Quillette Podcast

Managing the Growing Gender-Critical Counterrevolution

10 snips
Oct 4, 2025
Mia Hughes, the Director of Genspect Canada and a psychotherapist, dives into the complexities of gender identity and medicalization. She discusses the shifting landscape of trans activism and the need for a more nuanced approach to gender-related distress. Hughes critiques WPATH's standards and emphasizes the lack of solid evidence supporting adolescent medical transitions. She also highlights the dangers of treating trans identity as a natural phenomenon, which undermines effective psychological care. The conversation navigates through activism, ethics, and the implications for youth.
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INSIGHT

Genspect As A Therapeutic Counterweight

  • Genspect frames a countermovement to rapid medical transition, advocating psychotherapy over hormones and surgery for youth.
  • The group's rise tracks global pushback as countries reassess youth gender-medicalization amid limited evidence.
INSIGHT

De-Psychopathologizing Unleashed Medicalization

  • Mia Hughes argues WPATH's de-psychopathologization made being trans trendy and removed safeguards for youth.
  • She links that shift to a surge in adolescents seeking medical transition amid social contagion and low-quality evidence.
ANECDOTE

Parallel Conferences As Protest

  • Mia Hughes describes Genspect's tactic of holding conferences alongside WPATH to contrast approaches.
  • She frames the parallel meetings as a deliberate, provocative snapshot for future medical historians.
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