Liberal MP Jarrod Bleijie complains after MyGov asks him about his gender
Image: Photo: Facebook / Jarrod Bleijie MP.
Liberal National Party MP Jarrod Bleijie has been skewered on social media after tweeting a complaint that he was asked about his gender.
“I just phoned MyGov to change my address,” he posted yesterday.
“After giving my personal details I was asked ‘and is it okay to identify you as a male?’
“Now the government is asking born males if they will get offended by calling us males.
“This political correctness BS has gone way too far!”
His complaint has been thoroughly ridiculed, with a few people suggesting the exchange never happened, and others making fun of the Queensland MP’s response.
“Why did you phone a website?” asked one person.
“Wow, respect for people is just awful, isn’t it?” tweeted another.
One person pointed out that Bleijie’s own party is in federal power, suggesting he take his complaint up with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Many criticised Bleijie’s reaction, calling him oversensitive and pointing out that a simple question about gender is important to supporting trans people.
“There are Queenslanders who are impacted by this sort of ignorance and intolerance every day,” tweeted one person.
Another reply summed it up perfectly: “Yes thanks was the only answer needed.”
The Queensland branch of the Liberal National Party has been on the offensive against trans, intersex and gender diverse people, recently making a series of transphobic and intersexist posts on their Facebook page.
Opposition leader Deb Frecklington has publicly spoken against gender inclusivity, calling trans advocates “the thought police” and attacking everything from the state government’s review of birth certificate regulations to the voluntary gender-neutral language guidelines developed for Commonwealth Games volunteers.
What the fuck is wrong with that?
— Happy. (@HappySinger) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/allisongallaghr/status/999067458332852224
Why did you phone a website? A website that is harder to find a phone number on than fill in the change of address form? Are you just making things up?
— Annie (@anniepinkstorm) May 22, 2018
There are Queenslanders who are impacted by this sort of ignorance and intolerance every day. If you must be a politician, I hope you grow up and develop some compassion before you next work in a government again. All around you, people need and expect better.
— Vince Greensill (@vingreensill) May 22, 2018
That never happened, did it Jarrod. You updated your details on the mygov website like everyone else.
— Chris Stephens (@ChrisStephens84) May 22, 2018
“Yes thanks” was the only answer needed
— CuriousKit🔎 (@CateGrin) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/soniaahhh/status/998905949493444609
It's your party in government, tell MT.
— hoddo(peter hodgson) 90 seconds to midnight, tic. (@hoddo461) May 22, 2018
This would have played out a lot better for you on Facebook champ.
— Michael Beveridge (@mickyb273) May 22, 2018
I agree with Jarod! This IS political correct B.S. gone too far!
What a waste of time! I get irritated by such stupid questions which are IRRELEVANT!
Why did he phone and how the hell did he find a telephone number to call?
I can’t see a problem with being asked my gender but why is it necessary? If I phone someone and say “Hullo My name is Henry Smith” the person I am speaking to surely has enough intelligence to assume that I am, indeed, a male and should not even think about asking such a question for when changing an address, contact etc. one’s gender is irrelevant – isn’t it?
Help me, I am a conservative straight white heterosexual man without a disability – I am feeling oppressed!
Cisgender male politician Jarrod Bleijie complains because he is asked a polite question of protocol about his gender. His inability to understand why such a question is either polite or necessary, demonstrates both his life of privilege and his apparent inability to empathise with other people. Australia deserves better politicians.