Episode 232: The Genesis of Gender | Abigail Favale

Hole in My Heart Podcast

If you care about the gender conversation at all, we believe this conversation is critical.

Dr. Abigail Favale wrote Laurie’s favorite book on gender this year called “The Genesis of Gender,” and the conversation about it is—*chef’s kiss*—rich and practical.

Together, they talk about:

• —Is sexual difference an afterthought of the Bible?
• How can we define woman and man?
• Is the fact that intersex people exist the proverbial “trump card” for more than two sexes?
• How can people walk alongside those they love who wrestle with gender? (And what if we wrestle ourselves?)

| Highlights |

• “The gender-affirming medical model presents itself as a quick fix. It is concrete. ‘I now have a very concrete, step-by-step process that I can follow that will speak to this misery I am undergoing.’ That is a very compelling narrative, so I have nothing but compassion for people who go down this road to try to manage their suffering. I have less compassion for people in authority who should know better.” —Abigail Favale
• “Yes, boys can play with these toys, but they are still boys because of the kind of bodies they are…You have a body where you could grow up and be a daddy one day.” And: “You have a body that could grow up and be a mommy one day.” —Abigail Favale
• “There was never a time where the medical establishment said, ‘The cure for anorexia is liposuction or to affirm young women’s views of themselves…’ Now we have adults in authority telling distressed young women [who wrestle with gender], ‘You are right about how you feel about your body, and let me help you to radically change it.’” —Abigail Favale

| QOTW |

What is the best pickle? (Oh, my word…Matt writes a haiku against pickles hahaha)

| Next Steps |

• Abigail’s new memoir here.
• Her gender book here.
• Her Twitter: Twitter/X @FavaleAbs
• Connect to O’Neill Asset Management here.
• Join the HIMH Pod FB group here.
• Follow Laurie on IG (where she is the most active) here.