Labour MP Nadia Whittome expertly explains why ‘fetishising debate’ around trans rights rolls back equality and inflames hate
Nadia Whittome. (Ollie Millington/Getty Images)
Labour MP Nadia Whittome has expertly explained why the obsession with “debate” over trans lives has inflamed hatred towards the transgender and non-binary community.
In a piece for Indy Voices, Whittome explained why the incessant, toxic debate about trans people and Gender Recognition Act reform has become an “effective rollback” of trans equality.
“We must not fetishise ‘debate’ as though debate is itself an innocuous, neutral act,” Whittome wrote.
“If someone wanted to initiate a debate about whether women are innately less intelligent than men or whether disabled people should be paid the same level of wages as non-disabled people, we would rightly be appalled at such a suggestion.
“The very act of debate in these cases is an effective rollback of assumed equality and a foot in the door for doubt and hatred.”
Whittome’s defence of the trans community came after she condemned Liz Truss on Wednesday (July 22) for “fanning the flames of populist hate” with her “quibbling” over Gender Recognition Act reform.
The 23-year-old Nottingham East MP held Truss to account over her promise to publish the results of a huge 2018 public consultation on potentially reforming the GRA this summer – with Truss then saying, for the first time, that the government would “not be rolling back the rights of transgender people”.
Attacks towards trans people are up 40% on last year.
I challenged Liz Truss today to stop fanning the flames of populist hate and publish the GRA consultation.
I'm pleased her response was positive and will be keeping a close eye on what action follows. pic.twitter.com/XTnFBHnWxP
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) July 22, 2020
Piers Morgan upset by Nadia Whittome.
As Nadia Whittome’s defence of trans people trended online, Piers Morgan – who last year mocked non-binary people by saying he “identifies as a two-spirit penguin” – was offended.
“Good grief,” the Good Morning Britain presenter tweeted.
“How can a democratically elected MP have such a dreadful view of debating? Even by woke standards this is absurd.”
Whittome’s swiftly rebutted Morgan’s attempt to spin her comments.
“In the past there were ‘debates’ on allowing openly gay and bisexual people in the military,” she tweeted.
“I clearly mention debate in this context: creating a debate about people’s fundamental rights or equal status is a hostile act.
“Don’t spin it to stoke a right wing feeding frenzy.”
https://twitter.com/robholley/status/1286616223153881089?s=20
