Aldi accused of ‘grooming and sexualising’ children by selling David Walliams book

A CHILDREN’S book by comedian David Walliams is the subject of complaints in Australia over claims it “promotes transgenderism.”

The Boy In The Dress is aimed at children aged 8-12 and seeks to challenge traditional views about gender. But it has drawn the ire of some customers at Australian branches of the Aldi supermarket, with demands on social media that the book be taken off shelves.

“Aldi – we are so very disappointed in your decision to stock a book within your store relating to transgenderism in children! We would ask that you reconsider your choice to sell it!” wrote Kathryn Woolley on Aldi’s Facebook page. “Family & children must be protected in times where there are those whose agenda is to groom and sexualise them,” she added. Another Facebook user said the themes in the book were “sexually confusing”, adding: “You have overstepped the line. Your role is not to propagate sexually confusing material to minors.”

The criticism comes amid debate in Australia over the rights of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people, with the country split over a forthcoming referendum on gay marriage. Walliams’s book recounts the struggles of a 12-year-old named Dennis who discovers he enjoys crossdressing. In one chapter, he puts on a friend’s dress and goes to school, pretending to be a female French exchange student.

Walliams tweeted a link to a story about the complaints yesterday, adding: “It is hard to believe this is 2017.”

He told The Guardian: “It is disappointing when people express these attitudes, but that is why I wrote the book – to hopefully change the way people think and feel about this subject.”

And not all Aldi customers were offended. One user wrote on Facebook: “If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.” She said: “If these books help a child struggling with their identity find some comfort, they’re worth their weight in gold.”