal implications of obtaining a female birth certificate for a self-identified woman, as well as the alarming impact on children - with gender clinics on the rise and young girls undergoing irreversible medical interventions based on rejecting societal stereotypes. 

Sarah also shares about her experience of being denied entry to the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWC) Annual General Meeting, the aftermath, and the surprising revelations that followed. From courtroom battles to exposing inconsistencies, discover the truth behind the push for unquestioned acceptance. Unmasking lies and manipulation, Sarah exposes the creation of falsified documents, challenges biased interpretations, and sheds light on a broader struggle for women's rights in a climate of growing gender controversies. 

Irish Woman who was Refused Entry to NWC’s Annual Meeting has Lost her Discrimination Case

https://genspect.org/irish-woman-who-was-refused-entry-to-nwcs-annual-meeting-has-lost-her-discrimination-case/ 

RTE’s Liveline Episode - Denied access to National Women's Council of Ireland AGM

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/liveline/programmes/2022/0609/1303884-liveline-thursday-9-june-2022/ 

NWC Statement to RTE’s Liveline programme - Thursday 9th June 2022

https://www.nwci.ie/learn/article/nwc_statement_to_rtes_liveline_programme 

The Irish Times News Articles About the Use of the Word ‘Woman’

HSE Defends Removing References To ‘Women’ In Online Cervical Cancer Information

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/hse-defends-removing-references-to-women-in-online-cervical-cancer-information-1.4357438 

What’s Wrong With The Word ‘Woman’?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.widerlenspod.com

Sasha and Stella join forces for a “Part 2” episode about navigating family dynamics during the holidays for families with trans identified children or young adults. This conversation touches on the complexities of estrangement, handling relationships with trans-identified partners, the delicate balance between intervention and bonding, with a focus on managing emotions, setting boundaries, and fostering open conversations within the family. 

Sasha and Stella carefully remind parents that conflict and distress can be part of the unfolding sense of character and personality development during adolescence. They also emphasize the importance of self-care when coping with holiday stress and giving space to be intense, but most importantly, practicing patience and self-forgiveness for both parents and children holiday pressures become overwhelming.

This is a heartfelt conversation about the challenges parents and families face during the holidays, advocating for allowing authenticity, and finding common ground, whether affirming relatives or conflicting opinions, and discovering strategies to approach these situations with love, understanding, and a sense of unity.

Episode 50 - When Gender Hits the Holidays (Part 1)

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/252e0357-b945-4ce7-819c-524f2cc0d4d3 

https://youtu.be/5kazafDMf2E?si=xq-MVERW0hkYhFRq

Tim Urban’s What's Our Problem?: A Self-Help Book for Societies

https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Our-Problem-Self-Help-Societies-ebook/dp/B0BTJCTR58 

Order Our Book – When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parents

https://whenkidssaytheyretrans.com/ 

Support the Show & Access Exclusive Content

https://www.patreon.com/WiderLensPod

Join the conversation on YouTube

www.youtube.com/@widerlenspod

Please visit www.widerlenspod.com to explore more content, access additional resources, or to join our listener community.

Watch us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@widerlenspod

For more information about Sasha’s & Stella’s parent coaching membership groups:

Sasha Ayad: https://inspiredteentherapy.com/parents-start-here 

Stella O’Malley: http://www.stellaomalley.com/parent-coaching

To learn more about our sponsors, visit:

GETA

Genspect

The conversation with Dr. Jillian Spencer continues with Dr. Spencer talking about what it’s been like to speak out publicly on these issues.

Join Sasha & Stella for their interview with Dr. Jillian Spencer, a child and adolescent psychiatrist from Queensland, Australia. This episode delves into Dr. Spencer's experiences with the gender clinic in her hospital, highlighting the challenges and concerns she faced in encountering adolescents identifying as transgender. The episode explores the complexities of assessing and treating gender dysphoria in young individuals, shedding light on the impact of fast-tracking into gender clinics and the potential psychological consequences. Dr. Spencer shares her journey of trying to raise awareness about the concerns surrounding gender interventions for children and the need for a more comprehensive approach to mental health. 

Jillian Spencer is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who lives in Queensland, Australia. She studied Medicine at Monash University in Melbourne and then subsequently trained in psychiatry. She completed sub-speciality certificates in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. She qualified as a psychiatrist in 2009. She has worked for Queensland Health for 21 years. In mid-April 2023, she was removed from clinical duties due to being considered a danger to trans and gender diverse children. Since her story came out in the media in June, she has sought to raise awareness of the concerns around gender interventions for children.

Sasha & Stella’s conversation with Dr. Spencer touches on the influence of clinicians, the surge in youth attending gender clinics, encounters with dismissive responses from superiors, and the attempt to raise critical questions about safeguarding and ethical considerations in the treatment of gender dysphoria.

This is the emotionally compelling account of the circumstances surrounding Dr. Spencer’s suspension from clinical duties, her experiences raising awareness through presentations, distributing books, and participating in "Let Women Speak" rallies, and the broader implications for healthcare professionals challenging the prevailing narrative on gender dysphoria in children.

Dr. Jillian Spencer speaks at a Let Women Speak rally in 2023 with Kellie-Jay Keen

https://youtu.be/7OcIuLlbIPc?t=1204 

Dr. Spencer’s reference of former GWL guest, Ellie from her 2023 presentation:

Models of Care for Children with Gender Dysphoria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZ-QkBGWlA&t=169s 

Introduction to the Gender Framework

https://genspect.org/introduction-to-the-gender-framework/ 

Genspect’s: The Gender Framework

https://genspect.org/resources/sample-policies/genspect-presents-the-gender-framework/ 

Bigger Picture Conference - Denver

Talks from the #genspectbiggerpicture conference in Denver, CO, 2023. More videos will be added regularly, revisit the link again for more content.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmsMIEB9bK5xwwzCuF5AsjjviLfOxLzBA&si=DX_jQTb4JU_6pDmG 

Order Our Book – When Kids Say They’re Trans: A Guide for Thoughtful Parents

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.widerlenspod.com