Peterson claimed that being trans is a “sociological contagion” comparable to “satanic ritual abuse" During the podcast, Rogan and Peterson speculated on what causes a person to be trans. Peterson asserted that the answer is a “sociological contagion” comparable to “the satanic ritual abuse accusations that emerged in daycares in the 1980s,” referring to the “rash of false allegations” about supposed occult child abuse that fueled the “satanic panic” during the 1980s and early 1990s. 

The irony in all this is that these “protectors of enlightenment” are guilty of the very behavior this phrase derides. Though often dismissed as just a fringe internet movement, they espouse unscientific claims that have infected our politics and culture. Especially alarming is that these “intellectual” assertions are used by nonscientists to claim a scientific basis for the dehumanization of trans people. The real world consequences are stacking up: the trans military ban, bathroom bills, and removal of workplace and medical discrimination protections, a 41-51 percent suicide attempt rate and targeted fatal violence . It’s not just internet trolling anymore.

Schneider has continued to break records on Jeopardy! and has extended her record for longest winning streak by a woman with her 24th victory. She has become the highest-earning woman in the show’s history and fourth highest-earning regardless of gender, with a total of $897,600 (just over £660,000).

“I’d like to thank all the people who have taken the time, during this busy holiday season, to reach out and explain to me that, actually, I’m a man,” she wrote. Schneider continued: “Every single one of you is the first person ever to make that very clever point, which had never once before crossed my mind.”