Trans 101: Everything You Think You Know (But Probably Don't)
Taboo Science
00:00
How Small 'Egg Cracks' Reveal Identity
Riley recounts early signals and pivotal moments that led to coming out and deciding to transition.
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Episode notes
(00:00:00) Introduction: The "born in the wrong body" trope
(00:02:37) Aaron Devor introduction
(00:03:30) Riley Black introduction
(00:04:16) Transgender definition and prevalence
(00:06:12) Why are more young people trans?
(00:08:16) Why are people trans in the first place?
(00:12:14) "Egg cracks"
(00:15:22) BREAK
(00:15:37) Sex, gender, and gender expression
(00:18:09) Hibby Thach introduction
(00:19:57) Gender expression in cis people
(00:21:11) Gender dysphoria
(00:24:35) Medical transition: hormones
(00:25:54) How many have surgery?
(00:28:30) Wrap-up
(00:29:46) Outro
Got a rainbow sticker? Follow trans creators? Have trans friends? Cool. But if you're like most people—even the well-meaning ones—you probably know just enough about trans people to be dangerous. In this episode, we're dismantling the "born in the wrong body" narrative and exploring what being trans actually means. With help from University of Victoria transgender studies chair Dr. Aaron Devor, paleontologist Riley Black, PhD student Hibby Thach, and comedian Charlie James, we're breaking down sex vs. gender vs. gender expression, debunking the "social contagion" myth, and explaining why asking "but have you had The Surgery?" is never okay. Trans people are rarer than redheads, but somehow they're at the center of a political firestorm—so let's actually understand what we're talking about.
More from Aaron Devor:
More from Riley Black:
More from Charlie James:
See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/trans-101-everything-you-think-you-know-but-probably-dont/
Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h
Connect with the show:
(00:02:37) Aaron Devor introduction
(00:03:30) Riley Black introduction
(00:04:16) Transgender definition and prevalence
(00:06:12) Why are more young people trans?
(00:08:16) Why are people trans in the first place?
(00:12:14) "Egg cracks"
(00:15:22) BREAK
(00:15:37) Sex, gender, and gender expression
(00:18:09) Hibby Thach introduction
(00:19:57) Gender expression in cis people
(00:21:11) Gender dysphoria
(00:24:35) Medical transition: hormones
(00:25:54) How many have surgery?
(00:28:30) Wrap-up
(00:29:46) Outro
Got a rainbow sticker? Follow trans creators? Have trans friends? Cool. But if you're like most people—even the well-meaning ones—you probably know just enough about trans people to be dangerous. In this episode, we're dismantling the "born in the wrong body" narrative and exploring what being trans actually means. With help from University of Victoria transgender studies chair Dr. Aaron Devor, paleontologist Riley Black, PhD student Hibby Thach, and comedian Charlie James, we're breaking down sex vs. gender vs. gender expression, debunking the "social contagion" myth, and explaining why asking "but have you had The Surgery?" is never okay. Trans people are rarer than redheads, but somehow they're at the center of a political firestorm—so let's actually understand what we're talking about.
More from Aaron Devor:
More from Riley Black:
- Website
- Order her latest book, The Last Days of the Dinosaurs
- Bluesky
More from Charlie James:
- Website
- Order his book, I’m Just a Little Guy: How to Escape the Horrors and Get Back to Dillydallying
- TikTok
See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/trans-101-everything-you-think-you-know-but-probably-dont/
Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h
Connect with the show:
- Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscience
- Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience
- Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/
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