DisElectAbility: Deep Diving Into Transphobia in the United Kingdom with Ashleigh Talbot from What The Trans?!

SynopsisIn this powerful episode of DisElectAbility, host Aar Jae Williams is joined by Ashleigh Talbot, co-founder of the independent trans news podcast What The Trans?!. Together, they explore the current political, social, and media landscape affecting the UK’s trans and disabled communities. The conversation spans the deeply controversial Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v. Scottish Ministers, the impact of the Sullivan and Cass reviews on trans healthcare, the role of right-wing US influence in shaping UK policy, and the devastating proposed cuts to disability benefits like PIP under the Labour government.Ashleigh, a wheelchair user and MS patient, brings a razor-sharp critique of media transphobia, the NHS’s failures in supporting marginalised identities, and the performative neutrality of mainstream journalism. The episode also features a heartfelt voice note from trans activist Bex Foulsham responding to the Supreme Court ruling, emphasizing the psychological toll and erosion of legal protections for trans people in the UK.From media myths to grassroots resistance, this is a call to action: resist, organize, support one another, and push back against a growing wave of ableism and transphobia.Key ThemesTransphobia in State and Media: Media’s complicity in pushing gender-critical ideology and exclusionary narratives.Healthcare Access & Censorship: The Cass and Sullivan reviews as state-sanctioned mechanisms to restrict care.Disability Rights & Welfare Cuts: Harsh critiques of Labour’s and Tory policies on PIP, universal credit, and NHS reforms.Intersectionality: Being trans, disabled, neurodivergent – how multiple identities face compounded marginalisation.Activism & Mutual Aid: Highlighting protests by Crips Against Cuts and DPAC; the importance of mutual care networks.Guests:Ashleigh Talbot – Co-founder of What The Trans?!, journalist, activist, disabled trans woman living with MS.Bex Foulsham - non-binary trans woman who is a member of the Liberal Democrats and campaignerEMAIL: [email protected] ASHLEIGH ON BLUESKY: https://bsky.app/profile/ashleigh.whatthetrans.comFIND MORE ABOUT WHAT THE TRANS?!: https://whatthetrans.com/SIGN PETITION ON THE SUPREME COURT RULING: https://www.change.org/p/overturn-the-uk-s-new-legal-definition-of-a-woman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.