Let’s go swimming in the waters of controversial belief.
Before we start, let’s don protective equipment. While I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the current post represents my views and not those related to the Albert Ellis Institute. That stated; I will reference REBT principles within the current written submission.
Regarding a short biography requested of me by a previous employer, I stated, “When not engaged with therapeutic endeavors, I enjoy examining legal cases, listening to music, and watching movies.” Much of my blog content supports this assertion.
As I maintain an interest in the law, I’ve devoted some attention to a case having taken place here in Austin, Texas. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble “is a judge of the Texas 459th District Court” and presided over the Alex Jones defamation case.
While I have no interest in discussing Jones or the sociopolitical matters linked to his case, I would like to explore something the judge stated during the proceedings. Before I proceed further, I will use the Eminem Method and identify potential criticisms to what I’m about to say.
Per her website, Judge Guerra Gamble is identified as “a Latina and as the child of an immigrant” who is “fully aware that discrimination based on race and gender still take a toll on community and progress.” As well, she is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Unless I’m mistaken, Judge Guerra Gamble is a woman of color and the daughter of an immigrant, and who potentially has progressive leanings. This gives her at least three points on the progressive stack:
I’m a multiracial disabled United States (U.S.) military veteran with prior service in a hostile fire/imminent danger zone, as I have at least two points in the stack, qualifying me for a spot on in the Oppression Olympics competition, properly framed in the “pyramid of victimization.”
Noteworthy, I’ve not expressed my sexual orientation or preference herein. It is my business, not the concern of others. Nor is it something I desire to obnoxiously flaunt in the face of the world.
Nonetheless, if one claims I “ain’t black,” because I neglect to toe sociopolitical lines or I have so-called “white passing privilege,” the person has me mistaken for someone on whom that sort of shaming works.
“You never can use that over my head. He’s using the wrong stick. I don’t feel that stick.” – el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz (minute 15:04)
Since I’ve been reliably informed, “Publicly endorsing — or amplifying — another person’s contribution, while giving attribution to that person, enhances the status of both parties,” the current blog entry serves as amplification of a supposedly marginalized person’s voice from a so-called marginalized individual.
Though some may claim that since I’m supposedly not a member of an alleged oppressed group, I have no right to speak about content contained herein. This isn’t factual from an enumerated vs. unenumerated powers perspective or positive vs. negative rights standpoint.
I write this blog entry using protection of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
One may declare a privilege not to be offended, though this is not a demand to which others are bound. Potential criticism about my supposed inability to challenge another person’s so-called “lived experience,” felt truth or personal truth, or beliefs is invalid.
Bayesian reasoning—updating the probability of one’s hypothesis when additional evidence and information is received—becomes difficult when lived experience, felt truth, and personal truth are at hand.
If these matters are considered as evidentially sound and one changes a perspective, the new understanding may be based on a flawed belief system. This sounds like a delusion, though some may disagree.
In the method of 8 Mile, I offer to my critics, “Here, tell these people something they don’t know about me,” though an ad hominem attack will not render one’s flawed perspective valid or sound. Say about me what you will.
Furthermore, in this blog entry, I won’t go the Helen Lovejoy route, because the “think of the children” call to action is of the low hanging fruit variety. In many ways, it’s self-evident not to harm children—even though the subjective definition of what does and doesn’t constitute harm continually shifts.
Now, I’ll address the judge’s disputation of irrational beliefs.
Judge Guerra Gamble stated to Jones, “You believe everything you say is true but it isn’t. Your beliefs do not make something true. That is…that is what we’re doing here. Just because you claim to think something is true does not make it true. It does not protect you. It is not allowed.”
While a number of corporate, legacy, mainstream, and social media sources have chosen to focus on the judge reprimanding of Jones, I invite you to reread the judge’s quote—as it pertains to belief and truth.
Think about the declarations, “Your beliefs do not make something true,” and, “Just because you claim to think something is true does not make it true,” as not only a matter of law though as a matter of pragmatism—how to clarify ideas and determine what is or is not.
Since I’m delving into philosophical consideration, let us also reflect upon David Hume’s is-ought problem—said to occur “when one makes claims about what ought to be that are based solely on statements about what is.”
Simply because one believes something ought to be a certain way doesn’t make the belief a true statement, because what is simply is. In my opinion, Judge Guerra Gamble highlighted this maxim quite effectively—even if I have reservations about the case verdict and free speech.
How far into these murky waters of contention is one willing to wade? The obvious comparison to draw when contemplating Judge Guerra Gamble’s assertions relates to identity—in particular what it means to feel or believe as though one is not of the sex or gender assigned, perceived, or otherwise.
While some suggest transracial and transgender (“trans”) issues “shouldn’t” be compared, others are willing to explore the similarities of these matters. If one believes one is of another gender than what others perceive, can another person also identify as maintaining racial characteristics contrary to what evidence may suggest—all on the grounds of believing it to be true?
Can the empirical evidentiary standard apply when scientific data are influenced by ideological entities and activism? Could these influences corrupt knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in favor of what a hive-like mob demands?
Let me see if I can navigate this underwater minefield of a topic. Rather than exploring matters of transracial, trans-species, transhumanism, transdisabled, or other “trans spectrum” identities, I will wade in the transgender pool for now.
Per one progressive source, “Everyone has a gender identity—a feeling or sense of being male, female or somewhere in between. Sometimes people’s gender identity matches their bodies, and sometimes it does not.”
I disagree with this premise. In order to better understand my contention, one may first need to know what a syllogism is. Per one source, “In logic, a syllogism is a form of deductive reasoning that consists of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
An example of this is:
All humans are mammals (major premise).
I’m a human (minor premise).
Therefore, I’m a mammal (conclusion).
For the current written submission, I’ll set up similar examples in a premise 1, premise 2, and conclusion format. As well, I’ll focus on my sex or gender for a number of the following reference points. My primary disagreement with the aforementioned progressive source is thus:
Premise 1: Every human has a gender identity—a feeling, sense, or belief of being male, female or somewhere in between.
Premise 2: I don’t feel, sense, or believe I’m associated with a particular sex or gender—largely because there’s no universal feeling, sensation, or belief in which all males or men share.
Conclusion: I am not human.
I could survey 1,000 different men from across the globe and receive varying answers as to what they think it feels like to be a man or what they believe being a man is. For instance, one 2018 nationwide survey that included “1,615 adults who identify as men” yielded differing results to limited definitional questions related to what it means to be a man.
In a separate thousand-person survey, also with narrow categories related to the meaning of manhood, mixed results were received. There seems not to be definitive answers as to what it means to be a man. This harkens back to a classical antiquity tale.
Per one source, “When Plato gave Socrates’s definition of man as ‘featherless bipeds’ and was much praised for the definition, Diogenes plucked a chicken and brought it into Plato’s Academy, saying, ‘Behold! I’ve brought you a man.’ After this incident, ‘with broad flat nails’ was added to Plato’s definition.”
Defining what gender is or isn’t can be a hazardous affair when swimming in the deep portion of controversial waters.
In April 2022, a man was apprehended for allegedly “making threats against Merriam-Webster, Inc.,” purportedly stating, “It is absolutely sickening that Merriam-Webster now tells blatant lies and promotes anti-science propaganda. There is no such thing as ‘gender identity.’ The imbecile who wrote this entry should be hunted down and shot.”
Reader, I ask you, what do you know about the difference between sex and gender? Is there any meaningful difference? If so, by what standard do you draw your conclusion? Is your understanding predicated on belief, evidence, or otherwise?
At this point, it may be useful to draw a distinction between thoughts and beliefs. Per one source, a thought is essentially an observation or the product of thinking, and while a belief is also a form of thought, “a belief is a thought that is really rigidly and strongly held.”
Another source states, “To believe is to hold true something for which we don’t have any proof. If there is any evidence of the truth of something, we won’t say that we believe, but that we know.” I agree with this characterization, though people subscribing to a post-truth perspective may not.
A separate source claims of belief, “It is most important to know that it is not your thinking that creates your circumstances, but the emotion and core belief that is attached to your thoughts that influence the outcome of your situations.” This is essentially the premise of REBT.
Also worthy of elucidation is what distinction there is between feeling and sense, as I highlight how feelings, senses, and beliefs do not constitute truth. I understand others may disagree with my assertion.
I don’t know what it is to feel like a male or a man. When I consider feelings, I mean one of two things. One, feelings are emotions (i.e., joy, fear, anger, sorrow, disgust, etc.). Two, feelings are bodily sensations (e.g., “I feel tightness in my chest.”).
While I understand “feel” in common parlance can relate to opinions, inclinations, and understanding, these matters still do not adequately represent what it means to feel like a man or male. As far as I can tell, there simply is no global feeling or sensation of maleness.
I’m reminded of something I heard a former Central Intelligence Agency operative recently say. The reason this is relevant, coming from a former spy, is because he expressed how feelings are easily manipulated to deceive a person.
The individual declared, “Feeling is a predictable character trait of all human beings,” “It’s a cognitive trait,” “What all people feel becomes their point of view on what reality is,” and, “Feelings are not the same thing as logical, rational thought. They’re two different sides of the brain” (beginning at minute 1:18:43).
Aside from feeling and bodily sensations, when I speak of sense, I can also refer to perception or awareness. Even using this term doesn’t adequately describe an objective measure of what being a man or male is.
Therefore, default to the scientific definition that has nothing to do with feeling, sense, or belief. Even still, some will disagree with this assertion. As the current blog entry largely relates to belief, let us backstroke into the waters of controversy.
Given clarification about what a belief is, what do you believe about the difference between sex and gender, versus what you know about these identity elements?
One scholarly source asserts, “[I]t is generally understood that ‘sex’ represents biological differences between men and women, whereas ‘gender’ represents ‘the behavioral, cultural, psychological, and social characteristics associated with masculinity and femininity.”
Per a Wikipedia source, at the time this blog entry is posted, “A man is an adult male human.” To simplify this, think of the matter this way. One says there’s a male giraffe, lion, penguin, etc. One doesn’t say there’s a man dog, chimpanzee, zebra, etc.
However, information on Wikipedia is allegedly subject to sociopolitical influence, so who knows if the definition of man or male will change tomorrow? Noteworthy, Merriam-Webster has also been accused of similar practices.
Nonetheless, sex is largely regarded as male or female, with the exception of intersex. Gender is considered to be interlinked with sex, though assigned through terminology. Therefore, a minor-aged male is said to be a boy and an adult-aged male is referred to as a man.
When I served in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marines were required to complete a physical fitness test (PFT) that directly impacted our promotions. Because we weren’t treated equally, females had equitable standards.
Per official USMC guidance at the time, “The PFT consists of three events: male Marines will perform dead-hang pull-ups, abdominal crunches, and a 3.0 mile run; and female Marines will complete the flexed-arm hang, abdominal crunches, and a 3.0 mile run.”
For a perfect PFT score, males had to complete 20 pull-ups, 100 crunches, and an 18-minute 3-mile run. The minimum standard was 3 pull-ups, 40 crunches, and a 33-minute run.
For a perfect PFT score, females had to complete a 70-second flexed-arm hang, 100 crunches, and a 21-minute 3-mile run. The minimum standard was a 15-second flexed-arm hang, 40 crunches, and a 36-minute run.
As well, body fat maximum limit standards were based on sex (18% for males, 26% for females). Simply because a person may feel or believe thing A doesn’t mean the world at large, or the USMC, ought to concur.
Setting aside the obvious problem with equity—“the state must treat individuals unequally in order to enforce equality of outcome”—four arguably reasonable questions arise.
First, if one believes oneself to be a different sex than what one is, and biological classification is merely a matter of belief, what is the purpose or benefit of sex categories in the first place? Second, ought others to concur that one’s newly-adopted belief is real?
Third, if you do not concur that my believed sex or gender is real; does this constitute an attempt by you to erase my existence? Last, if sex is akin to female and gender is akin to woman, what is a woman? I suppose I have more questions than answers.
In the documentary What Is a Woman?, many so-called professionals and/or experts claim they are unable to objectively define what a woman is. Largely, the accepted premise by some of these people is that a woman is whatever one believes a woman is.
How does this function from a sex-based perspective?
Premise 1: No one can disaffirm the biological sex you claim to be.
Premise 2: You were born as a biological male and now believe you are a female.
Conclusion: You are a female.
Remember the words of Judge Guerra Gamble who declared, “Your beliefs do not make something true, and, “Just because you claim to think something is true does not make it true.”
Perhaps the biological, scientific, and objective standard is a bit difficult for some to accept. What about those who believe they are of a different subjectively-assigned gender?
Premise 1: You can be whatever socially-constructed gender you choose to be.
Premise 2: You choose to identify as a mermaid.
Conclusion: You are a mermaid.
Isn’t this going just swimmingly?
Much of this knowledge was well-understood up until relatively five minutes ago. During her confirmation hearing for Supreme Court of the U.S. (SCOTUS), Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked to define what a woman is and her response was, “I can’t,” because, “I’m not a biologist.”
Keep in mind that “girl” and “woman” are genders most often associated with the female sex. Sex classification may be deferred to scientists, though a confirmed SCOTUS Justice cannot remark about gender?
This is an individual who in the future will likely rule on cases such as “a woman’s right to an abortion,” “trans athletes’ participation” in sports, or other such perceivable sex- or gender-influenced cases similar to those of the past. In the absence of a biology degree, is one to rely on belief?
I value the “search for truth,” not diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility (DEIA). I acknowledge what is, not what I or others think ought to be.
It very well may be that alleged DEIA-inspired hiring practices are popular among some U.S. citizens. Are you a fan of treating some people unequally so that others are given special privileges?
President Biden has a pattern of purportedly nominating people based on identity, apparently to include positions to for his running mate, press secretary, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health, U.S. Treasurer, U.S. ambassador, the SCOTUS, and continued support for one sex over another.
What more could one expect from a president who is said to have attained the most ever votes—though reasonable claims of election fortification raise doubts—whose “[s]ixth-quarter approval average of 40% [is the] lowest for an elected president”?
It’s almost as though use of “specious accusations of racial hatred to defame his political opponents” and identity-promoting appointment positions aren’t the actions of a so-called “unifier.” “C’mon, man!”
Who does this supposed tokenism serve? Who does it harm? What difference does it make whether or not a nominee has an innie or an outie, is black or white, is indigenous or not, prefers or is oriented towards one sex/gender or not, or any other arbitrary identifying factor?
I suppose if bigotry is defined as “the possession or expression of strong, unreasonable prejudices or opinions,” focus on one identity over another makes sense. DEIA efforts seem to meet these criteria.
Likewise, if one is prejudiced towards a non-scientific—though socially acceptable—description of what a man is, this, too, makes sense from a bigoted standpoint. Perhaps bigotry in the form of excluding cisgender, straight, white, males is acceptable to some.
Contemplating what a man is may be easier to assess than what feeling, sense, or belief accompanies manhood. It seems to me that trying to verify what being a man feels like leads to unfalsifiability, because whatever I suggest cannot be shown to be false.
Suppose I claim that the color of nothingness is blue. Prove me wrong. Likewise, declaring that every male, boy, or man feels the same, shares equal sensation, or believes similarly is a pointless pursuit to disprove. It can’t be done, as far as I can tell.
My secondary disagreement with the aforementioned progressive source is thus:
Premise 1: Sometimes people’s gender identity matches their bodies, and sometimes it does not.
Premise 2: I have no way of knowing whether or not my personal gender matches my body.
Conclusion: Gender doesn’t exist to me.
Assessing the matter further, I’m reminded of two concepts. Christopher Hitchens, a late author and journalist, is credited with Hitchens’ Razor, which claims “what can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.”
Carl Sagan, a late astrophysicist and author, is credited with the Sagan Standard which states that “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Without evidence of imagined gender—and considering the extraordinary claim that, “It’s not correct that there is such a thing as biological sex”—the waves of controversy may require deep water rescue efforts.
Hitchens’ Razor allows belief-based sex or gender arguments to be summarily dismissed. The Sagan Standard requires extraordinary evidence to once again consider these dismissed arguments.
These are truly treacherous sociopolitical waters, dear reader. The topic of sex and gender—and what it means to feel, sense, or believe one’s own subjective identity—begs the question about the is-ought problem.
Can one demand what ought to be from that which is? Do you get to demand that others adhere to your rigid beliefs so that your “truth” will be validated? Per Judge Guerra Gamble, “Just because you claim to think something is true does not make it true. It does not protect you. It is not allowed.”
That stated, a reasonable question remains; “Deric, are you saying you wouldn’t refer to someone by a preferred gender or the name of their preference?” I take no issue with addressing a human in a certain manner if not compelled to do so.
On the other hand, if I’m required to join with people in their belief systems, and I happen to disagree with aspects of these ideologies, I will stand out among the crowd and profess what others clearly neglect to state. I will not pretend as though one’s clothes are on when clearly they are not.
In my lifetime, I’ve had many nicknames given to me by family members, friends, and others. I know who I am aside from a name, so I don’t behave in a trivial manner by demanding that others refer to me only by my preferred name.
Regarding title-associated identity, one historical figure stands out to me. Known by various names throughout his life—such as Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, Malcolm X, and el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz—the man many know as Malcolm X has a name for each of his major life transitions.
Had I known Brother Malcolm, and if he asked me to refer to him by a particular moniker, I would have acquiesced. Likewise, if I met Blaire White and she asked me to refer to her by her preferred name and pronouns, no problem.
One would hope that neither of these individuals would participate in raiding, doxing, canceling, mobbing, brigading, review-bombing, or some other form of group bullying supposedly aimed at “speaking truth to power,” promoting “social justice,” or being on the “right side of history” if I was accused of deadnaming them. Collectively, this is referred to as “cancel culture.”
The similarity between the two aforementioned examples—because they likely share very little in common otherwise—is that the request by the person and resulting behavior on my part is voluntary. There is no component of unreasonable demandingness or control.
This reminds me of an experience with my second graduate program for a master of science in social work (MSSW) degree—two stories, in particular. First, while working towards a master’s degree between 2012 and 2014, there was a transitioning female-to-male student in attendance whom I shall refer to as Pietro (not his actual name).
Often, people misgendered Pietro. This behavior was met with a shy smile, gracious nod, and sometimes a mild correction by Pietro. He was understanding about the mishaps and didn’t rigidly demand that others should, must, or ought to appease him.
Then, there were students—largely white, female, from wealthy families, privileged, and identifying as feminists—who were offended by proxy on behalf of Pietro. They would berate those who made mistakes when referring to him.
I imagine there was some level of fart-sniffing fulfillment by expressing outrage on behalf of others and using righteous indignation to wield power over people—all while pretending to be a member of a so-called oppressed class, as though womanhood is equal to victimhood and being female is synonymous to having a disability. I don’t know.
Second, there was a student whom I’ll refer to as Eris (not her actual name) who purported to be gender-fluid and demanded that others refer to him according to how it felt at any given moment. This, of course—because why wouldn’t it be the case?—could change within the matter of a day or class period. We simply never knew when Eris would transition.
Other students were expected to stay abreast of Eris’ fluctuating gender identity, though we were informed by xir that, “It’s not my job to educate you,” regarding when Eris may switch their gender. Perhaps Eris entered the classroom believing she was a male, he transitioned to an androgynous gender at some point, and then believed they was a female.
It was our responsibility to somehow know what Eris was, you bigot /S. Whereas Pietro was rational and made a request to be recognized in a particular manner, Eris was irrational and issued a demand for an impossible standard.
How practical do you think Eris’ condition is in comparison to Pietro’s? Yes, I say “condition,” because if the emperor is walking through the streets without any clothing, I’m going to say something.
Dear reader, have you ever thought of what may have occurred in Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes” if people in the crowed not only pretended as though the ruler was clothed, though commanded others to acknowledge the same? Suppose the peasantry issued societal norm changes to suit the emperor’s condition of nudity.
In the field of mental, emotional, behavioral, and social health—collectively: mental health—there is an ongoing push to change norms regarding various conditions, presumably to “fight the stigma” of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, plus) people—colloquially referred to as the “Alphabet Mafia.”
While some people may clutch their pearls at that pejorative term, one wonders what characteristics are shared by a mafia and those promoting cancel culture activities. Aside from the obvious differentiating factor of organized crime, a mafia is said to envelop:
· a collective who “organized themselves and grew so powerful” that they could influence others
· a “peculiar system of private justice, which was regulated by a complicated moral code”
· the “right to avenge wrongs” was bestowed upon the group
· a collective that “joined together in a loose confederation, and they controlled most of the economic activities in their respective localities,” as millions of dollars are donated in the name of LGBTQ+ issues, with shaming of companies who fail to behave as expected is commonplace
As with perhaps most categorizations, the aforementioned comparison couldn’t possibly apply to every LGBTQ+-identifying person or organization, because LGBTQ+ isn’t a monolith. Nonetheless, the LGBTQ+ acronym has a logical problem.
Per one source, “Academic disciplines such as queer theory and queer studies share a general opposition to binarism”—presumed to mean the rejection of masculine, feminine, or sex-based classification. In order to classify as LGB, one presumably accepts binarism, so adding Q to the group defeats the purpose.
Nonetheless, I’m not here to should all over the world, so people can do as they do. What may be worth considering is how a movement supposedly developed to address a stigma could demonstrate the appearance of impropriety.
For now, let us wade away from LGBTQ+ waves and drift into the tumultuous waters of activism.
Addressing stigma is one matter, maintaining evidence-based practices, guarding the efficacy of a peer-review process, and risking offense in lieu of perpetuating social and occupational impairment issues is another matter altogether.
Consider the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)—often referred to as the “bible” of the mental health field—the DSM-V-TR. Concerning changes from the last version, one source states those who created the text revision “took into consideration the impact of experiences such as racism and discrimination.”
Per a separate source, “[F]or the first time ever, the entire DSM text has been reviewed and revised by a Work Group on Ethnoracial Equity and Inclusion to ensure appropriate attention to risk factors such as the experience of racism and discrimination,” and, “The DSM-5-TR [text revision] decenters whiteness by avoiding the use of ‘minority’ and ‘non-White.”
While the first source relates to a seemingly reasonable consideration, the latter reflects sentiment of activism. Where gender is concerned, the American Psychiatric Association—the entity responsible for the DSM—displays the following on its website:
It is one matter to alter psychiatric conditions due to changing evidence. It’s another matter to do so regarding social pressure and activist demandingness. While I’m not particularly skillful at making predictions, I suspect gender dysphoria will be excluded from the DSM in the future.
Academics, researchers, and journalists have all addressed the issue regarding sensitivity related to open discourse concerning the topic of sex and gender—under the umbrella of intersectionality. This ideological movement is said to be “destroying Western society.”
While many members of the “cathedral” seem to value credentialism—appealing to authority by discounting anyone who isn’t a supposed “expert” in a particular field—I’m not certain the shitbricks with which the cathedral is built provide the stability others perceive it to maintain.
For instance, it’s been stated that the peer review process is “broken.” As well, it’s been said that social science has a “replication crisis,” as flawed methods and outcomes purportedly receive more attention than legitimate scientific study.
Additionally, idea laundering—said to be, “Getting a university or media outlet to publish your fiction so it appears less absurd than it is”—was effectively demonstrated by way of the grievance studies affair. Effects of this sort of behavior are likely what led to the London-based Tavistock clinic fiasco.
Per one source a “decision about what level of care is reasonable is made by fellow clinicians and, where the standard has fallen below that benchmark,” allegedly led to reportedly thousands of harmed people who were subject to gender-affirming care at the clinic.
Per a separate source, “Girls who do not like pink ribbons or playing with dolls [were] being treated as transgender” at the clinic. Imagine the standard being set with this sort of action—not solely for children though for adults, as well.
Think about what may result when a university is said to turn down “an application for research on gender reassignment reversal because it was ‘potentially politically incorrect’ and would attract criticism on social media.” Is this science at work, or perhaps activism?
As a biologically male child, I preferred ballet to football. I got along far better with females than males. Rather than climbing trees, playing in the mud, or catching insects, I enjoyed playing in my room with action figures (dolls), organizing toys, and learning about interpersonal relationships.
As I aged, I was exposed to hunting and fishing though preferred neither. Rather, I favored being backstage for a play or other theatrical performance than to learn how mechanical objects worked. Well into my adulthood, I enjoyed many activities and themes often associated with feminine traits.
What inferences might you draw, dear reader? Do you conclude that because of these stereotypically gay elements, I must not be straight? Perhaps you think that because I didn’t behave in a manner similar to other boys, I should have transitioned at a young age.
After all, this is precisely the sort of outcome to which some idea laundering “research” may lead. If I believe I’m a woman, apply makeup, don a wig and a dress, slap my ass, and call myself Judy, do I have the right—or am I entitled—to force others to recognize belief in my own womanhood?
If activist-leaning social scientists say it would be better regarding my mental health for you to placate me, must you do as I demand? Where science is concerned, should what is be impacted by activism of this sort?
A reasonable question arises from such a proposition. Is there peril in politicizing science? Some suggest there isn’t a legitimate concern, largely for DEIA reasons. I maintain a soft rather than hard science degree, so I’ll provide my subjective two-cents take on the matter.
While conducting my MSSW studies, then-Vice President Biden called those who were opposed to the Violence Against Women Act as having been part of a “Neanderthal crowd.” As well, there were efforts to increase the number of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Additionally, a 2012 Title IX governmental review revealed the following:
If sex or gender are simply felt, sensed, or believed, what was the point of devoting funds or enacting policy towards that which is said not to exist in the first place? How might “women in college sports”—per the above graphic—be affected if one’s belief equates to sex or gender?
While studying social work, I was summonsed to speak with one professor for a response I posted to a discussion board. The class was required to watch “Slip of the Tongue” and post a response to the video. I posted the following:
For those who can’t read my response to the social justice class discussion board, I referenced being a male and having a penis more than once. The complaint from (an) unidentified student(s)?
Reading the word “penis” caused “safety” issues. Later, during the MSSW graduate program, the university I attended hosted “The Vagina Monologues.” As far as I’m aware, there were no “safety” issues reported from the student body.
Penis = bad, vagina = good. Wait, suppose I was gender fluid at the time. When I wrote my discussion board response, who is to say I didn’t identify as a woman with a feminine penis? If I believed it to be so, wasn’t that my “truth”?
This is example serves as one of the many problems between hard and soft sciences. Hard science suggests, “Sex refers to the biological differences between males and females.”
Soft science, among other things, seeks “change,” prescribes solutions, and increasingly leans towards activism and advocacy rather than “testing ideas with evidence.” I’ve been told, “You can’t polish a turd,” though that doesn’t stop people from trying.
Where sex and gender are concerned, hard science is descriptive, as it tells what is. Soft science is prescriptive, as it demands what ought to be. This is an is-ought problem and could lead to micromanagement of society.
Science informs me that if I pee directly on an electric fence, I could be shocked or worse. However, science doesn’t tell me not to pee on electric fences.
Likewise, hard science suggests that there is male, female, and intersex categorization. Still, soft science—impacting hard science—advocates, “The idea of 2 sexes is overly simplistic,” and, “Some researchers now say that the definition should be widened.” This is an is-ought problem.
As was stated to me by the aforementioned social justice professor, I was informed that social work students in my program were educated and trained primarily to become activists and secondarily as social workers.
By that standard, admittedly, I’m not a very good social worker. The obvious critique of my attempt to truly understand matters addressed herein is that I’m “using phony science to justify transphobia.”
When making claims of transphobia—“irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against transgender people”—“there’s a lot to unpack here.” First, a phobia is a “persistent, excessive, unrealistic fear of an object, person, animal, activity or situation.” I’m not afraid of trans people.
Second, an aversion is a “settled dislike” of something. I don’t dislike trans people as a collective. While I may dislike some trans people, I also dislike some multiracial people, veterans, people with the last name Hollings, and so on and so forth.
Third, discrimination refers to the “treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit.” This is where the water gets choppy.
Suppose I said that on average, I tend to favor right-handed people. This arbitrary distinction may alienate 13.1% of the U.S. population. Without malice, I express warm regards for fellow righties while largely ignoring lefties.
How might you interpret my behavior? By defining standards, it’s discriminatory action. Are these matters as simple as good, bad, right, wrong, evil, righteous, or otherwise?
It is said of Thomas Sowell:
Discrimination I he defines as “an ability to discern differences in the qualities of people and things, and choosing accordingly”—in other words, “making fact-based distinctions.” Discrimination II he defines as “treating people negatively, based on arbitrary assumptions or aversions concerning individuals of a particular race or sex, for example”—in other words, what most people mean today when they talk of “discrimination.”
I make observation-influenced decisions which are subject to change with the receipt of new information. However, I generally avoid treating people negatively, based on arbitrary assumptions—unless you dance the “Electric Slide.” In that case, kick rocks!
Finally, if one does not prefer to advocate gender-affirming practice, though doesn’t do so from an aversion standpoint—yet as a matter of discernment—is the person guilty of Discrimination II? I don’t know that “transphobia” is the proper term for disinterest in an LGBTQ+ endeavor—particularly of the Q variety.
I’m reminded of a video I watched of Camille Paglia’s presentation at the University of the Arts. Paglia wrote her dissertation on androgyny and reportedly identifies as transgender. This didn’t stop the so-called Alphabet Mafia from stopping her lecture with chants about “transgender” lives.
Apparently, someone whose opinions differ from the group’s beliefs is deemed intolerable, because reasons. Is the entirety of Paglia’s work deemed invalid and her character considered bad for not pacifying the mob?
I suppose similar query could be used in reference to me. For instance, if a clinician within my field of practice chooses to believe I’m a bad person for questioning matters herein, what logic may be at play?
Premise 1: I’m a good person, because I believe in thing A, and people who believe thing B are bad.
Premise 2: Deric believes thing B and questions thing A.
Conclusion: Deric is bad.
The logic follows though “good” and “bad” are subjective terms. If one proposes that questioning the emperor’s choice to parade through the streets without any clothes is “bad,” I respectfully disagree, yet cannot disprove one’s personal moral code relating to what bad is or is not.
Likewise, if a potential client chooses to believe I’m a bad person for not specializing in gender-affirming care, what logic may be at play?
Premise 1: Gender-affirming care is a “medically necessary” practice to which I’m “entitled” in order to help me “feel happy.”
Premise 2: Deric doesn’t practice gender-affirming care.
Conclusion: Deric has deprived me of my entitlement to happiness.
The logic follows though the conclusion is “factually incorrect”—meaning that the assertion of fact is untrue. The imaginary client may have received misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation related to entitled services—which is perceived as factual—though even if this were so, I cannot guarantee an outcome of happiness.
As an REBT psychotherapist, it isn’t my aim to help people feel better, though to assist them in getting better. How might this be accomplished when disputing irrational beliefs while attempting not to drown in controversy?
I assist clients by disputing irrational beliefs and teaching people how to perform this function in their own lives. In this blog entry, I won’t go in-depth about how this is accomplished, though you can learn more about my method by reading Disputing Democracy.
A prime example of disputation, and one that prompted this entry, relates to the challenging of Jones’ belief system by a judge. For a refresher, Judge Guerra Gamble stated to Jones, “You believe everything you say is true but it isn’t. Your beliefs do not make something true,” and, “Just because you claim to think something is true does not make it true.”
Ad hominem attacks, calls for cancellation, allegations of “hate speech,” and other measures do not negate the scientific process that involves questioning assumptions. As well, altering how science functions so that a relatively low percentage of the U.S. population can “feel” good may have unintended consequences.
Installing more like-minded people into STEM, creating an echo chamber, or declaring that gender identity cannot be questioned by others does little more than create confusion and further deprive people from understanding what is versus what some think ought to be.
Suppose I was Eris’ psychotherapist and its presenting problem was that others misgendered they. Though Eris identifies as gender-fluid, he believes she is rainbowcakegener and Eris’ coworker consider this claim to be absurd.
I would invite Eris to consider that xir cannot control the reactions of others, yet can be empowered enough to accept that others are autonomous beings who are allowed to believe in things other than what Eris believes. How might this be received?
It’s been my experience that this approach tends to go over like a wet fart in church for those subscripted to ideologically-driven narratives. If a therapist isn’t fully onboard with gender-affirming care, it could mean the end of a professional career in the mental health field.
Advocacy for belief in this regard has very little to do with tolerance, acceptance, or even support. Rather, I’ve observed fear, cowardice, and placation within my field from more clinicians than I’ve chosen to remember.
I’m reminded of a discussion I had with a psychotherapist about this matter. The individual’s primary concern when working with clients was how not to be involved in a lawsuit. The secondary concern was how not to face the ire of cancel culture.
Assisting a client with an actual problem—whether real or believed—wasn’t the focus. Helping to improve a person’s level of functioning and quality of life wasn’t the primary aim either.
Even if observing that the emperor has nothing on, say nothing. That was the therapist’s main concern.
In 2020, I attended a professional training for a clinical modality that cost around $1,500 for a “basic training” certificate. Evoking penalty rules of baseball, I noted three strikes regarding the training that took two separate seminars and ten clinical hours of post-training supervision to complete.
First strike: Similar to my experience when attending the MSSW program, participants of the training were recommended to embrace critical theory—of the “Marxist tradition.” The evidence-based modality was likely subject to institutional capture by the contagion of intersectionality.
Second strike: One of the main seminar instructors alleged that she was able to use the therapeutic technique on her dog and the modality could be used to treat racism (not in the DSM). Treating imagined conditions and animals is not what I had in mind when paying for the training.
Third strike: During the course of training and supervision, I was informed that treating imagined conditions was precisely what the modality could be used for. Rather than disputing irrational beliefs, I was invited to “go with that” when clients presented to session with fantastical conditions. This not only is unscientific, it seemingly borders on the absurd.
Three strikes and I was out!
Granted, I am an REBT psychotherapist and I can identify a glaringly obvious should statement. It goes something like, “I should not have to treat someone reporting pronouns of ey, em, and eir as though it’s a real thing, or as though the client is a member of a so-called trans-species community, presenting to session as an avian animal.”
I could practice unconditional acceptance—reasoning that I’m a fallible human being, others also have their shortcomings, and life doesn’t owe me a reasonable pool in which to swim, because controversial waters are choppy by nature. How could I argue with this?
Using REBT is precisely why I haven’t self-disturbed into a miserable state regarding the aforementioned training. I simply shrug off the experience as knowledge earned.
Likewise, when people present to sessions and demand that their “extreme, illogical, and rigid” beliefs must be validated, adopted, promoted, or amplified by me, I’m able to use REBT techniques to keep from disturbing myself. This method also helps me to prevent burnout.
Understandably, not everyone will appreciate my approach to REBT. Some people will discover that I, too, value the phrase, “Your beliefs do not make something true,” and they may disturb themselves into a frenzy.
I cannot lose potential clients, because I can’t lose what I never had in the first place. While it is true that I could lose current clients due to not supporting sociopolitical ideologies, doing so provides opportunity for new clients. I accept that.
Of course, I’d be willing to change my mind about whether or not one’s subjective belief regarding the objective world can alter one’s biological sex if valid and reliable future research were to demonstrate otherwise.
Until then, in the words of Judge Guerra Gamble, “Just because you claim to think something is true does not make it true.”
If the turbulent waters of this exploration tossed you to and fro, try to remember it is said, “(Alright, already) And we’ll all float on. Alright, already, we’ll all float on, alright. Don’t worry, even if things end up a bit too heavy we’ll all float on.”
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how irrational beliefs impact your life in an unhelpful way, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
888. (2020, August 20). Joe Biden’s “c’mon man!?” compilation [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/IJWtHBpAbdI
Aguayo-Romero, R., Alizaga, N. M., & Glickman, C. (2016). The dynamics of intersectionality and gender affirmation on HIV risk among transgender IPV survivors. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/pi/aids/resources/exchange/2016/04/gender-affirmation
Ainsworth, C. (2018, October 22). Sex redefined: The idea of 2 sexes is overly simplistic. Scientific American. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-redefined-the-idea-of-2-sexes-is-overly-simplistic1/
Albert Ellis Institute, The. (n.d.). AEI [Official website]. Retrieved from https://albertellis.org/
Albert Ellis Institute, The. (2021). Techniques for disputing irrational beliefs (DIBS). Retrieved from https://albertellis.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Techniques-for-Disputing-Irrational-Beliefs-5.pdf
Allen, K. A., Reardon, J., Crawford, J., & Walsh, L. (2022, July 24). The peer review system is broken. We asked academics how to fix it. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/the-peer-review-system-is-broken-we-asked-academics-how-to-fix-it-187034
Allison, J. (2022, March 24). Critical legal studies. Harvard Law School. Retrieved from https://guides.library.harvard.edu/c.php?g=890571&p=6403206
Amaze Org. (2019, June 6). Puberty and transgender youth [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/f7VyJKVBt7g
American Civil Liberties Union. (n.d.). Timeline of major Supreme Court decisions on women’s rights. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field_document/101917a-wrptimeline_0.pdf
American Enterprise Institute. (2016, June 24). Christina Hoff Sommers and Camille Paglia on the absence of biology in gender studies | Viewpoint [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/O-FpolYd6fc
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Gender dysphoria. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Practice/DSM/DSM-5-TR/APA-DSM5TR-GenderDysphoria.pdf
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Emotional health. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/emotions
Anderson, A. (2019, February 1). The role of activism in social work. Social Justice Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.socialjusticesolutions.org/2019/02/01/role-activism-social-work/
Andrews, P. C. S. (2021, March 10). Social media features: What is brigading? Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. Retrieved from https://institute.global/policy/social-media-futures-what-brigading
Ask Difference. (2019, September 1). Sense vs. feeling. Retrieved from https://www.askdifference.com/sense-vs-feeling/
Associated Press. (2018, September 13). Time nearly up: Fierce hurricane Florence aims at southeast. 980 CJME. Retrieved from https://www.cjme.com/2018/09/13/time-nearly-up-fierce-hurricane-florence-aims-at-southeast/
Atkins, J. (2019, November 21). There’s a lot to unpack here. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=there%27s%20a%20lot%20to%20unpack%20here
Avast. (n.d.). What is doxing and how can you prevent it? Retrieved from https://www.avast.com/c-what-is-doxxing
Baines, D. & Elliott, R. J. R. (2020, April 21). Defining misinformation, disinformation and malinformation: An urgent need for clarity during the COVID-19 infodemic. Research Gate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Darrin-Baines/publication/341130695_Defining_misinformation_disinformation_and_malinformation_An_urgent_need_for_clarity_during_the_COVID-19_infodemic/links/5eb01d1b299bf18b9594b28f/Defining-misinformation-disinformation-and-malinformation-An-urgent-need-for-clarity-during-the-COVID-19-infodemic.pdf
Ball, M. (2021, February 4). The secret history of the shadow campaign that saved the 2020 election. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/5936036/secret-2020-election-campaign/
BallotPedia. (2022). Maya Guerra Gamble. Retrieved from https://ballotpedia.org/Maya_Guerra_Gamble
Barnes, K. (2022, May 15). Lia Thomas controversy surrounds NCAA swimming championships, incites national debate. ESPN. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/33492251/lia-thomas-controversy-surrounds-ncaa-swimming-championships-incites-national-debate
Barrett, S. (n.d.). Legal guide to gender-affirming care. Nolo. Retrieved from https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/legal-guide-to-gender-affirming-care.html
BAVC Media. (2010, April 1). Slip of the tongue [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/MEhYkZeMzLM
Beaupre, C. (n.d.). Happiness - Is there a difference between thoughts and beliefs? SelfGrowth.com. Retrieved from https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/happiness-is-there-a-difference-between-thoughts-and-beliefs
Beckford, M. (2022, August 11). Tavistock transgender clinic could face mass legal action 'from 1,000 families of children who claim they were rushed into taking life-altering puberty blockers' weeks after NHS shut it down in wake of damning report. Daily Mail. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11101661/Tavistock-transgender-clinic-facing-mass-legal-action-1-000-families.html
Berkley. (n.d.). How Wikipedia can influence social action in a big way. University of California. Retrieved from https://americancultures.berkeley.edu/faculty/teaching-resources/wiki-social-action
Big Think. (2013, October 3). Knowing how to change your mind: A three minute guide to Bayesian reasoning. Retrieved from https://bigthink.com/articles/knowing-how-to-change-your-mind-a-three-minute-guide-to-bayesian-reasoning/
Boesveld, S. (2015, June 3). Becoming disabled by choice, not chance: ‘Transabled’ people feel like impostors in their fully working bodies. National Post. Retrieved from https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/becoming-disabled-by-choice-not-chance-transabled-people-feel-like-impostors-in-their-fully-working-bodies
Bohman, J. (2005, March 8). Critical theory. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-theory/
Bosch, T. (2012, January 20). A plague of pearl clutching. Slate. Retrieved from https://slate.com/human-interest/2012/01/pearl-clutching-how-the-phrase-became-a-feminist-blog-cliche.html
Boyle, P. (2022, April 12). What is gender-affirming care? Your questions answered. Association of American Medical Colleges. Retrieved from https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/what-gender-affirming-care-your-questions-answered
Britannica. (n.d.). Mafia. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mafia
Brown, A. (2022, June 7). About 5% of young adults in the U.S. say their gender is different from their sex assigned at birth. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/06/07/about-5-of-young-adults-in-the-u-s-say-their-gender-is-different-from-their-sex-assigned-at-birth/
Brown, M. L. (2020, August 26). Meet the gender transcendent mermaid royalty. Ask Dr. Brown. Retrieved from https://askdrbrown.org/library/meet-gender-transcendent-mermaid-royalty
Buffalmano, L. (n.d.). How to stubbornly refuse to make yourself miserable: Summary & review. The Power Moves. Retrieved from https://thepowermoves.com/how-to-stubbornly-refuse-to-make-yourself-miserable/
Bukay, D. (2020, July 19). Intersectionality, the leftist plague destroying Western society -part1. Modern Diplomacy. Retrieved from https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/07/11/intersectionality-the-leftist-plague-destroying-western-society-part1/
Campus Free Speech Guide. (n.d.). Statement supporting Camille Paglia at the University of the arts. Pen America. Retrieved from https://campusfreespeechguide.pen.org/resource/statement-supporting-camille-paglia-at-the-university-of-the-arts/
Cherry, K. (2022, July 18). What does LGBTQ+ mean? Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-does-lgbtq-mean-5069804
Cherry, K. (2021, July 13). What is rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)? Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-2796000
Christensen, J. (2022, April 21). Gender-affirming care, a ‘crucial’ process for thousands of young people in America. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/21/health/gender-affirming-care/index.html
Clash of Ideas. (2017, October 6). Gender debate gets heated when apologist accuses Jordan Peterson of abuse [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/HzFeyJEqqV4
Clay, E. L. (2022, March 9). Disney’s institutional capture. Quillette. Retrieved from https://quillette.com/2022/03/29/disneys-institutional-capture/
Clements, K. C. (2018, September 18). What does it mean to misgender someone? Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/misgendering
Cline, A. (2021, March 31). Fallacies of relevance: Appeal to authority. ThoughtCo. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/logical-fallacies-appeal-to-authority-250336
Collins, D. & Whitington, R. (2022, May 27). Everything you need to know about gender affirming care. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-gender-affirming-care
Collins Dictionary. (n.d.). Bigotry. Retrieved from https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/bigotry
Cooper, J. (2016, December 7). A call for a language shift: From covert oppression to overt empowerment. University of Connecticut. Retrieved from https://education.uconn.edu/2016/12/07/a-call-for-a-language-shift-from-covert-oppression-to-overt-empowerment/
Coppen, A. (2019). Idea laundering. Devil’s lane. Retrieved from https://glossary.devilslane.com/entries/I/idea_laundering.html
Corporate Finance Institute. (2022, May 8). Social justice. Retrieved from https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/social-justice/
Corradetti, C. (n.d.). The Frankfurt school and critical theory. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://iep.utm.edu/critical-theory-frankfurt-school/
Council of Europe. (n.d.). Sex and gender. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/gender-matters/sex-and-gender
Cuncic, A. (2021, September 22). How can disputation help manage social anxiety? Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-disputation-3024547
Czachor, E. M. (2022, August 4). Texas jury orders Alex Jones to pay parents of Sandy Hook victim more than $4 million in defamation suit. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alex-jones-defamation-trial-sandy-hook-shooting-jury-orders-victim-parents-neil-heslin-scarlett-lewis/
DAP Health. (2016, June 13). Supporting the transgender community. Retrieved from https://www.daphealth.org/supporting-the-transgender-community/
DarkHorse Podcast Clips. (2022, March 29). Biologists define what a woman is (from livestream #120) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/TQzjhxsKcPk
Dembroff, R. & Payton, D. (2020, November 18). Why we shouldn’t compare transracial to transgender identity. Boston Review. Retrieved from https://bostonreview.net/articles/robin-dembroff-dee-payton-breaking-analogy-between-race-and-gender/
Denverkid. (2009, November 29). Fart sniffer. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Fart%20Sniffer
Department of Defense. (n.d.). Military compensation. Retrieved from https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Special-and-Incentive-Pays/HFP_IDP/
Department of the Navy. (2002, May 10). Marine Corps order P6100.12 W/CH 1. Department of Defense. Retrieved from https://www.newriver.marines.mil/Portals/17/Documents/MCO%20P6100.12%20W%20CH%201.pdf
Desuforeverlulz. (2012, March 21). Because reasons. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=because%20reasons
Developaspecialty. (2022, February). The life cycle of a psychotherapeutic modality. Reddit. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/AcademicPsychology/comments/t9n0pv/the_life_cycle_of_a_psychotherapeutic_modality/
Dietrich, E. (2016, June 25). The psychology of truth: Feeling it. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/excellent-beauty/201606/the-psychology-truth-feeling-it
Enriquez, A. (2021, October 25). Q. How does fair use work for book covers, album covers, and movie posters? Penn State. Retrieved from https://psu.libanswers.com/faq/336502
Epstein, J. (2013, September 12). Biden: ‘Neanderthal crowd’ slowed VAWA renewal. Politico. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico44/2013/09/biden-neanderthal-crowd-slowed-vawa-renewal-172549
Expertise Finder. (n.d.). LGBT+ rights. Retrieved from https://network.expertisefinder.com/search-experts?query=lgbt+rights
Feder, J. (2012, December 7). Title IX, sex discrimination, and intercollegiate athletics: A legal overview. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved from https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL31709.pdf
Felman, A. (2020, April 13). What is mental health? Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543
First, M. B., Yousif, L. H., Clarke, D. E., Wang, P. S., Gogtay, N., and Appelbaum, P. S. (2022, May 7). DSM-5-TR: overview of what’s new and what’s changed. World Psychiatry. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wps.20989
Fletcher, J. (2022, May 30). What to know about rational emotive behavioral therapy. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/rational-emotive-behavioural-therapy
Fridman, L. (2022, August 8). Andrew Bustamante: CIA spy | Lex Fridman podcast #310. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/T3FC7qIAGZk
Friedersdorf, C. (2018, January 9). The difference between speaking ‘your truth’ and ‘the truth.’ The Atlantic. retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/01/the-power-and-perils-of-speaking-your-truth/549968/
Garrett, W. (2022, April 1). Marginalized populations. Minnesota Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.mnpsych.org/index.php?option=com_dailyplanetblog&view=entry&category=division%20news&id=71:marginalized-populations
Gatenby, M. (2015, May 27). Explainer: what is credentialism and is a degree more than just a piece of paper? The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-credentialism-and-is-a-degree-more-than-just-a-piece-of-paper-40941
George, T. (n.d.). What is social health? Definitions, examples and tips on improving your social wellness. Health Insurance Fund of Australia Limited. Retrieved from https://blog.hif.com.au/mental-health/what-is-social-health-definitions-examples-and-tips-on-improving-your-social-wellness
Goodwill Community Foundation. (n.d.). What is an echo chamber? Retrieved from https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/digital-media-literacy/what-is-an-echo-chamber/1/
GOP War Room. (2022, March 22). Ketanji Brown Jackson can’t provide definition of the word ‘woman’ [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ZJT7StytPTE
Gould, W. R. (2021, September 9). What is gender fluid? Verywell Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-gender-fluid-5075600
GQ. (2018, October 31). Rarely has there been a more confusing time to be a man. Retrieved from https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/gq-state-of-man
GrassRoots Community Network. (2019, August 8). Applied postmodernism: How “idea laundering” is crippling American universities. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/XeXfV0tAxtE
Graves-Browne, E. (2016, April 18). What it means to be trans species. Vice. Retrieved from https://www.vice.com/en/article/yvwknv/what-does-it-mean-to-be-trans-species
Gray Mirror. (2021, January 20). A brief explanation of the cathedral. Retrieved from https://graymirror.substack.com/p/a-brief-explanation-of-the-cathedral
Guerra Gamble, M. (n.d.). Judge Maya Guerra Gamble [Official website]. Retrieved from https://www.mayaguerragamble.com/
Guerra Gamble, M. (n.d.). Where can I help the most people? Retrieved from https://www.mayaguerragamble.com/about
Guttenberg, B. (2015). Feeling better or getting better. The Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://albertellis.org/2015/01/feeling-better-getting-better/
Hankins, J. (2021). How to be on the right side of history. First Things. Retrieved from https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2021/11/how-to-be-on-the-right-side-of-history
Hans Christian Andersen Centre, The. (n.d.). The emperor’s new clothes. Department for the Study of Culture. Retrieved from https://andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersholt/TheEmperorsNewClothes_e.html
Hard News Cafe, The. (2004, June 11). What’s the gripe between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ sciences? The debate rages on. Utah State University. Retrieved from https://www.usu.edu/today/story/whats-the-gripe-between-hard-and-soft-sciences-the-debate-rages-on
Herbert, J. (2016, November 22). Would gender differences exist if we treated all people the same from birth? The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/would-gender-differences-exist-if-we-treated-all-people-the-same-from-birth-68181
Herbert, J. M., Head-Gordon, M., Hratchian, H. P., Head-Gordon, T., Amaro, R. E., Aspuru-Guzik, A., Hoffmann, R., Parish, C. A., Payne, C. M., & Van Voorhis, T. (2022, August 4). Words matter: On the debate over free speech, inclusivity, and academic excellence. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. Retrieved from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c02242
Hillsdale College. (2021, May 12). Science, the transgender phenomenon, and the young | Abigail Shrier [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/DWbxIFC0Q2o
HipHollywood. (2020, May 22). Joe Biden to Charlamagne: “You ain’t black” if you vote for Trump! YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/We6Qr9-dDn8
Hodge, D. (2019, April 16). Camille Paglia -- student protest (shouting and screaming at 48:00) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/mLsQHQfPYW4
Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern
Hollings, D. (2022, May 28). Desire and disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/desire-and-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2022, July 6). Disturbing democracy. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disturbing-democracy
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2022, March 25). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, July 11). Unconditional acceptance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/unconditional-acceptance
Hookway, C. (2008, August 6). Pragmatism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pragmatism/
Howland, J. (2022, March 1). The divider. City Journal. Retrieved from https://www.city-journal.org/joe-bidens-divisive-rhetoric
Human Rights Campaign, The. (n.d.). Sexual orientation and gender identity definitions. Retrieved from https://www.hrc.org/resources/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions
IMDB. (2022). What is a woman? Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20256528/
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). Validity and soundness. Retrieved from https://iep.utm.edu/val-snd/
Jones, J. M. (2022, July 29). Biden job approval dips to new low. Gallup. Retrieved from https://news.gallup.com/poll/395378/biden-job-approval-dips-new-low.aspx
Karson, M. (2021, July 20). The problem with claims of “lived experience.” Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/feeling-our-way/202107/the-problem-claims-lived-experience
Khan Academy. (2017, December 6). Enumerated and implied powers of the US federal government | Khan Academy [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/eqEw_9_sLVk
Kiran, C. & Chaudhury, S. (2009). Understanding delusions. Industrial Psychiatry Journal. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016695/
Kliegman, J. (2022, July 6). Understanding the different rules and policies for transgender athletes. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/more-sports/2022/07/06/transgender-athletes-bans-policies-ioc-ncaa
Koeze, E. & Barry-Jester, A. M. (2018, June 20). What do men think it means to be a man? FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved from https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-do-men-think-it-means-to-be-a-man/
Krylov, A. I. (2021, June 10). The peril of politicizing science. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. Retrieved from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01475
Lean Logic. Unfalsifiability. Retrieved from https://leanlogic.online/glossary/unfalsifiability/
Learn Liberty. (2011, June 21). Positive rights vs. negative rights - Learn liberty [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/gXOEkj6Jz44
Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). Right to an abortion. Cornell Law School. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-5/right-to-an-abortion
Legum, J. Zekeria, T., & Crosby, R. (2022, June 2). These 25 rainbow-flag waving companies donated $13 million to anti-gay politicians since 2021. Popular Information. Retrieved from https://popular.info/p/lgbtq2022
LeWine, H. E. (2022, March 9). Phobia. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/phobia-a-to-z
Lewis, S. (2020, December 7). Joe Biden breaks Obama’s record for most votes ever cast for a U.S. presidential candidate. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-popular-vote-record-barack-obama-us-presidential-election-donald-trump/
LibertiesEU. (2021, October 5). What is marginalization? Definition and coping strategies. Retrieved from https://www.liberties.eu/en/stories/marginalization-and-being-marginalized/43767
Lindell, C. (2022, August 4). Alex Jones trial verdict: Jury awards $4.1 million in first phase of Sandy Hook case. Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved from https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2022/08/04/alex-jones-trial-jury-deliberations-underway-in-sandy-hook-case/65391779007/
Little Cozy Nook. (2019, January 19). The emperor’s new clothes read aloud book for children - classic tales for kids [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/KyIFXsGJgcI
Lorimer, C. (2017, November 1). On terms: It’s not my job to educate you. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@classylore/on-terms-its-not-my-job-to-educate-you-1bace85ddd74
Loser. (2003, September 15). Shitbrick. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shitbrick
Lowry, R. (2022, January 13). Opinion | Why is Joe Biden the ‘unifier’ ignoring bipartisan election reform? Politico. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/13/joe-biden-ignoring-bipartisan-election-reform-527073
Mamiya, L. A. (n.d.). Malcolm X. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Malcolm-X
Martin, M. G. F. (n.d.). Bodily sensations. Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/bodily-sensations/v-1
Matt’s Movie Reviews. (2022, May 19). What is a woman? (2022) trailer [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/TqBguWbia_o
McCarthy, N. (2020, February 4). The countries with the most left-handed people. Statista. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/chart/20708/rate-of-left-handedness-in-selected-countries/
MentalHealth.gov. (2022, February 28). What is mental health? U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Aversion. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aversion
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Female. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/female
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Male. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/male
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Sense. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sense
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Syllogism. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syllogism
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Transphobia. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transphobia
Messerly, J. (2014, March 2). The search for truth. Reason and Meaning. Retrieved from https://reasonandmeaning.com/2014/03/02/can-i-help-others-know-the-meaning-of-life/
Mickey Mouse. (2012, October 4). Marcia Griffiths- Electric boogie (The electric slide) (Promo) (HQ) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/5jBkoEM0SSE
Milken Institute School of Public Health. (2020, November 5). Equity vs. equality: What’s the difference? The George Washington University. Retrieved from https://onlinepublichealth.gwu.edu/resources/equity-vs-equality/
Mind the Risk. (n.d.). The death of common sense, by Philip K. Howard (a summary). Retrieved from https://www.mindtherisk.com/literature/19-the-death-of-common-sense-by-philip-k-howard-a-summary
Modest Mouse. (2009, October 3). Modest Mouse - Float on (Official music video) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/CTAud5O7Qqk
Mogai Genders Wiki. (n.d.). Cakegender. Retrieved from https://mogai-genders.fandom.com/wiki/Cakegender
Moment of Science. (2011, March 2). How to define “male” and “female.” Indiana Public Media. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07238-8
Moonlit Night. (2021, April 2). Alphabet mafia. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Alphabet%20Mafia
Morse, B. (2020, October 14). Merriam-Webster is changing definitions to assist democrats in attacking Amy Coney Barrett. RedState. Retrieved from https://redstate.com/brandon_morse/2020/10/14/merriam-websters-attack-n262348
Namaste, V. (2000, December). Invisible lives: The erasure of transsexual and transgendered people. The University of Chicago Press. Retrieved from https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/I/bo3683192.html
Nathan. (2017, May 3). The problem with equity (Equality of outcome). The Unity Process. Retrieved from https://theunityprocess.com/the-problem-with-equity-equality-of-outcome/
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Types of mental health professionals. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Types-of-Mental-Health-Professionals
National Bullying Prevention Center. (n.d.). Bullying 101. Pacer. Retrieved from https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/info-facts.asp
National Center for Transgender Equality. (2021, January 19). President-elect Biden announces groundbreaking nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine. Retrieved from https://transequality.org/press/releases/president-elect-biden-announces-groundbreaking-nomination-of-dr-rachel-levine
Nature. (2018, October 30). US proposal for defining gender has no basis in science. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07238-8
Newman, T. (2021, May 11). Sex and gender: What is the difference? Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232363
Nikolic, N. (2014, August 19). Difference between thoughts and beliefs [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/7jCJkOUrw4w
NLab. (2021, December 12). Bayesian reasoning. Retrieved from https://ncatlab.org/nlab/show/Bayesian+reasoning
Nordquist, R. (2019, June 23). Definition and examples of syllogisms. ThoughtCo. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/syllogism-logic-and-rhetoric-1692167
NPR. (2022, May 5). Karine Jean-Pierre will become White House’s 1st black press secretary. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2022/05/05/1096942696/karine-jean-pierre-is-replacing-jen-psaki-as-white-house-press-secretary
O’Grady, C. (2018, August 28). Social science has a complicated, infinitely tricky replication crisis. ARS Technica. Retrieved from https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/08/why-do-only-two-thirds-of-famous-social-science-results-replicate-its-complicated/
O’Grady, C. (2021, May 21). Unreliable social science research gets more attention than solid studies. Science. Retrieved from https://www.science.org/content/article/unreliable-social-science-research-gets-more-attention-solid-studies
Onesto, A. (2020, February 19). The Eminem method. LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/eminem-method-anthony-onesto
OutKick [@outkick]. (2022, February 18). “This is what happens when you have identities colliding in the pyramid of victimization. Men who have been swimming at the Ivy League’s cannot just decide that they’re a woman and then compete as a woman.” [Tweet]. Twitter. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/outkick/status/1494824051692429317
Pare, I. (2018, November 20). The grad activist: Resources for science advocacy. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved from https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/gradhacker/grad-activist-resources-science-advocacy
Petersen, L. (2019, January 24). What is mobbing at the workplace? Chron. Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/mobbing-workplace-43426.html
Pham, C. (2017, December 16). Feminism 101: What is white passing privilege? FEM. Retrieved from https://femmagazine.com/feminism-101-what-is-white-passing-privilege/
Pierre, J. (2022, January 14). No, the problem with America isn’t “mass psychosis.” Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psych-unseen/202201/no-the-problem-america-isnt-mass-psychosis
Pluckrose, H., Lindsay, J., & Boghossian, P. (2021, May 11). Understanding the “grievance studies affair” papers and why they should be reinstated: A response to Geoff Cole. SAGE. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00491241211009946
Pollack, E. (2013, October 3). Why are there still so few women in science? The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/magazine/why-are-there-still-so-few-women-in-science.html
PSU College Republicans. (2018, March 3). Is intersectionality a religion? [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/_AvyqUOKhGA
Quora. (n.d.). What is the difference between a thought and a belief? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-a-thought-and-a-belief
Radford, B. (2016, September 8). Unco Junto: Offense by proxy and the moral right to indignation. Center for Inquiry. Retrieved from https://centerforinquiry.org/blog/unco_junto_offense_by_proxy_and_the_moral_right_to_indignation/
Rising, C. (2014, February 28). UT students put on production of “The vagina monologues.” The Daily Texan. Retrieved from https://thedailytexan.com/2014/02/28/ut-students-put-on-production-of-the-vagina-monologues/
Romano, A. (2020, August 25). Why we can’t stop fighting about cancel culture. Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/12/30/20879720/what-is-cancel-culture-explained-history-debate
Ross, W. (n.d.). What is irrational? REBT Network. Retrieved from http://www.rebtnetwork.org/library/ideas.html
Ross, W. (n.d.). What is REBT? REBT Network. Retrieved from http://www.rebtnetwork.org/whatis.html
SAMHSA. (2021, October 14). Behavioral health treatments and services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/treatment
SAMHSA. (n.d.). Evidence-based practices resource center. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/resource-search/ebp
SarcasticSeminar101. (2015, July 14). You can’t polish a turd. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=You%20can%27t%20polish%20a%20turd
SCNR. (2019, February 14). The reality of transgender & gender science - Dr. Debra Soh [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/GY5eOHnQU5A
Shermer, M [@michaelshermer]. Progressive Stack. Does this mean I should classify my 25 Chapman students by race, gender, sex, class, ability...? [Tweet]. Twitter. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/michaelshermer/status/921507950346215424/photo/2
Simpson Wiki. (n.d.). Helen Lovejoy. Retrieved from https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Helen_Lovejoy
Singer, J. B. (2022, March 24). Special report on DSM-5-TR—What social workers need to know. The New Social Worker. Retrieved from https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/dsm-5-tr-what-social-workers-need-to-know/
Sleator, L. (2021, November 23). Tavistock clinic treats girls who don’t like dolls ‘as transgender.’ The Times. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tavistock-clinic-treats-girls-who-dont-like-dolls-as-transgender-ffdz7kc00
Snippets. (2013, December 30). The Simpsons - Helen Lovejoy - Think of the children [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/RybNI0KB1bg
Somers, P. (2015, October 12). Diogenes versus Plato. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@philosotramp/diogenes-versus-plato-fa8a68e8be2f
Spowertube. (2013, November 25). Malcolm X in Los Angeles May 5, 1962 Who taught you to hate yourself? full speech [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/kboP3AWCTkA
Stossel, J. & Binkley, G. (2020). Gay stereotypes: Are they true? ABC News. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2449185&page=1
Subiefreak. (2017, November 16). Raid. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Raiding
Sullivan, K. & Mucha, S. (2020, July 21). Joe Biden says he is considering four black women to be his running mate. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/21/politics/joe-biden-four-black-women-vice-president/index.html
Sullivan, K., de Vogue, A., Klein, B., Lee, M. J., & Vazquez, M. (2022, January 27). Biden commits to nominating nation’s first black female Supreme Court justice as he honors retiring Breyer. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/27/politics/biden-breyer-announcement/index.html
Sun, S. D. (2019, June 13). Stop using phony science to justify transphobia. Scientific American. Retrieved from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/voices/stop-using-phony-science-to-justify-transphobia/
Surbhi, S. (2018, August 22). Difference between should, ought to and must. Key Differences. Retrieved from https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-should-ought-to-and-must.html
Techie714. (2011, May 24). /S. Urban Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=/S
Testard-Vaillant, P. (2016, August 1). How many sexes are there? CNRS News. Retrieved from https://news.cnrs.fr/articles/how-many-sexes-are-there
TGEU. (n.d.). Violence & hate speech. Retrieved from https://tgeu.org/issues/violence-hate-speech/
Tollefson, W. (2015, August 25). The difference between thoughts and beliefs. William Tollefson Views. https://williamtollefsonvalues.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-difference-between-thoughts-and.html
Toor, A. (2013, April 19). Controversial update to ‘bible’ of psychiatry fuels debate over foundations of mental health. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2013/4/19/4243060/dsm-5-bible-of-psychiatry-mental-health-revisions-spark-boycott
Tseng, J. (2008). Sex, gender, and why the differences matter. American Medical Association. Retrieved from https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/sex-gender-and-why-differences-matter/2008-07
Tuckfield, B. (2017, March 9). A hard future for soft science. The American Interest. Retrieved from https://www.the-american-interest.com/2017/03/09/a-hard-future-for-a-soft-science/
Turner, M. J. (2016, September 20). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), irrational and rational beliefs, and the mental health of athletes. Frontiers in Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5028385/
Tuvel, R. (2021, July 6). Changing identities: Are race and gender analogous? American Philosophical Association. Retrieved from https://blog.apaonline.org/2021/07/06/changing-identities-are-race-and-gender-analogous/
Twenty-First Century Books. (1998). Malcolm X the movie 1992. Retrieved from http://www.brothermalcolm.net/
Understanding Science. (n.d.). How science works. University of California Berkley. Retrieved from https://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/howscienceworks_01
Universal Pictures. (2019, August 9). 8 mile | Eminem’s final rap battles [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/xh1ROLEDyP4
University of Nebraska Omaha. (n.d.). Queer and trans spectrum definitions. Retrieved from https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/inclusion/gender-and-sexuality-resource-center/lgbtqia-resources/queer-trans-spectrum-definitions.php
University of Notre Dame. (2021, May 5). Peers who boost marginalized voices help others, and themselves, study shows. NewsWise. Retrieved from https://www.newswise.com/articles/peers-who-boost-marginalized-voices-help-others-and-themselves-study-shows
U.S. Attorney’s Office. (2022, April 22). California man arrested and charged with making threats against LGBTQ community. U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/california-man-arrested-and-charged-making-threats-against-lgbtq-community
US Legal. (n.d.). Discrimination law and legal definition. Retrieved from https://definitions.uslegal.com/d/discrimination/
U.S. News. (2022, June 21). Biden to name 1st Native American US Treasurer to head mint. Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2022-06-21/president-biden-nominates-1st-native-american-us-treasurer
Vogels, E. A., Anderson, M., Porteus, M. Baronavski, C., Atske, S., McClain, C., Auxier, B., Perrin, A., & Ramshankar, M. (2021, May 19). Americans and ‘cancel culture’: Where some see calls for accountability, others see censorship, punishment. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/05/19/americans-and-cancel-culture-where-some-see-calls-for-accountability-others-see-censorship-punishment/
Wake Forest University. (n.d.). The difference between feelings and emotions. Retrieved from https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/difference-feelings-emotions/
WallStreetMojo. (n.d.). Empirical evidence. Retrieved from https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/empirical-evidence/
Washington Post, The [@washingtonpost]. A judge scolded right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Tuesday for lying under oath during his defamation trial in Travis County, Tex. “You must tell the truth while you testify,” Judge Maya Guerra Gamble said. “This is not your show.” https://wapo.st/3bvkz6f [Tweet]. Twitter. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/1554856818450612225
Weale, S. (2017, September 25). University ‘turned down politically incorrect transgender research.’ The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/sep/25/bath-spa-university-transgender-gender-reassignment-reversal-research
Wedell, K. (2022, June 7). Hiding behind rainbow flags: These companies’ political donations don't match their support of LGBTQ issues. USA Today. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/06/07/brands-rainbow-donations-politicians/9643841002/?gnt-cfr=1
Weinberger, D. (2018, December 7). Thomas Sowell explains the economics of discrimination. The Federalist. Retrieved from https://thefederalist.com/2018/12/07/thomas-sowell-explains-the-economics-of-discrimination/
Weissert, W., Mascaro, L., & Peoples, S. (2020, December 4). Pressure mounts on Biden to make diverse picks for top posts. AP News. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-race-and-ethnicity-antony-blinken-cabinets-c2fff649dda5e1c751228c90aac6d637
What We Know. (n.d.). What does the scholarly research say about the effect of gender transition on transgender well-being? Cornell University. Retrieved from https://whatweknow.inequality.cornell.edu/topics/lgbt-equality/what-does-the-scholarly-research-say-about-the-well-being-of-transgender-people/
White House, The. (2021, June 25). Executive order on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the federal workforce. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/25/executive-order-on-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-in-the-federal-workforce/
White House, The. (n.d.). Vice President Joe Biden. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/vp
WikiDiff. (n.d.). Sense vs feeling – What’s the difference? Retrieved from https://wikidiff.com/sense/feeling
Wikipedia. (n.d.). 8 mile (film). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_Mile_(film)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Alex Jones. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Jones
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Appearance of impropriety. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appearance_of_impropriety
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Blaire White. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaire_White
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Camille Paglia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camille_Paglia
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Cancel culture. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancel_culture
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Carl Sagan. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Christopher Hitchens. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Hitchens
Wikipedia. (n.d.). David Hume. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Deadnaming. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadnaming
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Diogenes. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hans Christian Andersen. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Christian_Andersen
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Hitchens’s razor. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchens%27s_razor
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Intersectionality. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersectionality
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Is-ought problem. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is%E2%80%93ought_problem
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ketanji Brown Jackson. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketanji_Brown_Jackson
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Logic. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logic
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Man. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Oppression Olympics. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oppression_Olympics
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Plato. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Platonic academy. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonic_Academy
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Post-truth. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-truth
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Progressive stack. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_stack
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Queer. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Review bomb. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Review_bomb
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sagan standard. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagan_standard
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Self-reflection. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_self-reflection#Classical_antiquity
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Socrates. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Tavistock and Portman NHS foundation trust. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tavistock_and_Portman_NHS_Foundation_Trust
Wikipedia. (n.d.). The emperor’s new clothes. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor%27s_New_Clothes
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Thomas Sowell. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sowell
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Tokenism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokenism
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Transgender. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Transhumanism. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Transracial (identity). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transracial_(identity)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). University of the arts (Philadelphia). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_the_Arts_(Philadelphia)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Validity (statistics). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Validity_(statistics)
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Violence against women act. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_Against_Women_Act
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia:Inaccuracies in Wikipedia namespace. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Inaccuracies_in_Wikipedia_namespace
Wiktionary. (n.d.). Slap my ass and call me Judy. Retrieved from https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/slap_my_ass_and_call_me_Judy
Williams, J. (2021, July 9). Biden nominates first openly-gay woman to serve as US ambassador. The Hill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/562220-biden-nominates-first-openly-gay-woman-to-serve-as-us-ambassador/
Wise, A. (2021, February 5). Biden pledged historic cabinet diversity. Here’s how his nominees stack up. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/president-biden-takes-office/2021/02/05/963837953/biden-pledged-historic-cabinet-diversity-heres-how-his-nominees-stack-up
Woodhouse, E., Hess, D., Breyman, S., & Martin, B. (2002, April). Science studies and activism: Possibilities and problems for reconstructivist agendas. Social Studies of Science. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/3183098
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Gender and health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/gender
Wright, S. A. (2022, April 14). All about rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). PsychCentral. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/lib/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy
Young Scot. (n.d.). Gender identity terms. Retrieved from https://young.scot/get-informed/national/gender-identity-terms
Your Logical Fallacy Is. (n.d.). Ad hominem. The School of Thought. Retrieved from https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/ad-hominem
Zambon, V. (2021, January 28). What does cisgender mean? Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-does-cisgender-mean#definition