Peaked

Róisín Michaux

A podcast about gender identity ideology, women's rights, and free speech in the EU. peaked.substack.com

  1. 2D AGO

    The Faking of a Sob Story

    🎙️ Peaked — Episode Lydia Foy - The Faking of a Sob Story Host: Róisín Michaux Guest: Sean, Catherine      Episode Overview In this episode of Peaked, Róisín is joined by a guest to examine the life, legal case, and cultural legacy of Lydia Foy, one of the most significant figures in Ireland's legal history on gender recognition. The discussion moves between documentary storytelling, legal records, media portrayals, and cultural references to unpack how a single case shaped Irish law and influenced broader debates across Europe. Drawing from court judgments, archival interviews, activist commentary, and media narratives, the episode explores how law, medicine, and storytelling intersect and how different sources present the same events in radically different ways. The conversation also examines how public narratives are constructed through documentaries, advocacy, and cultural references, and how these narratives influence legal reform, public opinion, and institutional response.     Key Topics Discussed The life and legal case of Lydia Foy Irish High Court proceedings and European human rights attempts Role of FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) in public interest litigation The European Commission of Human Rights (1997 application) Gender Recognition Act (Ireland and UK comparisons) Medical evidence and brain-based theories of gender identity Media narratives vs court-record facts Cultural references including Orange Is the New Black Activism, legal advocacy, and institutional influence Amnesty-related activism and legal disputes Historical analogies and media impact (Emmett Till case)     Historical & Legal Context: Lydia Foy Case The episode heavily references official court records and legal proceedings. Irish High Court Judgment (Primary Source) https://www.bailii.org/ie/cases/IEHC/2002/116.html This judgment includes: Marriage and family background Psychiatric consultations Judicial separation and barring orders Loss of access to children Property transfer     European Human Rights Attempt (1997) Pre-1998, cases were submitted to the European Commission of Human Rights (not the Court directly). This included: Application involving legal aid refusal Attempt to reopen domestic proceedings Procedural dismissal     FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) https://www.flac.ie/ FLAC played a central role by: Taking the case as public interest litigation (mid-1990s) Shifting focus to birth certificate recognition Supporting long-term legal strategy     Legislative Context UK Gender Recognition Act (2004) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7/contents Introduced legal gender recognition framework Highly debated in Parliament Parliamentary Debate (Norman Tebbit) https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/2004/jan/29/gender-recognition-bill-hl Key themes: Legal vs biological sex Concerns about long-term implications     Medical & Scientific References Brain Structure Research (BSTc Studies) https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/85/5/2034/2660626 https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1995Natur.378...68Z/abstract These studies: Examined brain structures (BSTc region) Suggested differences aligned with gender identity Became influential in legal and medical discussions     Researcher: Louis Gooren https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Gooren https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Louis+Gooren Endocrinologist Specialist in hormone therapy and gender dysphoria     Media & Narrative Sources RTÉ Documentary https://www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/646740-radio-documentary-my-name-is-lydia-foy-transgender-transsexual "My Name is Lydia Foy" (2011) First-person narrative Covers childhood, marriage, transition, and legal struggle     ShoutOut Series https://www.shoutout.ie/know-your-queer-history Lydia Foy episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xzVf4Drxc0 Interview-based storytelling Personal account of legal and social experience     Cultural & Media References Orange Is the New Black https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Is_the_New_Black Character reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophia_Burset Used as a comparison for family dynamics and transition     Advocacy, Activism & Legal Networks Michael Farrell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Farrell_(activist) Council of Europe involvement: https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-commission-against-racism-and-intolerance/ecri-bureau/-/asset_publisher/TlH7DYDQnFdQ/content/farrell-michael Human rights lawyer Connected to Strasbourg institutions     Bill Shipsey & Art for Amnesty https://artforhumanrights.org/about-us/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Shipsey Legal dispute: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/09/18/group-founded-by-bill-shipsey-shocked-at-amnesty-legal-action/ https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/amnesty-international-sues-ex-irish-chairman-in-trademark-row/41992774.html Trademark dispute over "Amnesty" name Lawsuit initiated in 2022, later halted     Social Media Reference Bill Shipsey LinkedIn Post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/billshipsey_dr-lydia-foy-i-never-got-an-apology-actually-activity-7299369043466088448-6-HP Reflects on Lydia Foy's legal journey Mentions legal team and impact     Additional Cases & References 📚 🎯 CORE ROSA PARKS RESOURCES 🔗 Main Biography (reliable, concise) https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rosa-Parks ✔ Covers: Bus incident (1955) Montgomery Bus Boycott Role in Civil Rights Movement   📚 🎯 Emmett Till (Historical Comparison) 🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till 🔗 https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/till-murder/ 🔗 https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/emmett-till Used as an example of media impact and public response Includes reference to paid confession after acquittal     Supporting Context: Activism & Recognition Labour Party Recognition (Ireland) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Foy Lydia Foy awarded Jim Larkin "Thirst for Justice" Award (2025) https://www.instagram.com/p/DRH_IQrjBT7/     Host — Róisín Michaux   🔗 Substack / Podcast Home https://peaked.substack.com/ 🔗 X (Twitter) https://x.com/RoisinMichaux 🔗 Apple Podcasts — Peaked https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peaked/id1734814641     Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Peaked is available on all major platforms. https://peaked.substack.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peaked/id1734814641

    56 min
  2. MAR 12

    Femsplaining: Irish Cultural Capture with Laoise de Brún

    🎙️ Peaked — Episode 5 Femsplaining: Irish Cultural Capture with Laoise de Brún Host: Róisín Michaux Guest: Laoise de Brún     Episode Overview In this episode of Peaked, Róisín Michaux speaks with Irish activist and commentator Laoise de Brún, founder of The Countess, about the changing cultural and political landscape in Ireland and Europe. The conversation is a deep exploration of how gender identity ideology entered Irish institutions. De Brún explains the origins of The Countess, a grassroots feminist organisation she founded in 2020, and describes how activists attempt to influence policy in a media environment dominated by outlets such as RTÉ and The Irish Times. A significant part of the discussion focuses on gender identity policy in schools, NGO influence on guidance documents, and the legal controversy surrounding teacher Enoch Burke, who has repeatedly been imprisoned for contempt of court in a dispute with his school over pronoun use. The conversation also explores Ireland's historical culture of respectability, referencing Catholic social norms and institutions such as Magdalene Laundries, and draws parallels with contemporary ideological pressures within politics, academia, and public administration.     Key Topics Discussed • The founding and strategy of The Countess • NGO influence on gender identity policy in Irish schools • Media framing in RTÉ and The Irish Times • The legal case involving teacher Enoch Burke • Gender identity legislation and the Irish Gender Recognition Act (2015) • The Cass Review and youth gender medicine • Ireland's historical culture of social respectability • European institutions and policy influence • Political dynamics within Ireland and the role of parties such as Aontú     About the Guest Laoise de Brún is an Irish feminist activist, former broadcast journalist, and founder of The Countess, a grassroots women's advocacy organization launched in 2020. Her work focuses on women's rights, gender identity legislation, immigration policy, and institutional accountability in Ireland. 🔗 The Countess https://thecountess.ie     Institutional Context The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) The Irish Council for Civil Liberties is a major Irish human rights NGO involved in policy advocacy related to civil liberties, equality legislation, and legal reform. 🔗 ICCL https://www.iccl.ie     Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland's statutory equality body established in 2014 to monitor equality legislation and human rights protections. 🔗 IHREC https://www.ihrec.ie     Major Stories Referenced The Enoch Burke Case Irish teacher Enoch Burke became the focus of a major legal dispute after refusing to use a student's requested pronouns at Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath. Burke has been jailed multiple times for contempt of court after repeatedly returning to the school despite an injunction banning him from doing so. 🔗 Reuters — Explanation of the Case https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/irish-teacher-enoch-burkes-arrest-ordered-contempt-not-over-pronoun-use-2025-11-27/ 🔗 Wilson's Hospital School https://www.whs.ie     Mountjoy Prison The Dublin prison where Burke has been repeatedly detained for contempt of court. 🔗 Mountjoy Prison https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountjoy_Prison     Laws and Legal Frameworks Referenced Gender Recognition Act 2015 (Ireland) Ireland's Gender Recognition Act allows adults to legally change their gender through a self-declaration process. 🔗 Irish Statute Book https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/25/enacted/en/html     Lydia Foy Gender Recognition Case The Irish legal case brought by Dr. Lydia Foy helped establish pressure for gender recognition legislation in Ireland. 🔗 High Court Judgment https://www.bailii.org/ie/cases/IEHC/2007/H470.html 🔗 Case Background https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Foy     Research and Reports Mentioned The Cass Review The Cass Review is an independent review of gender identity services for children and young people in England led by pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, published in 2024. 🔗 Final Report https://cass.independent-review.uk/home/publications/final-report/ 🔗 Review Website https://cass.independent-review.uk     Media Organizations Referenced RTÉ Ireland's national public broadcaster. 🔗 RTÉ https://www.rte.ie     The Irish Times Ireland's newspaper of record referenced during the discussion about media narratives. 🔗 The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com     Individuals Referenced Petra De Sutter Belgian politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, referenced during discussion of Belgian political culture and institutional dynamics. 🔗 Petra De Sutter — Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra_De_Sutter 🔗 Brussels Times — AI quotes controversy https://www.brusselstimes.com/1909581/ugent-chancellor-petra-de-sutter-caught-using-ai-in-opening-speech 🔗 Anadolu Agency coverage of the same incident https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/belgian-rector-turns-down-honor-after-using-ai-generated-fake-quotes-in-speech/3794175     Stella O'Malley Irish psychotherapist and founder of Genspect, mentioned in relation to an earlier podcast appearance by Laoise de Brún. 🔗 Genspect https://genspect.org     Helen Joyce Journalist and author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality, referenced as a prominent commentator in gender identity debates. 🔗 Helen Joyce https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Joyce     Leo Varadkar Former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, referenced in discussion about political identity and Irish political culture. 🔗 Leo Varadkar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Varadkar     Books Referenced Derek Scally — The Best Catholics in the World A historical study examining the relationship between Ireland and the Catholic Church. 🔗 Book Page https://www.sandstonepress.com/book/the-best-catholics-in-the-world/     Peig Sayers — Peig Memoir of Irish storyteller Peig Sayers, widely known as a classic Irish-language text. 🔗 Peig Sayers https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peig_Sayers     Organizations Mentioned A&L Goodbody Major Irish law firm referenced in the discussion about legal guidance attached to policy documents. 🔗 A&L Goodbody https://www.algoodbody.com     Guest Resources 🔗 The Countess https://thecountess.ie 🔗 The Countess Campaigns and Publications https://thecountess.ie/about-us/     Guest — Socials 👤 Laoise de Brún 🔗 X / Twitter https://x.com/LaoiseDeBrun 🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/laoise-de-br%C3%BAn-97a488202/ 🔗 Organization Website https://thecountess.ie     Host — Róisín Michaux 🔗 Podcast / Substack https://peaked.substack.com 🔗 X (Twitter) https://x.com/RoisinMichaux 🔗 Apple Podcasts — Peaked https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peaked/id1734814641     Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Peaked explores European politics, institutions, and cultural debates shaping policy across the continent. If you enjoy conversations examining how ideas move through media, governments, and international organizations, consider subscribing on Substack or your preferred podcast platform.

    48 min
  3. FEB 24

    Inside the StrasBorg: The Council of Europe and the Conversion Therapy Ban Resolution

    🎙️ Peaked Inside the StrasBorg: The Council of Europe and the Conversion Therapy Ban Resolution Host: Róisín Michaux Guest: Annette Pacey     Episode Overview In this episode of Peaked, I speak with Annette Pacey about what happened inside the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe during the recent vote on a resolution calling for a Europe-wide ban on "conversion practices." Our conversation examines how resolutions are developed within the Council of Europe, how political groups coordinate amendments and voting strategy, and why attendance and procedural dynamics can determine the outcome of controversial measures. Rather than focusing only on rhetoric, we explore how language such as "conversion therapy" functions in law and policy, how gender identity has been embedded into European human rights frameworks, and why relatively obscure institutions like PACE can shape national legislation across 46 member states.     Key Topics Discussed · The structure and function of the Council of Europe versus the European Union · The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and its political groups · The Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination · The resolution "For a ban on conversion practices" and its legislative trajectory · The role of rapporteurs, including UK MP Kate Osborne · Political group strategy, amendments, and voting coordination · Attendance patterns and procedural dynamics in Strasbourg · The distinction between sexual orientation and gender identity in law · The concept of "affirmation" in policy frameworks · The broader impact of Council of Europe resolutions on national legislation     About the Guest Annette Pacey is a writer and policy commentator affiliated with Athena Forum, a European network focused on evidence-based policy and sex-based rights. She attended the January 2026 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, where she engaged directly with delegates across political groups regarding the draft resolution on conversion practices. Annette speaks in a personal capacity in this episode and reflects on her observations of institutional process, political negotiation, and advocacy dynamics inside PACE.     Institutional Context: The Council of Europe and PACE The Council of Europe is a pan-European intergovernmental organization founded in 1949 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France. It currently has 46 member states and is distinct from the European Union. 🔗 Council of Europe — Official Website https://www.coe.int The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is composed of sitting national parliamentarians from member states. Delegates are not directly elected to PACE but are appointed from their domestic parliaments. 🔗 Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) https://pace.coe.int Political groups within PACE include: · SOC — Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group · EPP/CD — Group of the European People's Party · ALDE — Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe · EC/DA — European Conservatives Group and Democratic Alliance · UEL — Unified European Left 🔗 Political Groups Overview https://pace.coe.int/en/pages/political-groups     The Conversion Practices Resolution The episode centers on the resolution titled: "For a ban on conversion practices" The report was prepared by Kate Osborne MP (UK, Labour), serving as rapporteur for the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination. 🔗 Resolution Text and Report (Doc. 16315) https://pace.coe.int/en/files/35742 The resolution calls on member states to: · Introduce legislative bans on conversion practices · Provide criminal sanctions where appropriate · Prohibit so-called "conversion practices" affecting sexual orientation and gender identity · Implement awareness campaigns and support mechanisms As discussed in the episode, Council of Europe resolutions are not binding law. However, they are frequently cited as human rights standards and can influence national legislation.     Legal Precedents Referenced Malta — Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act (2016) Malta was the first European country to introduce legislation addressing conversion practices. 🔗 Malta Legislation Overview https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/540/eng Spain — Law 4/2023 (Ley para la igualdad real y efectiva de las personas trans) Spain's 2023 reform includes provisions addressing conversion practices. 🔗 Spanish Official Gazette (BOE) https://www.boe.es/eli/es/l/2023/02/28/4     Political Dynamics Discussed The episode examines: · Amendment strategies within the EPP group · Pre-agreed amendments negotiated with the rapporteur · The role of party leadership in shaping final votes · Attendance patterns on the final day of plenary · Strategic considerations among center-right delegates The conversation reflects on how procedural decisions and group coordination can affect the substance of policy outcomes.     Individuals Referenced 🔗 Kate Osborne MP UK Labour MP; Rapporteur on conversion practices https://members.parliament.uk/member/4657 🔗 Helena Dalli European Commissioner for Equality https://commission.europa.eu/persons/helena-dalli_en 🔗 Thor Bjørn Jagland Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe (2009–2019) https://www.coe.int/en/web/secretary-general/former-secretaries-general     Athena Forum Athena Forum is a European civil society initiative focused on evidence-based policy and sex-based rights. 🔗 Athena Forum https://athena-forum.eu/     Guest — Socials 👤 Annette Pacey • LinkedIn: https://es.linkedin.com/in/annette-pacey-6a159b3a • X (Twitter): https://x.com/annettepacey?lang=en • Substack (Gender Lupa): https://genderlupa.substack.com/podcast     Host — Róisín Michaux 🔗 Substack / Podcast Home https://peaked.substack.com/ 🔗 X (Twitter) https://x.com/RoisinMichaux 🔗 Apple Podcasts — Peaked https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peaked/id1734814641     Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Peaked is available via Substack and major podcast platforms. If you value careful analysis of European institutions, human rights law, and the mechanics of political decision-making, consider subscribing.

    33 min
  4. FEB 11

    What's wrong with Belgium?

    🎙️ Peaked — Episode 3 What's Wrong With Belgium? Host: Róisín Michaux Guest: Suzy Eeckelaerts Full Episode: https://peaked.substack.com/p/premium-belgiums-vip-knickerhon-cant   Episode Overview In this episode of Peaked, I speak with Suzy Eeckelaerts, a Belgian lecturer in biotechnology, about how gender identity ideology became embedded in Belgian law, public institutions, and cultural norms and why resistance to it has taken a markedly different shape than in other European countries. Our conversation explores Belgium's legal framework on sex self-identification, the country's distinctive culture of non-interference, and a recent controversy at Ghent University that raised questions about academic integrity, leadership accountability, and media silence. We examine how law, education, medicine, and journalism interact in practice and why Belgium's response to these issues can feel opaque or immovable to outsiders. A central section of the episode focuses on Petra De Sutter — Belgian politician, former Deputy Prime Minister, fertility specialist, and appointed rector of Ghent University — and a controversy surrounding an acceptance speech containing incorrect quotations later linked to AI-generated text.     Key Topics Discussed Belgium's 2007 and 2017 gender recognition laws Legal sex versus biological sex in policy and institutions Cultural norms of "live and let live" in Flemish society Why public opposition looks different in Belgium than in Ireland or the UK Women's sport, single-sex spaces, and institutional obligations Academic freedom and governance at Ghent University The AI-generated speech controversy involving Petra De Sutter Media framing, avoidance, and limits of public debate     About the Guest Suzy Eeckelaerts is a Belgian lecturer with a focus on biology, reproduction, and scientific reasoning. In addition to her teaching and research work, Suzy has contributed to public debate in Belgium on sex-based rights, women's sport, and the relationship between biology and public policy. She has written opinion responses in the Belgian press and has collaborated with contributors associated with Athena Forum, a European network focused on evidence-based policy and sex-based rights. Suzy speaks in a personal capacity in this episode and distinguishes her own views from those of the host where they differ.     Historical & Legal Context: Gender Law in Belgium The episode references two major legal developments: the 2007 Transsexual Law and the 2017 Gender Recognition Reform, which removed medical requirements and introduced legal sex change by declaration.   🔗 Overview (historical context): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_in_Belgium 🔗 Administrative explanation (Flanders): https://www.vlaanderen.be/en/change-in-gender-registration 🔗 Legal overview: https://tgeu.org/belgium-legal-gender-recognition-law-2017/     Key References 🔗 Petra De Sutter — Public Profile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra_De_Sutter 🔗 Ghent University official response to incorrect AI quotes Statement by UGent about the incorrect quotations in the speech. ➡️ https://www.ugent.be/en/news-events/incorrect-quotes-reaction-petra-de-sutter.htm  🔗 Brussels Times — AI Quote Controversy https://www.brusselstimes.com/1909581/ugent-chancellor-petra-de-sutter-caught-using-ai-in-opening-speech 🔗 Apache (Investigative Journalism, Dutch) https://apache.be/2026/01/08/rector-petra-sutter-gebruikte-door-ai-gehallucineerde-citaten-openingsspeech/ 🔗 VRT News (Public Broadcaster, Dutch) https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2026/01/08/petra-de-sutter-ai-toespraak/ Dutch language video reporting that the Rector used AI-generated quotes. ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmnYUVomVtA     Guest Resources & Links 🔗 X (Twitter): @SEeckelaerts https://x.com/SEeckelaerts Webinar on women in sports https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muFP_A_UDko 🔗 Athena Forum https://athena-forum.eu/     Host — Róisín Michaux   🔗 Substack / Podcast Home https://peaked.substack.com/ 🔗 X (Twitter) https://x.com/RoisinMichaux 🔗 Apple Podcasts — Peaked https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peaked/id1734814641   Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Peaked is available via Substack and all major podcast platforms. If you value careful, independent analysis of European policy, free speech, and institutional power, consider subscribing.

    38 min
  5. FEB 3

    Why Do So Many Trans Women Have a Humiliation Kink?

    🎙️ Peaked Why Do So Many Trans Women Have a Humiliation Kink? Host: Róisín Michaux Guest: Sissy Joyce Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/peaked/p/interview-with-a-sissy-fetishist   🎙️ Episode Overview In this episode, I speak with Sissy Joyce, a Belgian sissy fetishist, content creator and self-identified trans woman, about the uncomfortable and unspoken overlap between identifying as a woman and masochism.  We talk openly about humiliation kinks, submission, pornography, sex self-ID laws, single-sex spaces, sports, prisons, and why so many women feel instinctively alarmed by the cultural direction of gender identity politics. This is not a neat or polite discussion. It is a necessary one.       🔍 Context & Analysis This episode reflects a core concern running through Peaked: that women's material reality is being overridden by the needs and demands of men like Joyce, who insists that being trans is separate from sexual fetishism, including in public policy. Women who object to sex self-ID are often portrayed as hateful or fearful, yet many objections stem from long-standing safeguarding norms, lived experience of male violence, and an understanding of sexual dynamics. This episode is not about personal animosity. It is about consequences.   ⏱️ Episode Structure (Approximate)   00:00–06:00 – Introduction and framing of the conversation 06:00–15:00 – How Joyce and I came into contact and early disagreements 15:00–25:00 – Trans women in sports and the meaning of fairness 25:00–35:00 – Sex self-ID, legal documents, and unintended consequences 35:00–50:00 – Bathrooms, public spaces, fear, and safeguarding 50:00–65:00 – Fetishism, humiliation, pornography, and identity 65:00–85:00 – Passing, public perception, and psychological strain 85:00–110:00 – Final reflections on sexuality, boundaries, and reality     🧠 Key Themes & Discussion Points What a "sissy" humiliation or submission kink is and how it manifests The overlap between sexual fetishism and gender identity narratives Why many men begin their gender journeys through erotic role-play The symbolic role of women as "submission" within certain male fetishes Whether gender identity is rooted in evidence or belief Why women object to sex self-ID laws beyond personal prejudice Single-sex spaces, toilets, prisons, and safeguarding concerns Trans-identified males in women's sports and the limits of fairness "Passing", visibility, and the psychological toll of public performance Why women's objections are often framed as hatred rather than boundaries Pornography's influence on modern gender ideology     ⚠️ Content Note This episode contains explicit discussion of sexual fetishes, pornography, gender identity, and violence. Listener discretion is advised.     📝 Editorial Note This episode is presented in full, without sanitisation. The views expressed by the guest are his own. The purpose of this conversation is critical examination, not endorsement.       🔗 Guest Resources — Sissy Joyce 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sissyjoyce (personal social profile)  🛍️ The Sissy Market (store): https://sissymarket.com (online shop with apparel & accessories)  📍 Store address: Vaartstraat 163, 2490 Balen, Belgium (physical store location)  📧 Store contact: Support@sissymarket.com (store support email         Host — Róisín Michaux   🔗 Substack / Podcast Home https://peaked.substack.com/ 🔗 X (Twitter) https://x.com/RoisinMichaux 🔗 Apple Podcasts — Peaked https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peaked/id1734814641     Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Peaked is available via Substack and major podcast platforms. If you value independent analysis of European policy, free speech, and institutional power, consider subscribing.

    56 min
  6. JAN 24

    The Conversion Therapy Vote

    🎙️ Peaked Reports of conversion therapy are "completely exaggerated"  Host: Róisín Michaux Guest: Kurt Krickler Link (free version): https://peaked.substack.com/p/reports-of-conversion-therapy-are?r=1numbu     Episode Overview Kurt Krickler is a lifelong gay rights advocate who worked with the lobbying organisation ILGA-Europe from its earliest days. He was an ILGA volunteer before they even added the L, never mind the T, the Q or the I (or the worryingly ambiguous "plus+"). He watched the organisation's evolution from a group of scrappy activists to what it is today: a multi-million euro, multi-tentacled monster that fights to deny sex-based protections, where Kurt once fought to establish them. Having left ILGA when their mission creeped, Kurt has been pulled out of activist retirement to try to undo some of their more recent damage. He is one of the founding members of Athena Forum, a Vienna-based organisation that seeks to play ILGA at their own game: namely, lobbying the institutions that have been completely captured — inside and out — in order to return some sense to policy and law on a European level. In particular, there's a vote coming up in the next few days in the Council of Europe on a resolution, introduced by a UK Labour MP, to ban "conversion therapy". This conversion therapy ban gambit is now a long-standing LGBTIQ+ advocacy goal, and it's not what it looks like. In the crudest terms, this resolution, if it were to be obeyed by Council of Europe member states, would make it extremely difficult to talk to a young person who has fallen into the gender identity trap. As such, it is a menace to young same-sex attracted (and gender non-conforming) people. Read more about the campaign on Athena Forum's website and if you're in one of the 46 member states implicated, you can get involved.        What we talked about  What the Council of Europe is and how it differs from the European Union Why non-binding resolutions still matter politically and legally How "conversion therapy" has expanded far beyond its historical meaning The chilling effect on therapists working with gender-distressed patients How activists use things like non-binding resolutions to influence national legislation Problems with data integrity in EU-funded LGBTIQ discrimination research The institutional evolution of ILGA and the emergence of alternative advocacy voices Why Kurt co-founded Athena Forum and what it seeks to change     About the guest  Kurt Krickler is an Austrian gay rights activist who has been involved in European and international advocacy since the late 1970s. He co-founded Homosexuelle Initiative Wien (HOSI Wien) in 1979 and later served on the board of ILGA-Europe, including as Co-Secretary General from 1996 to 2003. After ILGA-Europe shifted its focus to gender identity to the detriment of its gay rights focus, Kurt helped co-founded Athena Forum in 2025, an organisation focused on sex-based rights, evidence-based policy, and engagement with European institutions.     Historical Context: ILGA and the Amsterdam Treaty During the conversation, we reference a key moment in EU legal history: the inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected ground in the Treaty of Amsterdam, which came into force in 1999. A widely cited ILGA-Europe publication from that period, After Amsterdam: Sexual Orientation and the European Union (1999), documents how this treaty change transformed LGBT advocacy in Europe and enabled EU-level anti-discrimination legislation and funding for NGOs. This shift marked the beginning of ILGA-Europe's permanent institutional presence in Brussels and fundamentally changed the scale and scope of European LGBT lobbying.     Why This Vote Matters Although Council of Europe resolutions are not legally binding, they are routinely used by advocacy organizations and policymakers to justify: National legislation Professional and regulatory guidelines Criminal sanctions Litigation strategies As Kurt explains, once such resolutions exist, they become reference points in parliamentary debates, ministerial briefings, and court arguments across Europe.     Key Organisations & Resources 🔗 Peaked (Podcast & Writing) https://peaked.substack.com/ 🔗 Athena Forum https://athena-forum.eu/ 🔗 Council of Europe – Draft Resolution on Conversion Practices https://pace.coe.int/files/35742/html 🔗 ILGA-Europe – After Amsterdam: Sexual Orientation and the European Union (1999) https://www.ilga-europe.org/report/after-amsterdam-sexual-orientation-and-the-european-union/ 🔗 EU Fundamental Rights Agency – LGBTIQ Survey (2024) https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2024/lgbtiq-equality-crossroads-progress-and-challenges     Host — Róisín Michaux (Verified Links) 🔗 Substack / Podcast Home https://peaked.substack.com/ 🔗 X (Twitter) https://x.com/RoisinMichaux 🔗 PayPal donate link  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=HY6L9HXCBT5G4 🔗 Apple Podcasts — Peaked https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peaked/id1734814641     Listen & Subscribe 🎧 Peaked is available via Substack and major podcast platforms. If you value independent analysis of European policy, free speech, and institutional power, consider subscribing.

    40 min

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A podcast about gender identity ideology, women's rights, and free speech in the EU. peaked.substack.com

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