At this year’s Global Free Speech Summit, there was a widespread sense that the US is at a perilous juncture.

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with writer Ben Appel about his new memoir, ‘Cis White Gay: The Making of a Gender Heretic.’

In this episode, Ben Appel shares his transformative journey from a conservative and cult-like upbringing into LGBTQ activism and writing. We discuss the psychological toll of growing up within a coercive community, the impact of leaving that space, addiction and recovery, and how writing became a vehicle for healing and self-expression. We also dig into the evolution of marriage equality, current debates within LGBTQ activism, and what community really means in a shifting cultural landscape. 📌 Takeaways Ben Appel discusses his journey from a conservative background into LGBTQ activism. The conversation explores the complexities of identity and the role of community. Appel reflects on the cultural shift after marriage equality. The psychological consequences of leaving a controlling environment are unpacked. Addiction, recovery, and writing as a coping mechanism play central roles. The episode examines how LGBTQ activism has changed—particularly around trans rights. The importance of self-acceptance and belonging is emphasised. Chapters 00:00 Intro / Pre-Conversation 03:27 Navigating Political Landscapes 04:37 The Evolution of Activism 05:07 Assimilation vs. Radicalism 05:51 Personal Reflections on Activism 06:59 Language and Identity 09:18 Growing Up in a Cult 12:19 Covenant Communities Explained 14:22 The Psychological Toll 16:28 Freedom and Control 18:45 Community Life and Pressure 21:27 Leaving the Community 23:01 Struggling With Identity 28:12 Scrupulosity and Self-Judgement 33:04 A Turning Point in New Orleans 36:51 Descent Into Addiction 41:53 Finding Recovery and New Community 47:56 The Journey of Self-Discovery 48:08 How Marriage Changed Things 52:33 Love and Activism 54:43 Awakening of a New Activist 58:25 Navigating New Orthodoxy 01:02:17 Breaking Point at Columbia 01:05:29 Community, Belonging & Identity Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

The author of ‘Eat Pray Love’ has returned with a new memoir, which features all the usual problems with her writing writ large.

From offshore funding networks to the economic costs of unreliable renewables, this episode explores how Australia’s energy policy has been shaped by overseas interests—and what’s at stake if the country doesn’t change course.

Zoe Booth speaks with Gerard Holland, CEO of the Page Research Centre and founding member of the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, about the hidden forces shaping Australia’s energy transition. Holland argues that foreign money, green-lobby astroturfing, and political restrictions are distorting Australia’s energy strategy. The conversation covers new research revealing more than $108 million in foreign-funded efforts to influence energy policy, the economics of renewables, nuclear power, and the growing cost-of-living crisis. They explore why the renewable transition is struggling to deliver cheap and reliable power, how subsidies shift costs onto lower-income households, and why Australia’s policy direction risks worsening strategic and economic vulnerabilities. This episode asks: Who benefits from keeping Australia nuclear-free and energy-dependent? What if net zero isn’t achievable through renewables alone? And what does this mean for Australia’s economic and national security future? 🕒 Chapters ------ Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

How sex abuse has gone undetected inside Australia’s childcare sector.

An interview with Peggy Sastre

An interview with Peggy Sastre

For their research showing that rape is generally motivated by sexual desire, Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer were subjected to death threats and hounded in their personal and professional lives. And yet, they were right.

For their research showing that rape is generally motivated by sexual desire, Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer were subjected to death threats and hounded in their personal and professional lives. And yet, they were right.

The hyper-sexualized nature of many gay subcultures threatens to undo the important human-rights progress we’ve made over the course of my lifetime.

The hyper-sexualized nature of many gay subcultures threatens to undo the important human-rights progress we’ve made over the course of my lifetime.

Why are people fleeing the country? Is the threat of genocide being exaggerated—or ignored?

South Africa is facing a crisis that goes beyond headlines about crime and corruption. In this video essay, Iona Italia reads “Fleeing South Africa” by the philosopher David Benatar—Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town. Benatar examines: • Rising political extremism and racialised violence • The debate over whether white farmers are being targeted • Why some South Africans now fear state collapse • The Trump administration’s controversial refugee policy • The role of Julius Malema and the “Kill the Boer” controversy • What the international media gets wrong about the situation Why are people fleeing the country? Is the threat of genocide being exaggerated—or ignored? 📚 Read the full essay here: https://quillette.com/2025/06/10/fleeing-south-africa-boer-trump/ 🔔 Subscribe to Quillette for more independent journalism and free inquiry. - [00:00] Allegations of white genocide gain international attention with Trump's involvement. - [00:14] Trump administration welcomes Afrikaner refugees amid criticism of genocide claims. - [00:41] Genocide definition and implications in South Africa, referring to white South Africans' situation. - [02:02] Examination of farm murders and racial targeting claims in South Africa. - [03:52] Definitions and distinctions between migrants and refugees, highlighting Afrikaner refugees. - [05:16] Questions on the Trump administration's refugee criteria centered on race. - [06:11] Criticism of South Africa's selective human rights focus and international legal actions. - [07:08] Julius Malema's controversial rhetoric, legal decisions, and implications for racial dynamics. - [08:44] Malema's stance on genocide and corresponding demographic shifts in South Africa. - [10:02] Race baiting and political slogans intensifying tensions in South African politics. - [10:55] Discussion on racial acts and affirmative action policies impacting investment in South Africa. - [12:06] Decline in infrastructure and public services in South Africa’s troubled governance. - [12:46] Criticism of ANC's racial politics and the societal pressures on white citizens. - [13:11] Comparison of treatment of whites post-apartheid to historical treatment of blacks. #SouthAfrica #FarmMurders #Quillette #AfricaPolitics #DavidBenatar #GenocideDebate #CrimeWave #Trump #JuliusMalema #Refugees ----- Quillette is an Australian-based online magazine that focuses on long-form analysis and cultural commentary. It is politically non-partisan, but relies on reason, science, and humanism as its guiding values. Quillette was founded in 2015 by Australian writer Claire Lehmann. It is a platform for free thought and a space for open discussion and debate on a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, science, and technology. Quillette has gained attention for publishing articles and essays that challenge modern orthodoxy on a variety of topics, including gender and sexuality, race and identity politics, and free speech and censorship. --- Quillette's revenue comes from our readers. We are a grassroots organisation that relies on voluntary subscriptions and community membership as our primary revenue stream. Support Quillette by becoming a subscriber: https://quillette.com/#/portal/signup Or donate send us a one-off tip: https://quillette.com/#/portal/support We made our website using Ghost, a powerful app for new-media creators to publish, share, and grow a business around their content. It comes with modern tools to build a website, publish content, send newsletters & offer paid subscriptions to members. Try it here: https://ghost.org/?via=claire91

A critical look at how well-intentioned editorial “sensitivity” can narrow creative risk-taking and homogenise contemporary fiction.

Rusty Reno and the American postliberal revolt against the postwar consensus.

Why did Britain negotiate a treaty with Māori chiefs in New Zealand but claim Australia as terra nullius—“land belonging to no one”?

Why did this particular crime cut through the daily background noise of American violence?

Once celebrated as the world’s most liveable city, Melbourne is now confronting a surge in violent crime, youth gang activity, and public disorder. What happened — and why?

In an interview with Jonathan Kay, Canadaland publisher Jesse Brown reflects on how an anti-Israel faction within his own subscriber base tried to cancel him after he began speaking openly about antisemitism. He also pushes back on the idea that Jews must separate their identity from any connection to Israel—a distinction he argues is often imposed from the outside rather than arising within the community itself.⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Read more: https://quillette.com/2025/11/23/podcast-313-jesse-browns-rude-awakening/ ⁠

An impressive new biography of Jessica Mitford emphasises her sceptical and anti-authoritarian personality. But this was only half of the picture.

The world is not waiting for our utopian visions to make sense of it and order it. Liberal democracy works when it assumes as much.

In an interview with Jonathan Kay, Canadaland publisher Jesse Brown discusses how an anti-Israel faction within his own subscriber base tried to cancel him after he began speaking out about antisemitism.

The world is not waiting for our utopian visions to make sense of it and order it. Liberal democracy works when it assumes as much.