Sir, – We are writing in response to the ignorant and offensive opinion piece written by Jenny Hjul in The Courier showing her support of the controversy around JK Rowling’s remarks on transgender rights.
This article showed a lack of understanding on the issues at hand and an incredible lack of compassion and respect.
The tone was inappropriate, insensitive and exclusionary.
It educated no-one on the debate that exists around trans rights and was particularly dangerous for several reasons.
It pedalled the upsetting, offensive and harmful stereotype that a trans woman is a predator, someone to fear.
The writer did not back up this view with statistical evidence nor did she offer any accounts of acts of violence or sexual assault perpetrated by trans women.
This type of fearmongering can only perpetuate the discrimination, abuse and violence suffered by trans people at the hands of cisgendered people.
To offer a statistic to back this view up, stonewall.org.uk published a Trans report in 2018 stating two in five trans people experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity over a 12-month period.
Throughout the article the writer referred to trans women as men or inferred that trans women are men – “mysogynist”, “new breed of man”,”men self-styled as women”.
In doing so she is stripping trans women of their identity and the right to their identity.
We are surprised this paper agreed to publish Hjul’s piece, considering the prevalence of mental health issues in trans people is significantly higher than the general populace.
A 2012 Trans Mental Health Study funded by the Scottish Government that surveyed 889 trans individuals found depression was the most prevalent issue, with 88% feeling they either currently or previously experienced it.
Publishing an article that implied that a trans woman cannot and should not be allowed to identify as a woman is potentially very harmful to the mental health of the trans adults and, perhaps even more significantly, the trans youths in our society reading these views.
Hjul outrageously stated in her piece that “it is hardly Trump level intolerance” – no level of intolerance should ever be viewed as acceptable, and Donald Trump should never be considered a benchmark for tolerance.
We take particular offence to the statement: “This conflict reveals the damage that can be done by fashionable causes that are born not of inequality but fabricated victimhood.”
Trans rights are not a “fashionable cause”, and who is Ms Hjul to describe the experience of the trans community as “fabricated victimhood”?
The idea that the discrimination faced by trans people is a false construct created by the trans community is truly one of the most astonishing and frustrating parts of this article.
Even the headline of Hjul’s article is misleading and inappropriate – “JK Rowling’s transgender views speak for the moderate masses watching a world going mad”.
Who are these ‘moderate masses’ Hjul refers to?
Hjul says herself that the “transgender issue is not a left-right dichotomy”, so she must not mean politically moderate.
And what evidence is there that they (whoever they may be) agree with Rowling?
We do not feel that the world is going mad, only attempting to become a more accepting place for people, no matter how they feel or present themselves, to live the way they want to live.
Laura MacLaren and Rebecca McClune,
Perthshire.
Lifeline for private schools
Sir, – The unintended consequence of comprehensive education was to save many of the smaller public schools which should have gone to the wall.
Gradually as more choice was given to the state sector private schools came under pressure again, but Covid-19 may extend their shelf life.
Despite the country heading into recession, most private schools are reporting increased demand and waiting lists.
The speed with which they set up online lessons, while many state schools really struggled, was a major factor and staff flexibility helped them to swiftly bring back all year groups.
Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found 80% of children in the private sector received online classes, compared to 50% in the better state schools and 20% in sink comprehensives.
State schools were hamstrung by unions telling teachers not to do live video classes if they felt ‘uneasy’.
Rev Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Sowing seeds in a howling gale
Sir, – Covid-19, man- made or recondite.
For every turn of the media kaleidoscope a different picture emerges.
It seems that socially-driven science is dithering at a crossroads where a great many “experts” are broadcasting advice much like a farmer sowing seed in a howling gale.
While some leaders are doing their best, there are certain opposing forces which are taking advantage of the pandemic to further their nefarious objectives.
This dangerous state of affairs can only be corrected by strong, no-nonsense leadership with a realistic sense of direction .
Any qualified volunteers?
Kenneth Miln.
6 Swallow Apartments,
Union St,
Monifieth.
Support your local shops
Sir, – As Scotland continues tentatively down a positive track, we can now look forward to more extensive shopping in person.
Here in Forfar, we have a wonderful array of local, family and chain shops and businesses.
During the restricted period, we were supported very well with volunteers, community groups, small local businesses and large stores, delivering to those who needed it and making shopping possible and pleasant for the rest of us.
Now I would ask everyone to support local businesses and shops.
Things have been very difficult for some.
Who knows what’s ahead of us, so please, let’s support the local traders who in turn employ local folk.
Linda Clark.
Forfar,
Angus.
Is bending the truth now OK?
Sir, – Politics can be a dirty business.
We know that politicians don’t always tell the truth, or the full truth, sometimes they bend the truth, or use diversion, but, in general, in UK politics, blatant, deliberate, consistent untruth has not been acceptable.
It used to be, not so long ago, that such behaviours, if detected, were resignation matters.
So how has it come to pass that it would appear now to be acceptable for our elected prime minister to be a liar.
We used to laugh at Trump, and his constant untruths, but our man, although not in the same outrageous league, is now not far behind him.
And when his untruths are pointed out, he just shrugs, burbles, fiddles with his follicles, and continues, shamelessly, mendaciously onward.
Mr Trump looks as though he may shortly meet his demise, but our man has years to go with his attack on the truth, and at present, it would seem, no way to stop him.
How has it come to this?
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
