Sex Matters Podcast

In this week’s podcast Maya and Helen look back at Sex Matters’ origins. They reflect on how much easier it has become to speak out about sex-based rights at work – although shocking cases continue, such as that of Professor Jacob George, who was recused from oversight of the puberty-blocker trial for lawful, factual views on sex and gender identity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

In this week’s episode of the Sex Matters podcast, Fiona McAnena is joined by Dr Louise Irvine, co-founder of the Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG). Dr Irvine explains all you need to know about the puberty-blocker trial: what was planned, what’s wrong with it, why it’s been paused, and what happens next.Sign up for our lobby day on Tuesday 10th March. Visit the CAN-SG website to find out more about its work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

In this week’s episode of the Sex Matters podcast, Maya Forstater and Fiona McAnena discuss the failed legal challenge of the Good Law Project (GLP) against the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and the misinformation spread by GLP, other trans lobby groups and even some politicians.On 13th February the High Court dismissed a legal challenge from the GLP and three anonymous claimants against the EHRC’s interim guidance on single-sex services published shortly after the For Women Scotland judgment last year. Sex Matters intervened in support of the EHRC.Mr Justice Swift ruled that the EHRC’s interim update was an accurate statement of the law on single-sex spaces, and ruled that “transsexual persons” under the Equality Act have no right to use opposite-sex toilets or changing rooms.Read our analysis on GLP v EHRC. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

In this week’s episode of the Sex Matters podcast, Helen Joyce is joined by For Women Scotland’s co-director, Susan Smith, to discuss its most recent case against the Scottish Government concerning prison guidance. For Women Scotland has brought forward a judicial review of the Scottish Prison Service Policy for the Management of Transgender People in Custody, which permits prisoners with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment to be housed in a prison of the opposite sex. The hearing was held in the Court of Session Outer House from 3rd to 5th February 2026.For Women Scotland’s account of the hearing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

In this week’s episode of the Sex Matters podcast, Fiona and Maya are joined by Mara Yamauchi to discuss the latest developments in sport. Mara is a double Olympian, a member of the Sex Matters advisory group, a tireless campaigner – and a thorn in the side of Parkrun.We covered criticisms of a newly published academic study that claims men who identify as women have no sporting advantage over women; how UK law protects women’s and girls’ sport (it’s not just section 195 of the Equality Act); the problems caused by gender ideology in competitive and recreational sport; and of course parkrun. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

In this week’s episode of the Sex Matters podcast, Helen and Maya discuss the decision in the High Court to refuse Sex Matters permission for judicial review of the “trans inclusive” policy at the Hampstead Ponds.The ruling was made on procedural grounds, and didn’t even get to the point of considering whether that policy was lawful – a disappointing and frustrating outcome, but certainly not the end of the fight to protect single-sex spaces for both men and women, and to ensure that the Supreme Court judgment in the case of For Women Scotland translates to facts on the ground (and in the water).» Find out more at our website » This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

Fiona and Maya discuss the cases of Maria Kelly, Sandie Peggie, the Darlington nurses and Jennifer Melle. They talk about how regulators, trade unions and the government are all failing to follow the law, and what it will take to get the herd to change direction.References:Unison statement on Darlington nursesCharity Commission response to open letterBethany Hutchison & Others v County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

Fiona and Helen discuss two landmark cases heard this week by the US Supreme Court on the meaning of sex in law, and their implications for women’s sport and sex-based rights.Fiona talks us through Sex Matters’ (and friends’) amicus briefs in support of sex-based state laws.They also discuss the case of Miranda Newsom, who was banned by Southwark Council from its leisure centres for objecting to a man using a women’s changing room.Sex Matters attended a rally in support of Miranda on Saturday 10th, where counter-protestors demonstrated in support of the council’s policy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

Maya and Fiona ask if this year will finally see organisations obey the Supreme Court judgment. Will the government accept the equality regulator’s guidance? And what about education, healthcare, data policy, safeguarding and women’s rights?They discuss how three big themes will shape our campaigning in 2026: making the Equality Act work, preventing harm in medicine and education, and fixing policies where sex matters. (Our apologies for the background buzz from 9:38 to 20:26.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

Sandie Peggie, Maria Kelly and puberty blockers: Fiona, Maya and Helen discuss This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

Subscribe now (free) to get our podcasts as soon as they’re published. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

Join the Sex Matters mailing list now. We’ll send you a weekly email with updates, resources and opportunities to take action, and this weekly podcast – plus occasional campaign emails. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

For the final episode in our podcast series, Fiona McAnena interviews Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at Sex Matters and author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality.Helen and Fiona discuss the material reality of the two sexes and where the differences matter. From evolution and developmental trajectories to the societal and political fallout of pretending sex is irrelevant, Helen explains it all with the clarity, depth, and sharp insight we’ve come to respect. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

⏰ Tomorrow at 7pm! For the final episode in our podcast series, Helen Joyce and Fiona McAnena discuss the material reality of the two sexes and where the differences matter.🚻 From evolution and developmental trajectories to the societal and political fallout of pretending sex is irrelevant, Helen explains it all with the clarity, depth, and sharp insight we’ve come to respect.Set notifications for Friday’s premiere 🔔 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

In the second episode of our podcast series, Helen Joyce interviews Maya Forstater about sex and the law. Maya traces the story from early experimental surgeries to the legal cases that quietly reshaped policy behind closed doors. They discuss how the law became such a muddle, the role of digital identities in fixing it – and, of course, why establishing that gender-critical beliefs are WORIADS was such an important part of the fightback.If you haven’t already seen last week’s episode featuring Fiona McAnena talking about sex and sport, you can listen back here on Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

In the second episode of our podcast series, Helen Joyce interviews Maya Forstater about sex and the law. Maya traces the story from early experimental surgeries to the legal cases that quietly reshaped policy behind closed doors. Join us on Friday at 7pm 🔔 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org

Sport is back in the headlines after World Boxing announced it will sex-test competitors, naming Algeria’s Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif.In the first episode of our three-part series, Fiona McAnena exposes the hard truth about male athletes competing in the female category and how governing bodies are failing women under the banner of “inclusion.”Fiona talks to Helen Joyce about how we got here: from Renee Richards to Lia Thomas and Emily Bridges, and DSD athletes like Caster Semenya and Khelif. They discuss who’s being silenced, and what it will take to fix this.Tune in next week for the next episode!  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sex-matters-news.org