Revisiting Episode 9: The Politicization of Gender

First released in February 2021, in this episode Sasha and Stella explore how gender became politicized, leading to today’s climate of polarization and taboo.

Episode 9: How Did Gender Become So Political?
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From the origins of feminism to the rise of the LGBT movement, they analyse how each wave shaped public discourse—and how the addition of the “T” transformed everything.

The conversation spans early feminist thought, the controversies within the transgender movement, and the challenges faced by individuals navigating identity amidst social and political pressures. Stella and Sasha highlight key psychological concepts, including shame, political tribalism, and media influence, while raising difficult questions about children, safety, and truth in public health messaging.

Topics discussed include:

• The evolution of feminist movements—from Christine de Pizan to second-wave feminism

• What political lesbianism was really about

• The shift from LGB rights to the transgender movement: timeline and tensions

• Why American politics is so polarised

• The role of emotion, identity, and shame in political affiliations

• How strict control of language and ideology shuts down honest discussion

• The silencing of radical feminists, and why their concerns deserve attention

• Ethical concerns in safeguarding, especially in shelters and with children

• Stella’s own story of gender distress and the value of biological motherhood

• Can dogs be transphobic?

Key insights:

• Historical ignorance is dangerous: we’re doomed to repeat cycles if we don't understand how past ideologies have shaped present tensions.

• Intersectionality deserves more credit, but also complicates alliances and political strategies.

• Rational thought often plays second fiddle to emotion in policymaking, especially when identity and values are involved.

• Shame is a powerful, often unacknowledged force in shaping political identity and behaviour.

• Honest questions become taboo when language is policed and ideological orthodoxy takes precedence over truth-seeking.

• Stella unpacks her own experience of gender distress as a child and how it shaped her identity.

• There’s a psychological cost to politicising care for vulnerable groups—especially children and trauma survivors.

Resources mentioned:

Books:

• The Second Sex – Simone de Beauvoir

• Epitre au Dieu d'Amour – Christine de Pizan

• The Feminine Mystique – Betty Friedan

• The Women’s Room – Marilyn French

• Transgender History – Susan Stryker

• The Man Who Would Be Queen – Michael Bailey

Articles, Media & Links:

• Julie Bindel in The Guardian (2004)

• The Controversy Surrounding The Man Who Would Be Queen

• Tumblr: A Call-Out Post (4thWaveNow)

• Kimberly Nixon case (The Tyee)

• WPATH Standards of Care, v7 (2012)

• WHO ICD-11 on Gender Incongruence (2018)

• DSM & Ray Blanchard

• Ken Zucker controversy (The Cut)

• Michael Bailey academic page

• Suffragette (2015 film)

• Why American politics are so divided (Washington Post)

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– Stella & Sasha