‘Offensive’ anti-trans forum sparks outrage
SELF-styled “radical feminists” who liken transgenderism to a “cult”, “social contagion” and a “male fetish” are holding a public forum at Hobart Town Hall.
Women Speak Tasmania plans to hold its event on November 27 despite public backlash, with 18 people writing letters of complaint to Hobart City Council.
Hobart sociologist Geoff Holloway said transgenderism was “a complete denial of sex as binary”.
“I could turn up to the birth registration office and say I could be a wombat and you’d have to affirm my right to be a wombat. That’s how serious it is,” Dr Holloway said.
“It’s ridiculous.
“The trans lobby are using this to assert their rights as trans – men want to become recognised as trans women.”
Councillor Jax Fox said they could not believe council was renting out its town hall to a bunch of “TERFs”, antitransgender feminists.
The group has been rejected by venues twice before, but not by Hobart City Council.
“I cannot imagine any other venue anywhere else in Hobart would be comfortable with hosting such an event,” Cr Fox said.
“It’s illogical, it’s offensive, it’s anti-science, it’s anti-peerreviewed research, and it’s totally discriminatory.”
Former Tasmanian antidiscrimination commissioner Robin Banks said she opposed the group’s anti-trans ideology, but believed the event should nonetheless go ahead.
“I think it should be permitted to go ahead, but it’s really unfortunate that they don’t understand the harm they do to people’s lives through their commentary,” Ms Banks said.
“These are people who don’t do any harm to them. There are a lot of people who are just trying to get on with their lives in a world that doesn’t understand their circumstances.”
Equality Tasmania spokesman Matty Wright said he deplored the group’s views, but agreed it had a right to hold its forum.
To counter those views, Mr Wright said his group would hold a “peaceful presence” in support of trans Tasmanians. “This confected moral panic over trans inclusion divides and distracts Tasmanian women from the real problems women face, like sexual assault, partner abuse and unequal pay,” he said. “Trans and gender diverse people have long been an integral part of our community and have made an immense contribution to Tasmanian society.”
One of the speakers will be de-transitioned trans woman Pauley Johnson, who has reverted to male pronouns after coming out as trans. Mr Johnson still presents as female on occasion, but no longer identifies as such. “I have a desire within me to be a woman, but that doesn’t make me a woman,” he said. “At the moment, gender is being pushed as this pseudoreligious inner soul of a person which is unchangeable. I don’t go along with that anymore.”
Hobart City Council chief executive Kelly Grisby said it did not have a role in approving the content of an event held under a venue hire arrangement.
“The Town Hall ballroom, along with other public venues, is available for hire by any person or organisation for events that are within the law,” Mr Grisby said.
“As detailed in the recently endorsed community inclusion and equity framework and community commitments, the City of Hobart is committed to creating a city that supports and values our LGBTQI community.”
I cannot imagine … any other venue would be comfortable an with hosting such event Councillor Jax Fox