The hottest Gender Issues Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

WPATH, part I: "The dignity of risk and the right to regret"

gender:hacked by Eliza Mondegreen • 1884 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender Issues
  1. Teenagers have the right to make decisions, even if they might regret them later. This is part of growing up and learning about themselves.
  2. Medical decisions, especially about serious treatments like hormone therapy, require careful consideration. They aren't just like normal teenage risks of dating or making silly choices.
  3. Clinicians must take responsibility for their actions and the potential harm they can cause. It's important to really think about the safety and effectiveness of medical interventions for young people.

Rebel Girls

gender:hacked by Eliza Mondegreen • 1190 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Young girls today face new challenges that weren't present in the past, like social media pressures and unrealistic beauty standards. These factors can harm their self-esteem and mental health.
  2. There's a growing concern about the lack of safe spaces for girls and women to express themselves freely. Many fear speaking out due to potential backlash or judgment.
  3. It's important for girls to learn to love their bodies and build confidence. Staying active, making real-life connections, and enjoying their freedom can help them navigate their identities and lives better.

Are White Men a "Lost Generation"? Interview With Author Jacob Savage

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 6578 implied HN points • 17 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Since the mid-2010s, white men have lost significant ground in many media, academic, and creative jobs as diversity and inclusion policies reshaped hiring, leaving them feeling shut out of spaces they once dominated.
  2. That loss has real personal costs: stalled careers, economic hardship, and regret from men who expected fair treatment but found doors closing instead of opportunities opening.
  3. Many men are afraid to tell their stories because of workplace and social risks, which makes honest conversation about these changes rare and could hide wider social tensions with long-term consequences.

The War of the Sexes

Disaffected Newsletter • 2837 implied HN points • 09 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Many straight men feel they cannot be honest with women or even their male friends due to fear of being labeled as sexist. They often feel frustrated with how they're treated in conversations about gender issues.
  2. There's a feeling among some men that modern women have gained advantages in society without being held to the same standards as men. This perceived imbalance creates tension and contributes to men's reluctance to engage with women.
  3. The relationship dynamics between men and women can be unhealthy, with each side sometimes provoking the other negatively. It's important to understand and address these issues for better understanding between the genders.

Shut up about masculinity

Jeff Giesea • 758 implied HN points • 29 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Masculinity is a big topic right now, but we might be focusing on it too much, especially during the election. It makes sense to consider why this obsession exists and if it's helpful.
  2. There are two main views on masculinity: some believe it's being attacked and needs to be defended, while others think it's outdated and needs to be redefined. Both sides have good points, but extremes in either direction can cause problems.
  3. Instead of tearing down masculinity or rejecting it, we should understand and nurture it while allowing people to be themselves. Finding balance and context for masculinity and femininity can lead to healthier discussions.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Beautiful Wives

Magic + Loss • 377 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Melania Trump supports a woman's right to choose regarding abortion in her memoir. She believes women should have control over their own bodies.
  2. Donald Trump, however, plans to support a universal abortion ban if he is elected. He presents himself as a protector of women but implies that this will eliminate the need for abortion.
  3. The differing views between Melania and Donald Trump highlight a conflict in their beliefs about women's rights and autonomy.

The Real Target of Pedophile Hysteria Is Age Gap Relationships

Richard Hanania's Newsletter • 5510 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Moral panics can start with a strong consensus that something is bad, then expand to cover more behaviors. It's important to recognize this pattern in discussions about issues like racism and pedophilia.
  2. Labeling attraction to teens as pedophilia can create stigmas that also affect relationships with older individuals. Understanding age of consent laws and biological attraction is key to navigating these discussions.
  3. The focus on stigmatizing age gap relationships may contribute to societal issues like declining marriage and fertility rates. Instead of judging these relationships, we should consider their potential benefits for family formation.

How the Sall Grover event went in Christchurch NZ, and how the audience that questions gender ideology has changed in three years.

A B’Old Woman • 1458 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Sall Grover's event in Christchurch showed a growing audience that is concerned about gender ideology. People are more aware and ready to take action compared to a similar gathering three years ago.
  2. There has been a noticeable change in attitudes towards gender issues, with attendees at Grover's event feeling frustrated and motivated to fight against gender self-identification practices. The need for clarity and support in women's rights has become a pressing issue.
  3. Different groups are willing to set aside their differences to focus on key goals, like protecting single-sex spaces for women and safeguarding children from harmful gender ideology. There’s a sense of determination to work together for these objectives.

The "Dropping Nonbinary Rates" Paper Is More Ominous Than It Looks

Knowingless • 2660 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Recent surveys suggest that identification as nonbinary among college students is decreasing, contrary to some previous beliefs. This may imply that the initial trend was more of a phase.
  2. Data collected from a large sample shows that while some males are identifying less as nonbinary, there's a surprising increase among young conservative females. This might reflect a deeper divide in how different genders relate to identity.
  3. The high rates of young females identifying as trans men could be concerning, suggesting a possible trend that might not reflect long-term identities. This raises questions about the impact on young individuals and societal dynamics.

This is How Much America Still Hates Women

Culture Study • 28623 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Many people in America still prefer male leaders, even if they are not competent, over qualified women. This shows a deep-rooted bias against women in politics.
  2. There is a troubling belief that women's bodies should be controlled by the state, often with men making those decisions. This reflects a dangerous mindset about women's rights and lives.
  3. Despite feeling defeated, it's important to keep fighting for a better future. Our determination and faith in change can drive progress, even in difficult times.

Health NZ puts the ‘men’ in menstruation.

A B’Old Woman • 759 implied HN points • 31 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Health NZ's new policy claims that menstruation is not just for women, stating that people of all genders can menstruate.
  2. Many people are surprised and upset by this policy, feeling it's confusing and not in line with most people's understanding of gender.
  3. There are concerns about how this affects cultural beliefs, especially in Māori culture, which emphasizes the sacredness of women's experiences.

Maybe This is Why You Shouldn't Have Published the Andrew Huberman Story

Freddie deBoer • 16120 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. The Andrew Huberman story did not include serious allegations like those in the Neil Gaiman story. It focused on infidelity and tardiness instead of misconduct.
  2. The way the Huberman story was presented created misunderstandings, leading many to think it was a MeToo story. The excitement around it suggested serious accusations were involved.
  3. It's important for journalism to clearly differentiate between bad behavior and harmful misconduct. Mixing them can dilute the serious conversation around issues like sexual assault.

Abigail Shrier: How the Gender Fever Finally Broke

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 9626 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. There has been a significant shift in the conversation around gender identity, with actions taken to limit certain medical practices for children. This shows a growing recognition of the complexities involved with gender issues.
  2. Concerns have been raised about how young people, particularly young women, are navigating their identities. There were many urgent appeals for surgeries that might have long-term consequences.
  3. The debate around gender identity has become highly polarized, with some voices being suppressed, especially those that challenge popular narratives. This highlights the tension between free speech and activism in this area.

Why won’t the media use the word misogyny?

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 10569 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Misogyny is often at the heart of smear campaigns against women, but the media rarely calls it out. This avoids addressing the real hatred that fuels these attacks.
  2. Women face intense backlash when they speak out about abuse or challenge powerful figures. Their reputations are often targeted in coordinated efforts to discredit them.
  3. Unlike women, men usually do not face the same level of vilification in the media. This unequal treatment shows that misogyny is a significant factor in how public opinion is shaped.

The End of Youth Gender Transition?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3830 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. The Supreme Court decided that states can limit or ban gender transition treatments for minors. This marks a significant shift in how such medical care is regulated.
  2. The number of young people seeking transition treatments has greatly increased in recent years, with a surprising number of adolescent girls among those seeking help.
  3. The ruling highlights concerns about the lack of solid evidence and ethical practices surrounding these medical interventions for minors.

Open letter to the New Zealand Health Minister.

A B’Old Woman • 479 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender Issues
  1. The open letter to New Zealand's Health Minister highlights worries about the new gender-affirming care guidelines, suggesting they lack solid evidence and consensus.
  2. It questions the credibility of organizations like WPATH and PATHA, pointing out conflicts of interest and potential political pressures affecting health guidelines.
  3. There's a call for greater caution in treating young people who identify as transgender, emphasizing the need for evidence-based practices rather than 'treatment on demand.'

An on-air chinwag about the Sall Grover event in Christchurch NZ; the venue with more backbone than all our councils combined; and fighting back against gender ideology.

A B’Old Woman • 419 implied HN points • 18 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. The Sall Grover event in Christchurch had a positive atmosphere, showing a shift in public opinion against gender ideology compared to three years ago.
  2. Collaboration between different groups is important to effectively challenge gender ideology and its impacts.
  3. Reality Check Radio offers a platform for diverse voices and discussions, highlighting views that mainstream media may overlook.

What do Statistics NZ and Sall Grover - Aussie femina suprema & creator of the Giggle app - have in common?

A B’Old Woman • 819 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Sall Grover created the Giggle app for women, but faced legal issues when a trans woman was removed from it. This highlights ongoing debates about gender and women's spaces.
  2. Stats NZ has changed its census questions from 'sex' to 'gender', raising concerns about the reliability of data. Many feel this could mix up important information about biological females.
  3. There is a call for better representation from gender-critical voices in discussions about gender identity. People want to ensure that women's perspectives are included in these important conversations.

Men and ovarian cancer – the bewildering billboard in New Zealand.

A B’Old Woman • 1298 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender Issues
  1. A billboard for ovarian cancer featuring a young man has caused confusion about who can get this disease. People assumed it was promoting the idea that men can also have ovarian cancer, which led to a public debate.
  2. The health organization's wording may seem ambiguous, as it suggests that 'ovarian cancer can affect anyone'. This phrasing made many question why a man was the focus, when ovarian cancer primarily affects women.
  3. There is a concern that using unclear language regarding women's health issues risks overshadowing women's experiences and identities. The billboard didn’t directly mention women, leading to confusion about the message it was trying to convey.

What Prevents & What Drives Gendered Ideological Polarisation?

The Great Gender Divergence • 2751 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Gender Issues
  1. Men and women tend to think alike in close-knit, interdependent, religious communities where conformity is encouraged.
  2. Economic frustration, social media filter bubbles, and cultural entrepreneurs are driving gendered ideological polarisation in economically developed and culturally liberal societies.
  3. Shared cultural production and mixed-gender friendships can help suppress the gender divide.

Poker players only!

The Leap • 719 implied HN points • 04 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. The World Series of Poker included a new event where players could win money by knocking out champions. It's a fun twist that adds excitement to the game.
  2. Tom McEvoy, a former poker champion from 1983, was at the table, bringing his experience and reputation to the game.
  3. Events like these help keep poker interesting and attract both new and seasoned players to participate.

EXCLUSIVE: Trump’s Day One Executive Order on ‘Male and Female’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5838 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Trump plans to sign an executive order emphasizing traditional views on gender. He wants to remove policies allowing biological males in women's sports and facilities.
  2. The order aims to end the housing of male prisoners who identify as transwomen in women's prisons. This change is part of his broader push against gender ideology.
  3. The campaign ad contrasting Trump with Kamala Harris proved very effective by highlighting the debate over gender identity. It reinforced Trump's promise to fight against what he calls gender ideology extremism.

New Zealand's first summit of UNSILENCED gender critical speakers now on video.

A B’Old Woman • 719 implied HN points • 28 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. A summit called 'UNSILENCED' was held in New Zealand for gender critical speakers to express their views after being silenced for a long time. This event aimed to showcase concerns about gender ideology.
  2. Various speakers shared personal stories and insights, highlighting the impacts of gender ideology on people, especially women and children. Their testimonies called for greater understanding and caution regarding this issue.
  3. The event received mixed reactions, with some support and considerable criticism. Despite challenges, the speakers emphasized unity among people with differing viewpoints to confront the ideology they oppose.

Is Having A Boyfriend Cringe Now?

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 700 implied HN points • 09 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. Having a boyfriend can seem less appealing in today's culture. It might look like a sign of dependence instead of freedom.
  2. There is a trend where people value independence over relationships. Many prefer to focus on their personal goals.
  3. Social media influences how relationships are viewed. Some people think being single is more interesting than being in a relationship.

Great Liberal Ideas This Week!

Unsafe • 1690 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Government scaring kids with active shooter drills is causing trauma and harm.
  2. Woke Kindergarten in one district led to lower test scores and controversy over curriculum.
  3. A liberal town faced backlash for stocking a book that questioned transgender issues, showing diverse opinions on what should be allowed in libraries.

Have Man-Hating Feminists Gone Too Far?

The Discourse Lounge • 5052 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Some people believe modern feminism blames men for societal problems, which may affect how certain men vote. There seems to be a divide where many men support anti-feminist views, while women tend to support feminist-leaning candidates.
  2. A personal experience in a feminist class revealed that the course didn't promote hate towards men but rather focused on broader social issues like economics and inclusivity. The class provided a more nuanced understanding of feminism that counters online stereotypes.
  3. The negative perceptions of feminism among some young men often come from online content rather than actual feminist theory. Engaging directly with feminist education can help dispel myths and offer a better understanding of gender issues.

So I See I Am Quoted in the "New York Times"...

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 376 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Gender Issues
  1. A prominent economist argued in the 2010s that with very low interest rates governments should spend to put people to work, and that ideas like secular stagnation and functional finance are relevant again; following those ideas could have improved economic outcomes.
  2. Fast, deep thinking and active engagement from a single trusted expert can strengthen public debate and left-of-center policy arguments, and losing such a voice would make collective reasoning weaker.
  3. Personal misconduct is serious and can rightly harm a reputation, but people have varied failure modes and friends have a role in holding them accountable while helping them become better contributors.

Inside Candace Owens plans to dominate women's media

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 3642 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Candace Owens is starting a new women's media brand called Club Candace. It will focus on traditional values and aims to empower young mothers with various content and community support.
  2. Owens believes many women are unhappy with modern feminist ideals and traditional gender roles. She wants to promote a lifestyle centered around motherhood and family.
  3. Despite her pro-motherhood stance, Owens opposes policies like paid maternity leave and universal childcare. This creates a clash as many people support better benefits for working mothers.

Trans activists make women terrified for their safety at the Let Women Speak rally in New Zealand.

A B’Old Woman • 5135 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. At the rally in New Zealand, many women felt scared due to aggressive protests from trans activists. This fear led to organizers feeling they had to abandon the event for safety reasons.
  2. There are strong concerns about how discussions around gender and women's spaces are being handled, especially the rights and safety of women in spaces meant only for them.
  3. Many women and parents are frustrated that their voices and concerns are not being acknowledged by the government or media. They feel they should be able to speak freely about these issues without facing violence or backlash.

The man who was instrumental in whipping up violence against women in NZ, in March 2023, is given a job with a Labour MP.

A B’Old Woman • 899 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. A man who supposedly encouraged violence against women in New Zealand has been hired by a Labour MP. This has raised concerns about the MP's judgment.
  2. Shaneel Lal, who is now working as an executive assistant, has faced backlash for his views and actions regarding women's rights. Many are questioning how someone like him can be in a position to influence policy.
  3. The wider implications of hiring someone with Lal's background could affect women's rights and safety. There is worry that he may push for changes in legislation that could undermine these rights.

Oranga Tamariki NZ (Ministry for Children), and the questions raised on how much gender ideology is embedded there.

A B’Old Woman • 439 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Oranga Tamariki in New Zealand is struggling to track how many children are receiving puberty blockers and other gender-related treatments. This lack of data makes it hard to understand the impact of these treatments.
  2. Many organizations and healthcare providers in New Zealand don't consistently record information about young people using these treatments. This makes it difficult to analyze trends or outcomes.
  3. The conversation highlights a growing concern among some groups about the influence of gender ideology in systems meant to protect children. Many feel it's time to address these issues more openly.

The majority of news influencers are conservative men, study finds

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 4448 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Most news influencers are men, and they often have conservative views. This creates a lopsided perspective in the news people consume online.
  2. Social media algorithms tend to favor sensational and emotionally charged content, which means that conservative voices get more attention. This can shape public opinions unfairly.
  3. TikTok is different from other platforms like Facebook and YouTube, as it has a more balanced gender representation among news influencers and doesn't favor conservative views as much.

Women and girls have lost control of our spaces to men. Not all men will support this, but some will revel in it.

A B’Old Woman • 899 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Gender Issues
  1. Women and girls are losing control over their own spaces, which should be designated for them alone. This is a big concern because it affects their safety and privacy.
  2. Allowing any man who claims to be a woman into women's spaces can lead to potential risks. There’s fear that it could put women and girls in uncomfortable or dangerous situations.
  3. Many people dismiss the concerns about men in women's spaces, but it's important to recognize that no woman or girl should feel unsafe or worried about who might be in those spaces with them.