Anaïs Nin Writes of the New Woman | This Way Out Radio Episode #1982

“It is the woman who has to speak, and it’s not only the woman Anaïs who has to speak, but I who have to speak for many women.” So says the Cuban-French essayist and novelist in this 1966 reading from the first volume of “The Diary of Anais Nin,” presented in commemoration of Women’s History Month by poet Steven Reigns, Chair of the Anaïs Nin Foundation (produced by Brian DeShazor).

Warm remembrances for the March birthdays of Alexandra Billings, the first female transgender actor to portray “Mama Rose” in “Gypsy,” and gay playwright Tennessee Williams, recalling his first meeting with Marlon Brando (courtesy of the Pacifica Radio Archives). More queer milestones include the birthday of ACT-UP, its Bisexual Health Awareness Month, and International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31st (a Rainbow Rewind written by Sheri Lunn and produced by co-host Brian DeShazor).

And in NewsWrap: India’s anti-trans proposal sparks protests, New South Wales acts to stop dating app ambushes, Olympics “sex testing” plan outrages human rights advocates, Trump’s new visa rules call neutral “X” passports “gender fraud,” California and New York lead U.S. states fighting Health and Human Services for trans kids’ care, and more international LGBTQ news reported this week by Melanie Keller and John Dyer V (News Editor Ebony Joseph, News Producer Brian DeShazor).

All this on the March 23, 2026 edition of This Way Out!

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Complete Program Summary

for the week of March 23, 2026

Anaïs Nin Writes of the New Woman

In “NewsWrap” [full transcript below]: India’s anti-trans proposal sparks protests, New South Wales acts to stop dating app ambushes, Olympics “sex testing” plan outrages human rights advocates, Trump’s new visa rules call neutral “X” passports “gender fraud,” California and New York lead U.S. states fighting Health and Human Services for trans kids’ care, Poland’s top court orders recognition of EU queer marriages, Pulse Nightclub site of queer massacre demolished – some of this week’s international LGBTQ news reported this week by Melanie Keller and John Dyer V (News Editor Ebony Joseph, News Writer Lucia Chappelle, News Producer Brian DeShazor).

Feature: The Rainbow Rewind brings warm remembrances for the March birthdays of Alexandra Billings, the first female transgender actor to portray “Mama Rose” in Gypsy, and gay playwright Tennessee Williams, recalling his first meeting with Marlon Brando (courtesy of the Pacifica Radio Archives). More queer milestones include the birthday of ACT-UP, its Bisexual Health Awareness Month, and International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31st (written by Sheri Lunn and produced by her co-host Brian DeShazor).

Promo: For listener support, write info@thiswayout.org or see thiswayout.org/donate.

Feature: “It is the woman who has to speak, and it’s not only the woman Anaïs who has to speak, but I who have to speak for many women.” So says the Cuban-French essayist and novelist in this 1966 reading from the first volume of her Diary of Anaïs Nin, presented in commemoration of Women’s History Month by poet Steven Reigns, Chair of the Anaïs Nin Foundation (produced by Brian DeShazor).

NewsWrap

for the week ending March 21, 2026

Written by EBONY JOSEPH and LUCIA CHAPPELLE,

reported this week by JOHN DYER V and MELANIE KELLER,

produced by BRIAN DeSHAZOR

Transgender people in India are protesting a proposed amendment to the country’s transgender rights law.

Introduced to parliament on March 13th, the amendment would remove recognition of self-identified gender. It narrows the definition of “transgender,” excluding people without medical diagnoses and those outside four traditionally defined socio-cultural identities. Trans men and nonbinary people would effectively be erased.

Currently, individuals can apply for a certificate to legally identify as transgender, allowing them to update official documents and access government programs. If the amendment passes, a screening committee would review applications. Activists warn this could introduce biomedical surveillance and restrict access to gender-affirming care.

They also note that the right to self-identify gender was affirmed in a landmark 2014 Supreme Court ruling recognizing transgender people as a third gender with constitutional protections.

The All-India Feminist Alliance and the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights have called for the amendment to be withdrawn, saying it “does not represent our collective will” and threatens hard-won rights.

Lawmakers in New South Wales, Australia are proposing changes to strengthen hate crime laws targeting LGBTQ people.

The amendments would create a new offense for attackers who lure victims using dating apps, and increase penalties for serious assaults and robberies.

Advocates say the attacks are part of a broader pattern driven by extremist ideologies, including far-right rhetoric. Legislative leaders say the reforms are meant to ensure that hatred has consequences.

The proposal comes as the state prepares to release a broader review of hate speech protections following a rise in hate crimes.

More than 100 sports and human rights organizations are urging the International Olympic Committee not to reinstate so-called “sex testing.”

The groups warn that genetic testing could be introduced ahead of the 2028 Olympics, potentially excluding intersex and transgender athletes.

The IOC abandoned chromosomal and hormone testing in 1996 after experts deemed it unreliable. However, recent statements from leadership suggest new eligibility rules are under consideration.

Advocates argue that such policies reinforce harmful stereotypes and subject all women athletes to increased scrutiny. The IOC says no final decisions have been made.

The Trump administration has announced new visa requirements that could exclude transgender applicants from the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.

Beginning April 10th, applicants’ passports must match the administration’s definition of “biological sex,” limited to male or female. The rule could enable increased scrutiny under claims of “gender fraud.”

Countries including Canada, Australia, and Denmark offer gender-neutral “X” markers. The U.S. previously did as well, but under the new policy, existing “X” passports will not be renewable.

Advocacy groups are warning transgender travelers about potential risks entering the United States, including reports of detention and entry denial.

In San Diego, four families are suing Rady Children’s Health, alleging discrimination after the hospital ended gender-affirming care for minors.

The move followed federal threats to cut funding for providers offering such care.

In New York, Attorney General Letitia James is facing backlash for ordering NYU Langone to continue providing care to transgender youth. The hospital had cited regulatory uncertainty in its decision to stop treatment for patients under 19.

The U.S. Department of Justice has signaled it may support the hospital, setting up a potential court battle.

Meanwhile, a coalition of more than 20 states is suing the Department of Health and Human Services over federal restrictions on gender-affirming care.

A federal judge in Oregon recently ruled that the agency overstepped its authority, allowing legal challenges to proceed. New York officials say the decision affirms that care for transgender youth remains legal.

Poland’s top administrative court has ruled that same-sex marriages performed elsewhere in the European Union must be recognized.

The case involved a couple married in Berlin in 2018 whose marriage was initially rejected for registration in Poland.

The ruling follows a decision by the European Court of Justice requiring EU member states to recognize marriages performed within the bloc.

Although Poland still does not allow same-sex marriage domestically, the decision opens the door for legal recognition of thousands of couples.

The Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida was demolished on March 18th.

The venue became a symbol of LGBTQ community resilience after the 2016 mass shooting that killed 49 people—one of the deadliest in U.S. history.

The City of Orlando plans to build a permanent memorial at the site ahead of the 10th anniversary this June.