Men in Comedy and Transgender People

[TroglodytesTroglodytes]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66534454

Just been reading about Graham Linehan getting cancelled due to his opinions in the trans debate. At work, I listen to podcasts everyday day and a lot of these are UK or USA comedy podcast. It strikes me that so many of these comedians have an almost obsessive interest in the subject and bring it into every interview. I enjoy listening to these and I love GL’s work like Father Ted. I just don’t understand why these (mostly men) see it as such a main issue and keep going on about it. IRL I see the odd trans person and there are a couple of non-binary students that are at my children’s school. I may have had a discussion with people about trans a few times in the past five years. In my experience people have a passing interest but the experience of the people on these podcasts suggests that it is the most important issue. AIBU to think that most people are not bothered if a man wants to be known as she/her and transition? I just wonder why people like GL want to hold this particular issue up as a beacon for free speech.

It is not about trans people losing rights, it is about some trans people being determined to take away the rights of others, the rights of women to same sex spaces, to using accurate language that refers to our bodies and biology, the rights of children not to be harmed physically or emotionally because people are afraid to challenge safeguarding issues.

It is also about the right of all of us to free speech, the right to say people can’t change sex, that a transwoman is a man, that a transman is a woman, that gender is a social construct that should not be awarded the strength of legal status or used to bully people in the school, university or workplace.

Yes, I know, not sure others on this thread get that though.

That’s why there’s no harm in spelling it out again, and again, and again!

So basically, you're here on a women's forum telling us that women's rights are not important.

Firstly because it is important.

secondly because there is something inherently funny about people angrily insisting they are the opposite sex, it’s just absurd.

I think the OP was being deliberately provocative. I note their user name and the fact they have not returned.

Which other men in comedy, OP, are standing up and holding these views that support women?
Because I would like to support all of them.

Ahhh. The old "in RL no one cares about this" and the "they aren't interested in real issues so obsess over this" chestnuts.

1. I know many people in RL who care very much. They care about their daughters having grass roots sporting places stolen from them and crime figures being inaccurately and falsely recorded as womens crimes. Unfortunately they fear for their jobs and don't wish to become SM targets so keep quiet.

1. It's perfectly possible to care about many issues at the same time. MN is one of the few places women can gather and discuss this issue. And the volume of discussion shows many of us are very concerned.

Interesting timing in attacking Linehan, or should I say posting about him with a wide-eyed naivete and bafflement. Given the Reduxx article.

> budges up next to Strawberries to see some actual real answers to this question <

‘IRL no one obsesses over this issue.’

oh I think they do

If it hasn't affected you in RL then sit back and bask in your privilege.

Me personally, it's fucking galling to have a 6'5 sex offender/predator stand in front of me telling me he's a woman which I then have to pander to and record his details and the crimes he has committed as 'female'. His feelings are more important than mine and to say otherwise is transphobic. So sick of this shit.

Cheerleading young people to take puberty blockers and cross sex hormones. Chopping off working body parts to replace them pretend organs. Unlikely to experience an orgasm.

All to fulfill the absolute lie that humans can change sex.

I mean reading that back, actually perhaps my having an issue with this does make me a bigot

If you are ok with autistic/potentially gay children being sterilized and mutilated, rapists being locked up with vulnerable women in prison, victims being forced to refer to their male attacker as "she" in court, sex offenders being able to self identify as the opposite sex and hide their previous identity, males taking all the medals and money in women's sports (just to name some of the issues), then I guess YANBU.
But I think you are definitely being unreasonable.

I take issue with stating all trans individuals with being rapists and child abusers. That, I find offensive and the similarities to the abuse gay people used to receive.

Personally, I love the blind acceptance of these "non-binary" students at the school. As if that is completely rational and requires no further explanation and no opportunity for confusion

Yes indeed. The daughter of a friend of mine came out as non-binary a couple of years ago. Since then she has had testosterone and top surgery.

These are not victimless crimes.

And I have nothing against transpeople per se, I blame the pharmaceutical industry and irresponsible professionals who made this such a fashion that, even though people like the OP say they hardly know any transgender people it is the go to demographic for diversity and inclusion policies.

Having opinions one way or the other about women's sports, children's medicine or female spaces (which trans people have accessed for years without issue) etc is one thing.

Tweeting obsessively about trans people, digging up every article you can find on trans crime (which would be easy to do with any given set of people, spitefully misgendering people, comparing trans affirming care to Nazi eugenics and insinuating trans people are pedophiles (he also insinuated H from steps was a child abuser!) is where it starts to turn in to hateful speech which has led to a rise in attacks on trans people.

Free speech does not mean freedom from consequences. The venue have every right not to be affiliated with his views.

There will be a statue built of Glinner when this war is won. What a hero that man is.

History will be so kind to him and JK for good to triumph over evil.

Andrew Neil won't be forgotten in the history books but too late to the party.

On Christmas Day alone last year, he sent out 100 tweets about trans people. He's just knee deep in hatred.

@Ladybrrrd you got stats for those attacks on trans people?

This redditor sums its up better than me. 2638 tweets in May 2020, 88 a day. Anecdotally having looked at his twitter, that sounds about right.

Admittedly he's slowed a little now - 22 tweets and retweets so far today, (12 just tweets). It's still early in the day so I'm sure he'll catch up.

Hopefully!

He's lost his family fighting the fight over this, so no wonder it consumes him.

I just think it must be exhausting to be that utterly obsessed with a group of people, and put that much energy trying to dig up dirt.