Thousands call for Brighton International Women’s Day to axe Germaine Greer appearance
(Kane Hibberd/Getty Images)
Tens of thousands of people have called for an appearance by Germaine Greer on International Women’s Day in Brighton to be called off.
The feminist speaker is set to appear at the Dome in Brighton on 4 March.
Those calling for her appearance to be cancel recognise her contributions to the feminist movement, but say she shouldn’t speak because of her views on transgender people.
A petition has gathered over 12,000 signatures.
It reads: “Brighton & Hove City Council has attached their name to Trans Pride, as a proud supporter of trans rights. It is hurtful that the City Council’s property The Brighton Dome would therefore support a woman that has such hateful views towards trans people that directly harm and stigmatise us further. ”
The campaign to have Greer removed from the billing also notes the Dome, as well as Brighton and Hove City Council’s commitment to transgender rights.
In the past Greer has spoken out against “man’s delusion that he is female”, claiming trans women are “some kind of ghastly parody” that will never be women because they do not know what it’s like to have a “big, hairy, smelly vagina”.
The author has since caused more outrage, referring to Caitlyn Jenner as a “he/she” who “wanted the limelight that the female members of the family were enjoying”.
Speaking to the Victoria Derbyshire Show, a “pretty cross” Greer issued a sweary rant about trans people.
Greer’s statement, which Derbyshire bravely recounted to trans actress Rebecca Root, says: “Just because you lop off your d**k and then wear a dress doesn’t make you a f***ing woman.
Challenged on her views, she later said “I don’t believe them. Sorry, you can hold a knife to my throat. I don’t believe you.”
On another occasion, she also said she could “call herself a Cocker Spaniel” but wouldn’t be accepted as one.
She later claimed that it is “unfair” for trans women to be married to other women.
Greer’s comments are surprising given she supports equality for lesbians – insisting “the problem with gay marriage is not the gay bit but the marriage bit.” She has previously opposed male same-sex parenting on the grounds of “motherhood”.
