Education

published : 2023-09-05

Bill Maher Criticizes Gender Surgeries and Teen Identifications as Trans in Conversation with Joe Rogan

Comedian argues that transgender surgeries are harmful and kids identifying as trans is a trend rather than medical necessity

Bill Maher during a stand-up performance, captured with a Nikon D850.

Renowned comedian Bill Maher appeared on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where he voiced his strong opposition to gender-transitioning procedures and expressed doubt about the medical safety of transgender surgeries. Maher argued that the idea that these surgeries benefit a person's health is 'ridiculous' and criticized the prevalence of kids identifying as trans, suggesting it may be a way to rebel against their parents.

During their conversation, Maher and Rogan covered various political topics, including the indictments of former President Trump, race in America, and transgenderism. Maher, known for his critical stance on so-called wokeness, raised concerns about the permanent damage that gender surgeries can cause and questioned the notion of 'gender-affirming care' for young children.

A group of diverse teenagers engaging in a political discussion, snapped with a Canon EOS R6.

Maher firmly stated, 'It's terrifying that they're calling it gender-affirming care when it's really childhood mutilation before you have the ability to figure out what permanent means. You're seven years old.' He acknowledged that being transgender is a real experience for some people, but also highlighted that it has become a social fad, possibly amplified by platforms like TikTok.

Joe Rogan agreed with Maher, referring to transgenderism as a 'social contagion.' Maher further shared his personal perspective, stating that even if he were transgender, he would not undergo gender-altering medical procedures due to the believed permanent damage they would inflict on his body. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing medical considerations and expressed skepticism about the current level of medical advancement in this field.

A close-up shot of a medical professional explaining the risks of gender surgeries, taken with a Sony A7 III.

Questioning the regional discrepancies in the prevalence of transgender identities, Maher pondered why dinner parties in Los Angeles might have more individuals with trans children compared to Indiana. He acknowledged the possibility of some people in more conservative areas being afraid to come out but deemed the regional disparity as obvious and somewhat ridiculous. Maher attributed the trend of identifying as trans among youngsters to the desire to differentiate themselves from previous generations.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Maher's critique of gender surgeries and the varying prevalence of trans identities stimulates reflection on the medical implications and social dynamics surrounding the transgender movement.