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This performative, over the top cruelty and dehumanizing rhetoric is not new for Richard Dawkins. It's disgusting and so far out of step with our values — and basic decency.

Toby Buckle@polphilpod.bsky.social

every now & then someone on the anti-trans side will get cold feet about how openly ugly it's all getting—they want to keep the image of a nice, sensible centrist but it's never enough for them to get off the train

There's essentially no daylight between Richard Dawkins and Pete Hegseth here. And that's a hell of a thing to say.

The apologia I see on behalf of Dawkins from people committed to the idea that he's incapable of bigotry or lazy thinking — he's a Man Of Science™, don't you see?? — is stunning. They invent a position for him ("He's just concerned about fairness in sports!") while ignoring what he actually says.

This isn't new. He's previously endorsed the idea that trans women shouldn't be entitled to ANY benefits for "biological" mothers, should be excluded from public restrooms. That's not some meta-discourse of what you're "allowed" to ask. It's an extreme policy position that would require enforcement!

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And the moment you push on it, Dawkins and his defenders retreat to the notion that he's just an academic asking philosophical questions or pointing out... something about gametes? It should probably be obvious but "We should pass a law that does X" ain't just idle musing.