During a tense debate over "trans rights," a non-binary actor had an emotional outburst, shedding tears and expressing frustration over the exclusion of boys from girls' sports.
The incident occurred on actor Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast, where 36-year-old "Queer Eye" star Jonathan Van Ness was invited to discuss his own podcast, "Getting Curious."
The disagreement between Shepard and Van Ness began when they debated whether the New York Times was a left-wing publication. Van Ness argued that the Times was not left-wing because it had questioned the use of sex changes and hormones for children, which he deemed "anti-trans." On the other hand, Shepard contended that the Times had merely posed questions and challenges on the topic.
The conversation then shifted to the topic of teenagers transitioning and the concerns surrounding it. Van Ness expressed discomfort with the idea, questioning how one could be certain that a person would not change their mind. He also raised the issue of suicide, emphasizing the permanence of such an act. However, Van Ness felt that questioning these matters automatically labeled one as an enemy, and he disagreed with this approach.
Van Ness became triggered when Shepard played Devil's advocate, comparing the experience to talking to his own father. He then redirected the discussion to excluding boys from girls' sports, expressing frustration that this topic was being prioritized over more significant issues. Van Ness suggested that an outsized reaction to transgender athletes was often fueled by misinformation and disinformation.
Accusing Shepard of "trans misogyny," Van Ness lamented the inability to discuss his podcast and expressed the difficulty of remaining composed when confronted with opposing views. He clarified that he was not calling Shepard a transphobe but believed that certain thoughts and ideologies could still perpetuate transphobic beliefs without directly labeling someone as transphobic.
Overwhelmed by his emotions, Van Ness burst into tears, describing his exhaustion from constantly fighting for the inclusion of children. He expressed a desire for people to be equally passionate about allowing children to be included and grow up without facing unnecessary barriers.
Van Ness's emotional display prompted an apology from Shepard and his co-host Monica Padman, who assured him that they had not intended to upset him.
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