UK-based news podcast for trans and non-binary folks and our allies. Join snarky trans fact-finding team Ashleigh, Flint and Alyx as they dissect the news, interview guests and chat about pop culture.
This week, on a shorter-than-usual episode, Ashleigh and Flint take their collective feet off the accelerator and approach things in a more thoughtful way. But there is still some news talk! Including: CW: This episode contains a discussion around the actions of ICE, in the USA. There's no easy way of going over this. Closer to home, the Council of Europe has voted to ban conversion therapy, despite the best efforts of a certain anti-trans group... In fact that particular group had a double-whammy of deserved disappointment and we'll tell you all about it in Loser's Corner. Followed by a considered conversation about how, in these difficult times, are we to rest. Maybe there's ways of passing time that are in and of themselves radical. From the immortal Terry Pratchett: "It's not worth doing unless someone, somewhere would much rather you weren't doing it." References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep148
05/02/2026 • 60:31
We're back! Happy New Year! On this short & sweet(ish) episode, our exquisite hosts wade into the waters of: A hop across the pond to talk about stories from Texas and the US Supreme Court. International criticism of the upcoming PATHWAYS clinical trial. Bridget Phillipson's statement that trans people "should not be used as a political punchbag" and why that's a bit f**king rich coming from a Labour cabinet minister. AQA educational materials and their, shall we say, problematic way of addressing gender dysphoria. A not-quite Loser's Corner, concerning Sex Matters and the Charity Commission. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep147 Thumbnail photo credit: Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street
19/01/2026 • 63:01
The studio has a visit from the Holly King himself...
25/12/2025 • 08:08
On this svelte-yet-festive episode, hosts Ashleigh and Flint give some details about some surprisingly positive news stories, some that you may have missed and some that you absolutely definitely have heard about, including: An update on the NDAA bill in the USA. New protections for intersex people in Victoria, Australia. The Girlguides and the Women's Institute both saying they'd bar trans women, only for a lot of their members to rebel against it. A quick update from the EHRC now that Falkner has finally, finally left. A triple-threat Loser's Corner, including a particular Scottish nurse... And a visit from Father Transmasc, for a decidedly festive section about the nice list, and the naughty list! References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep146 Thumbail photo credit: Chatham House
15/12/2025 • 79:30
On this episode, Ashleigh, Flint and Alyx explore the finer details of: Details allegedly 'leaked' from the Civil Service to the Times about the upcoming guidance from the EHRC. It's safe to say that we have one or two concerns about it. The PATHWAYS trial, what it is, what it'll involve and what that stupid backronym* is supposed to mean. The Levy review, the much-delayed review into adult trans healthcare, featuring details of an FOI we sent and an interview with Chay from TransActual. Plus our regular segments of Pond Hoppin', Loser's Corner and Trans Joy! References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep145 *a real term, I promise I didn't make that up.
05/12/2025 • 107:41
On this episode, Alyx, Flint & Ashleigh go over: The EHRC wanting to get out in front of any statements made by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) with mixed success. Some social science, of the LGB Alliance. An NHS ICB threatening to close a group of GP's surgeries for continuing to support trans young people, in line with existing legislation. Lib Dem returning officers don't get off lightly after an encounter with the FAP committee. Stop sniggering! Yes you read that correctly! And for our meat, we find out what Your Party's Trans Liberation Group had to say about Alyx's recent article calling Your Party a waste of time... References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep144
19/11/2025 • 145:56
This week, on another packed episode, Ashleigh, Alyx and Flint rake over the coals about: Esther Ghey, mother of Brianna Ghey, has launched a campaign called Phone-Free Education and the team consider its implications. Multiple organisations have submitted evidence to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights institutions showing that the EHRC is, to put it lightly, not really fulfilling its stated role. A symphony of statistics from two new GLP-instigated YouGov polls. Labour backbenchers warn of "chaos" if the EHRC's guidance is implemented as is, but not for the reasons you might be expecting. Before moving on to the meat of the episode, which we've developed alongside https://www.wearequeeraf.com/ and Claire Prosho (https://linktr.ee/CTransTalks). This final part in our series about the UK's Gender Clinic system looks at potential future outcomes, including: The upcoming -although much delayed- Levy Review. Suggested ways for the GIC's to deal with their extreme backlog of patients. The numerous failures of the "specialist clinic" model as it stands. A lack of consistent data standards across the clinics and why this presents a problem. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep143 Action Alley: Widnes Bridge Walk: Walk in solidarity for Transgender Awareness Week If you've been affected by the Virgin active ban on trans people in bathrooms and changing rooms, as either a member or a staffer, then the Good Law Project would like to hear from you: Post by @goodlawproject.bsky.social TransActual's MP emailing tool: Scrap the Bathroom Ban - Action Network Amnesty's emailing tool to ask the government to remain in the European Convention on Human Rights: Defend our Human Rights – Tell Your MP to Back the ECHR
03/11/2025 • 104:19
This week, before jumping into our main event, our Flintless duo of Ashleigh and Alyx take in the scenery of: Two new things from our immortal archenemies, the EHRC. A trans woman sent to a men's prison, but sadly we're talking about the UK this time. Bashing Back in Brighton. Before moving on to the meat of the episode, which we've developed alongside https://www.wearequeeraf.com/ and Claire Prosho (https://linktr.ee/CTransTalks) to bring you some more information from inside the UK's gender identity clinic system, including: Last time we spoke of first appointments, but we look at how waiting for a second appointment can be almost as tortuous as the first and the length of the treatment pathway itself can take several years of a person's life, just to receive appropriate treatment. How the 18-25 year olds in the system are now hanging in the balance, depending on what the Levy Review's conclusions are and how they are put into practise. Data standards and how different models of data collection can make collation and looking for trends all the more difficult. Soon you, too, will be able to access all of this data. Would you like more information about this? Then please listen to the episode. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep142
20/10/2025 • 76:56
On this deep-dive episode, the first in a three-part series, the team take a brief look at the news, including: A proposed "Brit Card" digital ID system and the troubling implications for trans people. Excellent news from Estonia, which has revolutionised its medical and gender recognition system overnight. SEGM gets rekt by Gordon Guyatt (that's him in the thumbnail!) Before moving on to the meat of the episode, which we've developed alongside https://www.wearequeeraf.com/ and Claire Prosho (https://linktr.ee/CTransTalks) to bring you new information from inside the UK's gender identity clinic system, including: How Wes Streeting used information that was already a year out of date. A look at the astounding, centuries-long waiting list for a first appointment in some areas of the UK. How newer clinics are doing much more with less, compared to the old GIC system. With much more to come in the next two episodes! References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep141
06/10/2025 • 103:20
On this, rather delayed episode (sorry about that), Alyx and Ashleigh go through the details of: Graham Linehan's legal tussles and the mainstream press's reaction to them. Spoiler alert: there was a lot of stuff they left out of their coverage... Physical copies of EHRC consultation responses delivered to equalities minister, which took up ten folders. More fun & games from the Sandie Peggie tribunal. Regular segments Loser's Corner and Pond Hoppin'. An interview with Brittany, a member of TACC, about the work they do and how YOU can pitch in to help them. References:
15/09/2025 • 82:38
We've done something different for this episode! Flint is joined by special guest @jasmeenswildheart (they/she) to tell us about the practice of Queering and ecology. This includes: How cities are more natural than you think, How we can better divest from harmful systems, The myth of Overpopulation and blue chip documentaries, And much more!
26/08/2025 • 145:22
On this democratically-charged episode, Flint and Ashleigh rake over the coals of: A listener's digest of the goings-on in the EHRC, including the now-confirmed new Chairperson, Mary-Ann Stephenson. NHS Fife nurse Sandie Peggie's tribunal and her questionable conduct within it. A roundup of various Trans Pride events attended by the team. Regular segments Action Alley, Pond Hoppin' and Loser's Corner. Alyx reports from a protest outside of Wes Streeting's constituency office, and a broader conversation about some less polite ways of making our voices heard. What's that little cartoon on our thumbnail this week? Handala - Wikipedia References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep137
11/08/2025 • 111:13
On this extended special episode, Ashleigh and Alyx explore: Content warning: Death. An Israeli missile strike on an Iranian prison which killed dozens of innocent trans people who were held there by the regime. Kent County Council's questionable choices in reading material. More Freedom of Information requests to the EHRC show how deep the rot goes (spoiler alert: it goes all the way). The Sullivan report's sequel, which is somehow even less scientific and balanced than the first one. A long look at the Green Party of England & Wales, their problems with transphobic members, what they've tried to do about it and their upcoming election. Featuring an interview with leadership candidate, Zack Polanski. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep135
14/07/2025 • 126:17
On another exciting* episode of What the Trans?! your hosts Ashleigh and Flint take you through all the details of: Pond Hoppin' talks about the Skrmetti case before the US Supreme Court. Spoiler alert: Didn't go well. Good news for trans rights from the European Court of Human Rights, which bodes well for... no particular reason... More findings from TACC about the anti-trans "institutional capture" of the EHRC. One day, we'll get to do a whole-ass episode without talking about the EHRC. But not this time. The inside story from the mass lobby event at the UK Parliament on June 25th, from participants and MP's brought to you by our woman on the spot: Alyx! Zines! What are they, what's the history of them, why they're awesome and why you should make and enjoy them. *listener's definition of "exciting" may differ from the podcast team's definition. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep134
30/06/2025 • 110:27
On this extra-chonky episode, our intrepid hosts Alyx, Flint & Ashleigh go over the details of: A shake-up in the world of boxing, presumably to make their transphobia more efficient. Hilary Cass finds herself on the wrong end of a lawsuit. Our regularly-scheduled programming of Pond Hoppin', Action Alley, Loser's Corner and Trans Joy. In an EHRC-focused episode, the team look at: Who is Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson and why should we be concerned? Some notes on guidance for the EHRC's consultation (open until June 30th!) Falkner faces the Women & Equalities Committee and, spoiler alert, it does not go well for her. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep133
16/06/2025 • 124:40
On this nice svelte episode, Ashleigh and Alyx talk through: The many anti-trans actions taken by the EHRC. Curious goings-on at the PCS Conference. The wizard lady's latest development of her all-consuming hobby. Our regular segments Action Alley, Pond Hoppin', Loser's Corner and the all-important Trans Joy. Compilation of Protests and Actions Against the Supreme Court – What The Trans!? References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep132
02/06/2025 • 67:13
This week, our intrepid threesome (you heard me) of Ashleigh, Flint and Alyx, goes over: Political parties banned from major UK Pride events. A rainbow map of Europe in which the UK is too red for comfort. Our apparently regular update with the transphobe-in-chief at the EHRC. What is functionally a bathroom ban at Warwick University. The regularly-scheduled programming of Loser's Corner and Pond Hoppin'. No meat this week! Enjoy your half an episode off. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep131
22/05/2025 • 74:33
In this densely-packed episode, Ashleigh, Flint and Alyx consider many of the different reactions to the UK supreme court''s recent judgement, including: Updates on the many, many protests taking place all over the UK, with a helpful list compiled by the WTT team. The interim guidance from the EHRC, what's wrong with it and why it's not fit for purpose. Reactions from different UK unions, including the BMA and UNISON. Policy changes from sports bodies, the British Transport Police and Barclays. Conflicting reactions and statements from within the Labour party, the SNP, Greens and others. So many open letters. Our experiences at protests and why it's important to go to them and show the government how unpopular this is. Loser's Corner and Trans Joy, for your amusement. Compilation of Protests and Actions Against the Supreme Court – What The Trans!? References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep130
08/05/2025 • 100:46
This week, on an unsurprisingly hefty episode, our long-suffering hosts talk about: Our usual visit to the U.S. of A, featuring Florida and fencing. A surprisingly sporty segment. Several stories from within the NHS, including a new service specification, new GP guidance and plans for a new detransition pathway. Wes Streeting at a Unison conference. Loser's corner, featuring Elon Musk's skill issue. And of course, the big news from the UK this episode is the recent Supreme Court judgement that did not go well for trans people, featuring an in-depth interview with Jess O'Thomson. Jess O'Thomson's article: UK Supreme Court Rules That Trans Women Aren't Women under the Equality Act 2010 - QueerAF References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep129
21/04/2025 • 107:40
This week on another exciting* episode of What the Trans?! Comrades Alyx, Flint and Ashleigh go over: The Office for Students have fined a university more than half a million pounds in a row over Kathleen Stock. An update to the much-criticised Sullivan report. Catching up with news from the USA. Our regular romp through Loser's Corner. A story about a cute l'il cartoon racoon! For our main segment, an interview with some members of Trans Kids Deserve Better, talking about their recent protests and delivery of cardboard coffins to Wes Streeting's constituency office, which has now been going on for more than 200 days. *your mileage on the use of this term may vary. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep128
10/04/2025 • 81:28
APRIL FOOOOOOLS!!! This week Dan and Owen discuss bad comedians, woke videogames, and have an interview with a supposed ally that went... badly....
01/04/2025 • 13:13
On this extremely chonky episode of What the Trans?! Flint, Ashleigh and Alyx rake over the coals on: A multitude of stories from the USA. The 'Sullivan Review' and why it's not worth the pixels you'll use to read it. Stories from within the NHS, Metropolitan Police and International Olympic Committee. Stories from Hungary, Namibia and Russia. A visit to a double-trouble Loser's Corner An interview with Chay from TransActual. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep127
27/03/2025 • 112:23
In this extremely jurisprudence-heavy episode, Ashleigh, Alyx and Flint go over: An update on the increasingly bleak situation in the USA, as well as aspects of the Trump regime's many defeats in the courtroom. Conversations about Scottish Labour and the UK Liberal Democrats and their two different ways of approaching anti-trans activists. Details of the now-funded puberty blockers clinical trial. A smattering of updates from tribunals and legal cases here in the UK and one extremely focused meat about an Arts Council employment tribunal. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep126
10/03/2025 • 73:20
On this somewhat heavy episode of What the Trans?! Flint, Alyx and Ashleigh talk about: Is anti-trans sentiment on the rise in the UK? One single, solitary poll says yes, but the team are unconvinced. Several difficult stories coming out of the US, with trigger warnings included. The tribunal around NHS Fife nurse Sandie Peggie rumbles on, now vocally supported by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Speaking of Labour, "gender critical" members of the party have performed their signature move and created another splinter group. And an interview with Dee Whitnell, a writer, creator and sex educator. Check out those two articles we mentioned! Did the Cass Review shred the truth? – What The Trans!? Trans Allies Systematically Intimidated Inside Tavistock References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep125/
26/02/2025 • 88:52
On this hopefully-interesting episode of What the Trans?! Flint, Alyx and Ashleigh get into the gory details of: Villain of the year 2024 Wes Streeting continues his hot streak by expressing sympathy for the families involved with the Bayswater group. A Women & Equalities Committee hearing where two scientists exposed the Cass Screwjob as ideologically motivated. A lesson on why you should never trust a single word the Telegraph says. Several surprisingly positive news stories. (I know, right?! We didn't think that was possible either!) Our fortnightly foray into the field of failure, with Loser's Corner. Flint interviews Vera Drew, the creative mind behind movie The People's Joker, which is soon to be released in the UK. Ashleigh's Other Podcast: A life on the progressive side | MS Society Petition: Lift restrictions on prescribing puberty blockers to trans children. - Petitions The Trans Literature Preservation Project: A Practical Guide to Resisting Censorship – The Transfeminine Review References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep124
10/02/2025 • 99:54
On this bumper episode of What the Trans?! Ashleigh, Flint and Alyx go over: The court case around last year's hate crime in Harrow, where a young trans woman was attacked outside a roller diisco. More criticism of the Cass review, this time from the New England Journal of Medicine. Flint talks about a noise demo in support of trans prisoner Zoe Watts A triple-tastic Loser's Corner. Alyx's interview with a cis ally within the NHS, shining a spotlight onto new 'MindEd' guidance and its many "gender critical" problems. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep123
27/01/2025 • 110:43
We're back! On our first episode of 2025, Ashleigh, Alyx and Flint go over: A look at Alasdair Henderson, a lawyer who has defended anti-trans viewpoints several times in the courts. Meta's new guidelines for fact checking (or the lack thereof). The CPS and their new guidelines. Our regular romp to Loser's Corner, featuring Hilary Cass vs. France! A deep dive into the protest actions and people involved with resistance to a Nottingham GP's refusal to provide mandated healthcare. References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep122
13/01/2025 • 105:47
In this special, mostly light-hearted end-of-year retrospective, we look at all that happened in 2024. The good, the bad, the complicated, the profane, the ugly and the yawning chasm of the human soul!! Featuring: Album, film, television show and video game of the year. Worst news story, loser and villain the the year. Best news story, ally and coming-out of the year! Ally, journalist and activist of the year, And many more! Explore our voting numbers (featuring pie charts!) References: https://whatthetrans.com/ep121
02/01/2025 • 76:51
For this New Year's Day episode of What the Trans?! USA, Clementine talks to Evan Urqhart of Assigned Media about the recent Supreme Court case. Assigned Media Evan Urqhart
01/01/2025 • 44:14
On another "fun-packed" episode, Flint, Alyx and Ashleigh talk about: The now-indefinite puberty blockers ban, the moral implications and the actions that have already been taken to protest it. Accusations levelled at the PinkNews leadership of sexual misconduct. A double feature of Loser's corner, and An interview with Reactive Ashley about the recent UK supreme court case involving For Women Scotland.
16/12/2024 • 88:31
