Dear Listeners,
On the latest episode of Whiplash, I dive into the 2026 U.S. Bishops’ Annual Report on Religious Liberty and its alarming focus on transgender people. Across the United States, legal protections for transgender people are being challenged, restricted, or outright denied—and the bishops’ report frames these lives and identities as threats to religious freedom.
As a trans man, I know how frightening this moment feels. The laws and rhetoric coming from both the state and some church leaders aren’t just abstract—they affect real people, families, and communities. Today, I unpack the language of the bishops’ report, how it’s being used to justify harmful policies, and what it means for transgender Catholics and their allies.
Related reading:
My hope is that this episode empowers you with information, points to areas worth studying more, and gives you clarity on what’s happening in the intersection of law, church, and marginalized communities. Religious liberty is meant to protect the vulnerable, not be used as a weapon against them—and we can all push back against distortions of both faith and freedom.
🎧 Listen to the podcast here on Substack (where you can toggle between video with subtitles and just the audio file, and read a transcript by clicking the button on the top of the episode page on the web), Spotify (which has video and in-app transcripts), Apple Podcasts (which has in-app transcripts), and YouTube.
Thank you for listening, for engaging, and for standing with those whose lives are often made vulnerable by policy and rhetoric.
In solidarity,
Max
P.S. I’m deeply grateful to the paid subscribers who make this podcast possible. If you’re able and feel moved to help, please consider becoming a paid subscriber, share the episode with a friend, or make a one-time donation here. Thank you.
