British writer Douglas Murray made waves on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher by strongly defending a UK Supreme Court ruling that defines womanhood based on biology, setting off a spirited debate about transgender issues and parental rights.
At a Glance
- The UK Supreme Court ruled that the definition of a woman is based on biology, not self-identification
- Murray described the ruling as a victory for women who have faced defamation and bullying
- Bill Maher and Murray disagreed on whether people can be “born in the wrong body”
- The panel, including Senator Tina Smith, agreed on respecting parents’ roles in decisions about their children’s gender identity
- Murray rejected the concept of sex as a spectrum, maintaining that male and female are distinct categories
Landmark UK Ruling Sparks Debate
During his April 18, 2025, appearance on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Douglas Murray, a commentator from the New York Post, discussed a significant ruling from the British Supreme Court that defined womanhood based on biological attributes rather than self-identification.
Murray expressed emphatic support for the decision, calling it a victory especially for women who have faced criticism and harassment for defending sex-based rights. The ruling represents a significant development in the ongoing global debate about gender identity, biological sex, and women’s protected spaces.
The conversation took an interesting turn when Maher clarified his own position on transgender issues. While acknowledging the existence of transgender people, Maher stated, “But just to be clear, we’re not saying there’s not such a thing as trans, right?
We’re not saying there’s no such thing as someone who is quote unquote ‘born in the wrong body.'” Murray directly challenged this concept, responding, “I don’t think people get born in the wrong body, no,” to which Maher simply replied, “Oh, I do.”
Parental Rights in Gender Discussions
A significant portion of the discussion focused on parental involvement in children’s gender exploration. Maher expressed concerns about policies in the United States that allow children to self-diagnose their gender identity without parental knowledge or consent. The HBO host specifically criticized California’s approach of not informing parents about their children’s gender-related activities at school, suggesting this undermines parental authority in crucial developmental matters.
“But just to be clear, we’re not saying there’s not such a thing as trans, right? We’re not saying there’s no such thing as someone who is quote unquote ‘born in the wrong body.”, said Bill Maher.
Minnesota Democratic Senator Tina Smith, who joined the panel, found common ground with Maher on this particular issue. She agreed that parents should play a central role in decisions about their children’s development, particularly regarding something as significant as gender identity. This moment of bipartisan agreement highlighted how concerns about parental authority can transcend typical political divides, even while other aspects of gender policy remain contentious across party lines.
Biology vs. Spectrum: The Scientific Debate
Murray strongly challenged the increasingly popular notion that sex exists on a spectrum rather than as a binary. He argued that male and female represent distinct biological categories, not points on a continuum. When the conversation turned to intersex individuals, Maher acknowledged their existence but characterized them as exceptions rather than evidence that sex is fundamentally spectral. This exchange highlighted the tension between traditional biological frameworks and newer understandings of sex and gender.
This appearance by Murray comes as part of his broader media tour, which has included discussing his new book about Israel. The episode featuring Murray, Senator Smith, and journalist Matt Welch represents a significant moment in the ongoing cultural conversation about gender identity, biology, and individual rights. While Real Time is currently between seasons, with no new episode on January 3, 2025, this April 18 discussion has already generated substantial viewer interest and commentary across social media and news outlets.
