Society is divided over how to conceptualize “human rights,” particularly when it comes to transgender medicalization and school policies. Political scientist Leor Sapir is uniquely qualified to help us understand how we got here. He explains how the laudable legacy of the civil rights movement shaped Americans’ vulnerability to deceptive narratives about “social justice;” how the Office of Civil Rights’ attempts to address bullying in schools led to the erosion of Title IX protections for girls; and how the American Civil Liberties Union turned against its own mission. This comprehensive deep-dive then shifts from politics to philosophy and psychology. Leor and I explore matters such as virtues and values, rights and responsibilities, hubris and corruption, good and evil, the sexual revolution, and moral instincts. We also do a Q&A, presenting Leor with some of our Twitter followers’ questions. Leor Sapir is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute. A driven researcher with a Ph.D. in Political Science from Boston College, Dr. Sapir previously completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Program on Constitutional Government at Harvard University. His academic work, including his dissertation on the Obama Administration’s Title IX regulations, has investigated how America’s political culture and constitutional government shape public policy on matters of civil rights.Similarly, at the Manhattan Institute, Dr. Sapir applies his knowledge of political theory and American government to policy issues, honing in particularly on issues of gender identity and transgenderism. His inaugural essay in the Winter 2022 issue of City Journal explores a series of recent court rulings surrounding transgenderism, demonstrating how bad ideas translate from fringe academic theory into law and policy. Previous web pieces for City Journal have explored evolving athletic guidelines and media coverage surrounding transgender issues. He discussed these pieces in a recent episode of City Journal’s 10 Blocks podcast.You can follow Leor on Twitter @leorsapir.Resources mentioned in the show:Leor recommended Rights Talk: The Impoverishment of Political Discourse, by Mary Ann Glendon I recommended The Case Against the Sexual Revolution: A New Guide to Sex in the 21st Century, by Louise Perry. We also mentioned my conversation with Robin Atkins, Two Therapists Debate Abortion (episode 27), as well as the episode I did with Oliver Davies, Healing Through Detransition (episode 22). I alluded to my conversation with Matt Osborne, but this has yet to come out; it will be released as a future episode. During the Q&A, I recommended listeners follow these Twitter accounts:@couragehabit - Alvin Lui, president of Courage is a Habit, will be a guest on a future episode of this podcast.@buttonslives - Christina Buttons@SEGM_ebm - Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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