In a recent episode of Dax Shepard’s podcast, “Armchair Expert,” Jonathan Van Ness delivered an emotionally charged defense of the rights of transgender children. The conversation began on a lighter note, covering various topics until it shifted to a discussion about The New York Times’ political leanings. Van Ness contended that the publication shouldn’t be classified as left-leaning, leading to a debate with Shepard, who argued otherwise, with Van Ness highlighting concerns about the publication sharing anti-trans content.
The discussion delved deeper when Shepard expressed reservations about teenagers transitioning, sparking a conversation about challenging these doubts. Van Ness asserted that questioning such matters shouldn’t immediately label someone an enemy, urging a more constructive dialogue. The podcast hosts then explored the topic of transgender athletes and whether their inclusion posed a threat to cisgender women in sports, with Van Ness, as a non-binary individual, emphasizing the importance of not excluding trans children from participating in sports.
Van Ness clarified that acknowledging transphobic beliefs or ideologies didn’t inherently make someone a transphobe, stressing the need for understanding and growth. As emotions ran high, Van Ness expressed exhaustion from the ongoing fight for the inclusion of young transgender individuals. They lamented the lack of passionate support for children seeking inclusion compared to the fervor surrounding debates on women’s fairness in sports.
Despite the emotionally charged discussion, Shepard and his co-host, Monica Padman, commended Van Ness for their activism and bravery. Van Ness, in turn, acknowledged the challenges of their own gender expression and shared their fear of the daily vitriol faced by transgender individuals. The episode concluded with mutual apologies and a shift in conversation, highlighting the complex and vital discussions surrounding transgender rights in today’s society.