Should Germaine Greer be banned from speaking at Cardiff University following her offensive comments about the transgender community? Georgia Simmonds argues that listening to people say things you think are outrageously disagreeable is one of the best ways to help you form an opinion...
There are many things that Germaine Greer has said throughout her career that I don’t agree with. And I find her opinion on transgender people particularly disappointing. But I respect the fact that she voices her opinion without shame or apology, she exercises her right to with a grit that inspires me to do the same, even if I totally disagree with her views.
In short, Germaine Greer does not believe that a person assigned the gender descriptor ‘male’ at birth (based on their sexual organs) can ever be a real woman. Asked to elaborate on these comments during BBC2’s Newsnight programme last week she defended her views, reiterating ‘I'm not saying that people should not be allowed to have the [sex change] procedure, all I'm saying is that it doesn't make them a woman.’
Greer then went on to suggest Caitlyn Jenner had looked for ‘the limelight that the other female members of the [Kardashian] family were enjoying’ and had acquired it ‘just like that’. Greer believes ‘misogyny played a big part’ in Glamour magazine’s rumoured decision to name Jenner Woman of the Year.
So far, so controversial. Alarm bells are ringing, right?
These comments are certainly problematic – and they provoked Rachael Melhuish, women’s officer at the Cardiff University’s students’ union, to launch an online petition banning Greer from giving a lecture at the University. The petition on change.org reads:
‘Greer has demonstrated time and time again her misogynistic views towards trans women, including continually misgendering trans women and denying the existence of transphobia altogether…
‘…While debate in a University should be encouraged, hosting a speaker with such problematic and hateful views towards marginalised and vulnerable groups is dangerous. Allowing Greer a platform endorses her views, and by extension, the transmisogyny which she continues to perpetuate.’
On first read Melhuish’s statement sounds like an enlightened pledge to protect all women. But it’s intention is to demonise and silence one woman, which is also a bit unsettling.
Melhuish is obviously plugged in to the plight of transgender people to be recognised as they want to be by society, and the petition seems well intentioned. However, denying Greer a platform to speak at an educational institution because she expresses a controversial opinion is not a progressive move (for the record, it’s worked, she will not be attending this particular speaking commitment).
Greer is an inimitable icon of the feminist movement and throughout her career she has stirred debate and incited change. In my experience, listening to people say things you think are outrageously disagreeable is one of the best ways to help you form an opinion.
Since Greer’s Newsnight comments things have escalated to even more abhorrent and ranty heights. Greer said in a statement to the Victoria Derbyshire show: ‘Just because you lop off your penis and then wear a dress doesn't make you a ******* woman… I’ve asked my doctor to give me long ears and liver spots and I’m going to wear a brown coat but that won’t turn me into a ******* cocker spaniel.’
This statement is offensive - devoid of respect and sensitivity. But if this is the path Greer wants to continue bulldozing down, fine, it doesn’t mean we should clamp a hand over her mouth forever more.
Greer is expressing an opinion, not trying to ban anyone from doing anything, so shutting her up in response doesn’t seem like an effective solution.
Here’s hoping the attention Greer’s cutting comments are attracting inspires something positive - the kind of productive backlash that will benefit the transgender community by making more people informed about the prejudice it faces.
- By Georgia Simmonds
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