Corbyn ally urges: ‘Thump a feminist’
JEREMY Corbyn was embroiled in a fresh row last night after a prominent supporter called for violence against women.
Sophia Botha, a transsexual man who identifies as a woman, shockingly claimed it was justified to ‘thump’ Terfs – a derogatory term for feminists who do not recognise transsexual women as genuinely female.
Ms Botha said hitting Terfs – it stands for Trans-exclusionary radical feminist – was a form of ‘self-defence’.
On an internet blog titled ‘Is it ever justified to thump Terfs?’ she said: ‘Considering Terfs want to exterminate all trans women from the planet any violence directed at Terfs by trans women or trans allies is very much a means of selfdefence.’ Ms Botha, a former member of the national executive of LGBT Labour, says she is ‘steadfastly a party supporter’ so long as Mr Corbyn is leader.
Her comments come amid an increasingly bitter Labour split between feminists and transgender activists.
Mr Corbyn is said to be paralysed with indecision on the issue – torn between traditional feminists and a fear of offending the transgender movement.
Labour’s National Executive has delayed a decision on whether to include trans women on all-women parliamentary shortlists. The party declined to comment on Ms Botha’s blog.