Beyond Gender

The War on Norms: Derrick Jensen Traces Anarchism, Queer Theory, and Trans

Beyond Gender

Show Notes

Derrick Jensen is an environmental philosopher and author of over 25 books. In this conversation with Stella and Bret, he traces the intellectual lineage from anarchism through queer theory to trans, explaining how the rejection of all social norms, including those protecting children, found its way into academic theory and beyond.Jensen discusses how his book The Culture of Make Believe predicted the rise of the insane right, but when he tried to write a companion critique of the insane left, his publisher held the manuscript for five years before dropping him entirely for criticizing queer theory.He walks through the founding documents most people have never actually read, including Gayle Rubin's 1984 essay "Thinking Sex" and Michel Foucault's advocacy for abolishing age of consent laws. The conversation also covers Karen Horney's concept of "womb envy," Peggy Reeves Sanday's cross-cultural research on sexual violence, and DARVO, the pattern where abusers deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender. Stella and Bret also ask Jensen about his viral "Queer Theory Jeopardy" moment.

More from Beyond Gender

Oct 20, 2026

Bret Alderman is joined by Payton McNabb, who describes how she regained control of her life after suffering brain damage from a male volleyball player who played on the women's team.

Oct 17, 2026

Mia Hughes is joined by Scott Newgent, who experienced homophobia - from her relationship dynamic, to a trans identified therapist and finally a gynecologist who - without testing - told her she was likely intersex. This made Scott feel out of place and led to her undergoing sex altering procedures, which brought severe medical complications. Scott is raising awareness and advocates to stop gender-affirming care, particularly for minors, which is cosmetic, not life-saving or evidence-based, and often leads to the health deterioration that Scott experienced. Scott will be speaking in UK parliament on October 21st to stop the UK’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban, which is vague, could criminalize real help, and is a trojan horse to shut down opposition to gender ideology. Follow Scott 📌 CHAPTERS (00:00) Trailer (01:33) Introduction (03:15) Trigger to Transition (09:32) Texas (11:32) Medical Process & Physical, Psychosocial Effects (27:04) Gender Debate (29:49) Sexuality (31:49) Activism (34:13) LGB And T Split (37:04) Homophobia (44:51) Parliament Bill

Oct 13, 2026

Stella O'Malley is joined by Irish academic Mary Ann Kenny who shares her devastating story, where health professionals abused her vulnerability at every turn after experiencing grief from her husband’s death… From copious amounts of medication, to hospitalisation and threats of a foster home for her children.Mary Ann’s memoir ‘The Episode’CHAPTERS(00:00) Preview(01:23) Introduction(08:11) Pressure For Professional Help(12:59) Sertraline And Akathisia(19:58) Psychiatry Referral And Day Hospital(43:26) Tusla Threat(56:42) Recovery And Writing The Book(01:03:42) No Accountability From Services

Oct 6, 2026

How did transgender identification move out of psychiatry? REPATH Episode 3 traces the de-psychopathologization of gender dysphoria from WPATH's 2010 statement to the 2022 SOC8, and why the 2010s were the tipping point.

Oct 3, 2026

How did activism come to shape the institutions that define gender medicine? REPATH Episode 2 follows the rise of transgender activism and its influence on the field, from 1989 to WPATH's 2010 de-psychopathologization statement.

See all episodes →