Mhairi Black likens gender critics to racists

Critics of transgender ideology are akin to ‘ignorant racists’, the SNP’s Mhairi Black has suggested.

Mhairi Black MP, SNP deputy leader at Westminster, likened those who disagree with her pro-trans views to intellectuals of the past who made racist statements.

Black, who is to step down at the next general election, made the controversial remarks before an audience at the Edinburgh Fringe on Tuesday.

Ill-informed

Speaking at an event hosted by journalist Graham Spiers, Black said: “Once upon a time intellectuals made great prolific statements about race”.

“We now rightly look back” on their comments, she continued, “and go, ‘You were a racist. You might be an intellectual, but what you were saying was racist’”.

She added: “If you’re not educating yourself on things, then you can’t complain when people from a minority say, ‘You’re not treating us right’, and that’s exactly what’s happening with the trans community right now.”

‘Keep it to yourself’

When asked whether anyone with an opposing view to her on trans issues could still be “a thoroughly decent person”, Black replied, “If you keep it to yourself, aye”.

She claimed that “bad actors”, often funded by “fundamental Christian groups in America, Baptist groups, anti-abortion organisations”, were “radicalising” vulnerable people against the trans community.

Hitting back, For Women Scotland’s Susan Smith said: “Women who disagree with her should not be forced to be silent like some latter-day scold, nor are they the racist or religious fundamentalist bogeywomen.”