Teaser - The Carceral Roots of the Anti-Trans Backlash w/ Lamble (10/26/26)

Lamble, a professor of criminology and queer theory at Birkbeck University of London, discusses their new book "Unsafe," which examines the rise of the anti-trans backlash in Britain. The book argues that this backlash is closely tied to carceral safety politics, where the safety of one group is perceived to depend on the exclusion or punishment of another. Lamble highlights how this ideology has gained traction across the political spectrum, particularly through claims that trans women pose a threat to cis women and children, reshaping public perceptions and fostering hostility towards trans individuals.

Lamble emphasizes the need to rethink safety beyond punitive measures, advocating for a collective approach that addresses the root causes of violence and fear. They draw on their experiences in anti-violence and prisoner solidarity work to illustrate the complexities of safety politics and the challenges of addressing misinformation surrounding trans issues. The discussion reveals how emotional narratives surrounding gender-based violence can become intertwined with anti-trans sentiments, complicating efforts to foster understanding and support for marginalized communities. Ultimately, Lamble calls for a vision of safety that is inclusive and compassionate, moving away from punitive frameworks that fail to protect those most in need.

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Beatrice speaks with Lamble about how narratives around “safety” and carceral punishment were used to bolster the anti-trans “gender critical” movement in Britain and why challenging the notion of safety as dependent on carceral responses requires us to reject a politics of disposability.

Runtime 1:13:43

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