U.S. politicians are trying to keep trans kids from getting the medical care they need to transition — and states are banning them from playing on the sports teams that match their gender. So we’re looking at the science here, and asking: are the medical treatments for trans kids dangerous? And do trans folks have an advantage when it comes to sports? We talk to Florence Ashley, Dr. Jack Turban, and Joanna Harper to find out.
UPDATE 5/17/22: A previous version of this episode incorrectly summarized a study from Seattle. We said those who got gender-affirming healthcare "felt better" after getting the treatment. The study actually found that those who got this treatment felt better compared to those who didn't get the treatment. The episode has been updated.
Note: in this episode we discuss suicide and self-harm. Please take care when listening to the show, and here are some resources:
Find our transcript here: https://bit.ly/3tmtFsh
This episode was produced by Meryl Horn, Rasha Aridi, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, and Wendy Zukerman with help from Michelle Dang, Rose Rimler, and Courtney Gilbert. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Nick DelRose. Consulting by Rebecca Kling. Music written by Mr Mu Menage, Leon Trapedera, Robby Bold, and Lucas Ambarga. Thanks to the experts we got in touch with for this episode, including Dr. Arjee Javellana Restar, Dr. Jody Herman, and Dr. Toni D’Orsay. Very special thanks to all the trans kids and their parents we heard from, Crispin Torres, Alex Blumberg, Jack Weinstein, the Zukerman family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Great Dinosaur Smashup
The Abortion Pill: How Dangerous Is It Really?
What the Hell Is at the Edge of Space?
Heartbreak: Why It Feels So Achy Breaky
Tig Notaro Shares Her Favorite Jokes
The Funniest Joke in the World
Wendy Talks About Her Pyromaniac Past — and More [Video]
Hormone Balancing: Should You Try It?
Murder in the Ivory Tower
Cannabis: I Get High With a Little Help From … Science
Intermittent Fasting: Hungry for Facts?
Dreams: What Could They Mean?
Ozempic: Is It Scarier Than We Thought?
Anti-Aging: Can We Be Forever Young?
Get Ready for Our BIGGEST SEASON EVER
Ayahuasca: WTF is up with DMT?
Personality Tests: Who Are You Really?
Caffeine: How Much is Too Much?
MDMA: Can Ecstasy Cure Your Agony?
Pssst!! The Science of Gossip
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Part-Time Genius
Throughline
If Books Could Kill
Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked
Freakonomics Radio