Simon Callow article in The Times

Shame it’s just in the Scottish edition - the Times should run it nationally, as it’s relevant across the whole UK

Indeed. Labour leader pressured shadow equalities minister to meet Stonewall and only Stonewall. So many examples of this.

Assuming Stonewall are right is the lazy take.

Very lazy and these days disingenuous when policy and HR staff KNOW there is an issue with SW

Brilliant, well done and thank you Simon Callow.

When people like him and Simon Fanshawe speak out against this, it's harder for them to be dismissed, given their work and history. Helps that they're men too, not ''hysterical women'' making a fuss over nothing.

So far, the only counter argument I've seen to this is ''he's got maggots in his brain''. Quality argument from the 'no debate' side, as ever 🙄

When someone senior, respected and who spent time at the actual coalface of gay rights in the dark days says "it's time for a rethink" I'd like to think reasonable people might listen.

The reasonable people aren't in charge any more sadly.

It's excellent when sensible people spell it out in sensible ways.

The professor (forgotten who) who commented on radio 4 pm a while ago is absolutely right; all this has been blown up by social media, twitter and YouTube and to an extent Facebook too.

Everyone's now so polarised in their views though that the times is immediately written off as bigoted. Luckily someone with his respect is heard.

Shame it’s just in the Scottish edition - the Times should run it nationally, as it’s relevant across the whole UK. Although granted, Sturgeon and co are enforcing this crap when Boris is not.
Does anyone have a link to Callow on Twitter? I’d like to read, but I’m not a Twitterer.

Well done that man.

What a brick.
I know the stonewall clique get called woke, but it is really like seeing people waking up. Assuming Stonewall are right is the lazy take. Engaging brain and thinking things through for yourself and having the courage to put that out in public when it might affect your bookings. Applause.

So that's Mathew Parris , Simon Fanshawe , Simon Callow , plus Bev Jackson and Kate Harris. The dam is breaking. If we could only get Oscar Wilde on a Zoom call. He'd make bits of these Stonewall spoofers.

Absolutely bloody fantastic. I really hope this makes a difference.

And so it begins, women thanking Simon Callow are accused of hate and he is not.

When you see the difference in replies to female and male, you see that sex matters and you can't unsee it.

Couldn't be happier❤

Try that again...

"Stonewall said: ”We are working towards a world in which all lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people are able to thrive as themselves. We’re very proud of our work towards trans equality, as well as our work for all lesbian, gay, bi and queer people. From LGBTQ+ inclusive education to equity in healthcare, our work helps all LGBTQ+ people.”

That's just it though isn't it? Lesbian, gay and bi people are NOT THRIVING. pre-LGB kids are TAUGHT that they're not themselves. LGB don't want the 'Q'. Queer is a slur. Heterosexual celebrities claiming to be queer. Social Workers trying to protect children are suspended or sacked. Women losing their jobs. Women self-selecting out of jobs in the public sector and woke companies. Men's sexual fetishes around female bodied trauma prioritised in rape crisis centres, breast-feeding classes, still birth groups. Males forcing their way into women's groups and all women short-lists. MRAs Taking over political parties like scottish greens demanding the 'right' for males to be forensic examiners of rape victims, objectifying women's bodies, making women THINGS. SNP and Scottish Greens forcing self-id. children TAUGHT that their masculine or feminine traits mean 'wrong sex'. American Pharma thriving with every child on the train. MRAs are thriving. Men wanting access to women and children are thriving. . The rest of us? No, not thriving. Not thriving at all.

I'm delighted with this, thank you Simon Callow!

Agree Nonny. I said similar above quoting the same paragraph but it was deleted.

"Stonewall said: ”We are working towards a world in which all lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people are able to thrive as themselves. We’re very proud of our work towards trans equality, as well as our work for all lesbian, gay, bi and queer people. From LGBTQ+ inclusive education to equity in healthcare, our work helps all LGBTQ+ people.”

You know what really angers and upsets me about Stonewall and other gender zealots? The utter betrayal and undermining of the L, G and B.

The gender zealots are not content with making up their own definitions for trans, queer and the other trailing alphabets. No, they are determined to break any link with SEXuality for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. Already on the Stonewall website, it claims homosexuality is an outdated and offensive term. (Newsflash: it's not) They want to brainwash younger generations by avoiding the connection between the terms lesbian/gay with homosexuality. So now lesbian and gay no longer means same sex attraction, but same gender attraction.

Bisexuality was the last remaining one with links to SEXuality. First, the gender zealots pronounced that bisexuality is an attraction to two or more genders. But the SEX in bisexual was an awkward reminder of reality. Observe now that bisexual has morphed into bi. I've even seen some bisexual groups overrun by gender zealots who call it bi+. I mean, what the fuck does bi+ even mean?!?

This is a sinister assault on the reality of sex underpinning homosexuality and bisexuality (and by extension heterosexuality). They want to obscure and break any link or reference of human sexuality to reality. Younger generations are being g***d into thinking terms like lesbian, gay and bi are frivolous labels that are based on some nebulous feeling rather than a factual term for describing the nature of sexual orientation. It's so upsetting.

The gender zealots demand respect for their endless gender identities but refuse to respect homosexuality and bisexuality. I am biSEXual and not ashamed of my attraction to both sexes. Leave my sexuality alone you fuckers! Get your own bloody words instead of changing ours!

I saw Callow’s Dickens show at the Edinburgh fringe many years ago. It was fab.

I’m going out on a limb here, but I think that, perhaps, when the CEO of Stonewall likens acknowledgment of same-sex attraction to antisemitism that might be somewhat problematic for Callow. But it’s even better that his quotes in that times piece focus on women’s rights. He’s a mensch.

This is brilliant. Simon Callow has been prominent and reasonable for years. He won’t change the mind of transactivists but may help some Stonewall Champions start to ask questions about what they are being asked to do.

Of course he's trending....this is Simon Callow, he has gravitas. Love him

I am so pleased to see this article. Thank you to Simon Callow.

He’s trending on Twitter btw

He has said what millions of us are thinking. It is incredibly brave for such a public figure, and a founding member of Stonewall to speak so honestly and practically. I bloody love Simon Callow. Good man. He's not a misogynist. This issue really shows who is and who isn't from the old school clause 28 campaigners.

Thank you Mr Callow, I especially liked this bit “When it impinges on women’s rights, hard-won women’s rights, the right to exclusive spaces for women, away from any threat at all — I think that’s a very serious issue.”
I also enjoyed your book on Dickens x
This situation is so crazy, how have we come to this with the most massive changes to society sneaked in with no discussion?

What a lovely person; huge respect to him for putting his head over the parapet.

Oh I’m so glad that he’s come out and said this after Ian McKellen being such a disappointment.

I already loved and admired SC as an actor and an all round good egg. 100x more today!