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Original poster

R4 now Tuesday 7.51 am

541 replies

somethinginoffensive · 08/06/2021 07:52

Discussing Stonewall.

OP posts:
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12
PennineSpring · 08/06/2021 08:15

I’m still laughing 🤣

JW objecting to being called cisgender 🤣🤣🤣

toffeebutterpopcorn · 08/06/2021 08:14

I’ve never actually heard Debbie speak... in my head they have a Lancashire accent but that could be complete wrong.

Vargas · 08/06/2021 08:14

Now I want to see Emily Maitlis interview a spokesperson from Stonewall...that would be epic.

AuntyFungal · 08/06/2021 08:13

A delightful contrast between the simple, descriptive explanations from SF and full on confusing, attack rant from BC.

The only thing I agreed with from BC was the need to hear from trans people in interviews.

Scrawlit · 08/06/2021 08:13

Oh dear. That was a car crash. Cohen was so bad it made the BBC look biased. The "remove exemptions...such as to single-sex spaces" is still on the SW website - it's the first Google search result for 'stonewall single sex spaces'. I don't understand why he said they weren't campaigning for that.

nauticant · 08/06/2021 08:13

That was lively.

In the intro Justin Webb referred to Stonewall as a "trans rights charity". He said he'd hoped to speak with Stonewall but they refused to come on. Simon Fanshawe came on first to present the GC view. Slightly muddled but decent enough. Then it was Benjamin Cohen who didn't waste time presentating arguments but went straight into a rant throwing accusations about.

Following the rant it really went off-piste. In response to Cohen saying there were no trans people involved in the discussion Webb replied "No 1, you don't know anything about me, no 2 could you answer the question?"

Benjamin Cohen lied about Stonewall not campaigning to remove the Equality Act exceptions.

Then in the middle of more incoherent ranting Webb cut Cohen off saying they had to go to the next segment.

By the end of the interview Webb was oozing contempt which while great to listen to could end up with him being sanctioned by the BBC and taken off this issue. That would be a shame.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 08/06/2021 08:12

In all fairness.... stonewall are in their bunker now aren’t they?

And have you seen the new flag... oh my...

PennineSpring · 08/06/2021 08:12

I that was hilarious!!! Cohen just came across as unhinged and Simon Fanshawe was so eloquent.
I haven’t had a laugh like that for ages! Go Justin Webb!!! Grin

CuriousaboutSamphire · 08/06/2021 08:12

I'm only commenting so I remember to listen to it later 😀

BettyFilous · 08/06/2021 08:11

I spotted that. Three men discussing the impact on women. Where’s Ben’s even-handedness on that omission? Great piece though. Well done Simon AND Ben. Wink

PurpleWh1teGreen · 08/06/2021 08:11

Well that was fun.

MoonCatcher · 08/06/2021 08:11

@somethinginoffensive

Was Ben's point "if I shout enough and claim enough protected characteristics you will agree that there's nothing to discuss here"?
BC was playing protected characteristics Top Trumps. A game in which a trans woman scores highest, and a biological woman scores lowest.
ThrowAwayName01 · 08/06/2021 08:11

This segment of a widely-heard breakfast programme has done the cause so much good. Simon Fanshawe came across as calm and considered, Ben Cohen as angry and ranting. Justin Webb pointed out questions that weren't being answered and challenged on GC being "the polite word for" transphobia. Thank you Today programme. Now if you could please teach Women's Hour a thing or two...!

Avocadowoman · 08/06/2021 08:10

It is utterly telling that the TWAW side of the debate seem incapable of discussing their point of view calmly and rationally.

Just telling people it is bigoted won't cut it. Address the legitimate issues raised and try to win your point of view that way.

rogdmum · 08/06/2021 08:10

That was quite glorious!

Shedbuilder · 08/06/2021 08:09

Justin Webb's been one of the only Today presenters who's openly GC, and he's been quietly pressing our case for more than a year now. I seem to recall him mentioning at some point that he'd seen what was happening in the US when he was based over there — so he was a bit ahead of the game. Kudos to him. He and Emily Maitlis have been pushing from within a captured organisation and deserve acknowledgement.

Letsgetreadytocrumble · 08/06/2021 08:09

I'm going to have to listen to this aren't I? Grin

Benjamin Cohen is such wally. He is also one of those men does actually know what a woman is but only when he needs a 'gestator' to incubate his offspring for him.

tootyfruitypickle · 08/06/2021 08:08

Stonewall are ridiculous not putting someone up. Says it all about them .

BlackeyedSusan · 08/06/2021 08:07

Listen back toffee. Justin's sighs featured heavily.

Justin picked him up on being called via (hence the awks comment)

tootyfruitypickle · 08/06/2021 08:07

On BBC sounds play R4 live and scroll back or it will be on catch up after 9

Soontobe60 · 08/06/2021 08:06

How can we listen to this on catch up???

TheGoodShipObvious · 08/06/2021 08:06

I think Justin Webb just experienced what “no debate” sounds like in reality. Simon Fanshawe reasoned and clear, Ben Cohen shouty and frankly virtually unintelligible. Potentially an own goal for him, but I’m not sure it’ll change many minds.

Original poster
somethinginoffensive · 08/06/2021 08:05

Was Ben's point "if I shout enough and claim enough protected characteristics you will agree that there's nothing to discuss here"?

OP posts:
toffeebutterpopcorn · 08/06/2021 08:04

What happened? I was making the tea and watering the plants!

NellieEllie · 08/06/2021 08:04

Not Gavin, Justin!