Trans Rights and Transphobia in the British Media with Juno Dawson

In this episode, Hannah is joined by Juno Dawson, who is a bestselling author, screenwriter and journalist. Juno discusses trans rights, and also transphobia in the British media. Her and Hannah talk about healthcare for trans youth, and her new book, What's the T?. Finally, Hannah and Juno discuss the evolving nature of language, and how womxn with an x may not be as inclusive as it first seems.

CW: Transphobia and JK Rowling.

Read the episode transcript here!

SHOW NOTES

What we chat about…

  • The changes in Juno's life and society between the publications of This Book is Gay and What's the T?

  • UK politics and political parties and their stances on trans people

  • Transphobia in the British media

  • That JK Rowling essay

  • How marginalised voices are left out of the British media

  • The history of trans people and evolution of language describing gender

  • The state of healthcare for trans people and trans youth in the UK

  • Bell v Tavistock

  • Why people 'detransition'

  • Puberty blockers

  • Is the term 'womxn' not as inclusive as we thought?

  • Should only transgender actors play trans characters? (37:55)

  • Did Juno lose any friends during her transition? (42:50)

  • How to get over the nerves of having gender affirming surgeries like FFS and GRS? [facial feminisation surgery and genital reconstructive surgery] (42:58)

  • Sex and The City

  • How to love yourself when you're years away from transition goals like surgery? (48:15)

  • I fantasize and want to give oral sex to pre-op trans women and receive anal penetration. Am I still heterosexual? (52:05)

USEFUL LINKS

*affiliate links

MORE ABOUT JUNO DAWSON

Juno Dawson is a bestselling novelist, screenwriter, journalist, and a columnist for Attitude Magazine. Her writing has appeared in Glamour, The Pool, Dazed and the Guardian. She has appeared on Pointless Celebrities, BBC Women’s Hour, Front Row, ITV News, Channel 5 News, This Morning and Newsnight.

Juno’s books include the global bestsellers, THIS BOOK IS GAY and CLEAN. She won the 2020 YA Book Prize for MEAT MARKET. She also writes for television and has multiple shows in development both in the UK and US. An occasional actress and model, Juno had a cameo in the BBC’s I MAY DESTROY YOU (2020) and was the face of Jecca Cosmetics Play Pots campaign.

Juno grew up in West Yorkshire, writing imaginary episodes of Doctor Who. She later turned her talent to journalism, interviewing luminaries such as Steps and Atomic Kitten, before writing a weekly serial in a Brighton newspaper.

Juno lives in Brighton. She is a part of the queer cabaret collective known as CLUB SILENCIO. In 2014, Juno became a School Role Model for the charity STONEWALL.

CONNECT WITH US

*affiliate links

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