In this episode of Family Matters, Simon sits down with Ani O’Brien to discuss what appears the most difficult question facing most politicians these days – ‘what is a woman?’ This very discussion is, according to one New Zealand MP, something that is both “irresponsible” and “hateful”, so clearly this is an important podcast to listen to!
Ani is a political commentator, women’s rights advocate, and frequent Substack writer. She lays out a blunt answer and definition to the question — a woman is an adult human female. Ani explains the biological basis of sex, why intersex conditions aren’t a “third sex,” and how she says activists have leveraged that topic to blur categories.
Their conversation digs into how trans activism surged after same-sex marriage, with Ani suggesting many activists needed a new topic and means to raise funds. They also discuss the rewriting of LGBT history, and the paradoxical return of rigid gender stereotypes in childhood.
They explore what all this means for law and policy—from violence statistics and police charges to sport, prisons, hospital wards, and health screening—plus the backlash and abuse aimed at those activists decry as “TERFs.” This is a wide ranging and engaging – and most importantly free and fearless – discussion around the apparently vexed question that generations, for millennia, have had no issue answering. Simon and Ani wrap up by urging people to make submissions on the current bill before the New Zealand Parliament, defining “man” and “woman”. Every voice counts. To check out Ani’s Substack, go to https://aniobrien.substack.com/ #familymatters #familyfirstnz
