Jonathan Van Ness got emotional Monday during an episode of Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast because the pair launched into an unexpected and passionate debate about transgender kids.
The “Queer Eye” star, 36, and the “Worker of the Month” actor, 48, began the nearly two-hour episode with pleasantries and the expectation that Van Ness, who’s nonbinary and uses they/he/she pronouns, would discuss their very own podcast, “Getting Curious.”
But became tense when Shepard said it was “insane” that President Joe Biden is the country’s “most suitable choice.”
Then, the duo clashed over whether The Latest York Times needs to be considered a left-leaning newspaper.
Van Ness argued it’s not due to recent articles about gender-affirming care that some readers interpreted as “anti-trans.”
Shepard, nonetheless, used conservative talking points, claiming The Times was merely “difficult” and asking “questions” about issues, similar to teens taking puberty blockers and hormones.
The Post has contacted reps for Van Ness and Shepard for comment.
“Some persons are very uncomfortable about teenagers transitioning,” Shepard said. “How will we know that the person’s not gonna change their mind? Then there’s one other counterargument. In the event that they kill themselves, then that’s really f–king everlasting. … To even query it makes you an enemy. I don’t think that’s the way in which forward.”
“I feel like I’m talking to my dad,” Van Ness shot back.
The hairstylist proceeded to shift the conversation to transgender athletes and the way they don’t really have the competitive benefits as some people wish to think they do.
“There’s just so many things which might be so rather more vital and we’re over here being like, ‘Well, there’s legitimate concerns [about transgender athletes],’” Van Ness said.
“All I’m saying is what we learn about misinformation and disinformation is when you could have an outsized response to something, there’s a great likelihood that you simply’re being exposed to misinformation and disinformation. And numerous the rhetoric across the anti-trans backlash does have numerous misinformation and disinformation in it.”
Van Ness added that he finds it “disappointing” to comprehend how many individuals “think they’re really fighting” for ladies once they exclude trans kids from sports.
“I’m a nonbinary f–king trans person. After I discuss with my dad or individuals who say similar things, it’s hard to be cool through that,” he said, later telling Shepard and his co-host Monica Padman, “I’m not calling you a transphobe. You possibly can not be transphobic and still have thoughts that espouse trans misogyny and espouse transphobic ideologies or beliefs and never be transphobic.”
Van Ness continued, becoming more emotional, “I just get numerous little kids who aren’t allowed to, like, join groups,” he said about their LGBTQ+ advocacy work.
“I used to be really bullied for my gender expression as a bit of kid. And there’s numerous little kids who aren’t going to go be Olympic gold medalist. They don’t need to f–king go to the Olympics. They’re not gonna play —90 to 99% of children who need to play sports aren’t attempting to go to the Olympics, right?”
“Truthfully, I just — I wanted to come back, like, chat about my podcast…” Van Ness attempted to round up the intensifying conversation.
“We’re gonna try this, we’re gonna try this,” Shephard promised.
“I didn’t intend in any respect to get right into a debate with you about this,” he added, again complementing Van Ness. “I didn’t want that in any respect. I am keen on you. I believe you’re hysterical and talented and I really like that you simply’re an activist.”
“I could just cry because I’m so uninterested in having to fight for little kids because they only need to be included,” Van Ness told Shepard through tears. “I wish that individuals were as captivated with little kids with the ability to be included or grow up as they were about fictitious women’s fairness in sports. I even have to let you know I’m very drained.”
Van Ness added, “I’m terrified of the vitriol that trans people face on a regular basis.”
Shepard and Padman then apologized to Van Ness and stressed they didn’t intend to upset the TV personality.
Van Ness claimed he was not upset, but muttered, “It’s what it’s.”
