“I don’t believe in transphobia” — Germaine Greer
Image: Germaine Greer
FEMINIST writer and academic Germaine Greer’s appearance at a Cambridge University Student’s Union (CUSU) event sparked protests from CUSU’s LGBT+ society this week when she was accused, then denied the existence of transphobia.
“I don’t believe in transphobia”, the bestselling author of The Female Eunuch said, according to the Cambridge Student.
“I didn’t know there was such thing [as transphobia]. Arachnophobia, yes. Transphobia, no.”
Greer’s history against trans* women prompted CUSU LGBT+ to boycott CUSU’s weekly Monday drinks and speaker event.
In 1996, she opposed the Newnham College fellowship of trans* colleague Rachael Padman.
She described trans* women in her 1999 book The Whole Woman as “Pantomime Danes” and “men who believe that they are women and have had themselves castrated”.
In 2009, Greer called trans* women “ghastly parodies” of “real” women.
Her controversial opinion attracted the attention of the Queer Avengers, who glitterbombed her at a book signing in 2012.
CUSU LGBT+ with CUSU Women’s Campaign hosted an alternative event that was inclusive of “trans* positive feminism” where trans* feminist activist Roz Kaveny spoke.
CUSU LGBT+ told The Huffington Post UK: “We felt that to invite Germaine Greer back to speak in Cambridge after her actions against Rachael Padman and given her wider transmisogynistic stance was to sweep these things under the carpet and, as such, implicitly condone them by failing to take a stand against them.”
CUSU told Varsity: “The Union maintains its commitment to free speech and, as ever, rejects no platform policies. We neither condemn nor condone the viewpoints of any of our speakers, but provide a neutral forum where they may be questioned and challenged by our members.”
Star Observer I was surprised to see that Warren Lynch who has posted here, and whose comments you deleted so many of yesterday, chose to PM me to abuse me personally.
THIS is the response so many women get to identifying sexism, and I am just so disappointed to see so much of it in the LGBTI community too…
First she knocked Julia Gillard. Now she’s definitely dead to me.
I don’t believe in Germaine xxx
You can’t beat the patriarchy with transphobia. Take your upper middle class white privilege and shove it – a tory world view where everyone should save the planet by buying up large chunks of it and restoring restoring it with private money from… from… oh yes! the sale of books and revenue from tv appearances driven by celebrity status which requires a public profile must be maintained… oh wait…….
I don’t believe in Germaine Greer.
Thought she was dead. See she is not. NO FURTHER COMMENT
She pops out with stupid statements like Fred Nile. It’s just to make sure we haven’t for gotten about her.
Great to observe such strong support for the trans community here.
All those novels and she still can’t buy simple razor and soap to shave armpits and legs.
She doesn’t need to and you probably KNOW it’s a point about women being freed from gendered requirements…
Ugh whatever
I’m sure no one could live up to your impeccable standards, Alfred. *face palm*
The key message being hate the oppressive slurs, but don’t hate the person making them, and especially don’t have any special expectations of them that you wouldn’t assign to a non-celebrity. (But by all means boycott the message of trans-discrimination, and don’t let someone who refuses to change their mind in the face of overwhelming evidence come and trigger people at your university with their presence).
This person is an author. Her opinion on writing is the only opinion that I would rely upon. If she tells me “Here’s how you have a successful writing career…” I listen with a notepad and a pen. If she tells me “There’s no such thing as transphobia.” or that trans* women “ghastly parodies” of “real” women, then I go “Well, she’s got that wrong. There are actual experts in science-based LGBTQ psychology and biology that will tell you she’s wrong.” But the thing is, she has no more chance of having an opinion worth hearing about LGBTQ issues than any other lay person. Celebrity doesn’t automatically make you an expert in all fields, or an open minded empathetic person.
What is with everyone caring about celebrity opinions? She’s an author. If she has an opinion about forging a successful writing career, publish it. It’s probably right. If she has an opinion about LGBTQ issues, don’t publish it, don’t promote her, don’t invite her to speak at your university. It’s got a 50/50 chance of being right, and you’re better off talking to an expert in LGBTQ psychology, because they have a much greater chance of having correct information to share about LBTQ issues. But don’t act as though this author is supposed to be good at understanding LGBTQ issues, or have an opinion on LGBTQ issues which is worth hearing just because she’s famous.
Germaine isn’t the only “feminist” to believe that trans women aren’t real women. People like her are part of the problem.
The whole problem is why in the gay community would you defend someone who is damaging a part of it?
How is this Become Lesbians are being singled out- the whole argument is germane Greer believes this doesn’t exist how is this lesbian bashing? I can’t underStand how people are defending her with comments like this – this is more damaging to our community than who agrees with who on this issue- stand together not divided !! No wonder we don’t have equality when we are so quick to rip shreds off each other. I’m sorry but she is nuts always been Beens nuts – no attack on any group but her she is nuts!!
This started as me just asking for the criticisms of GG to be expressed in ways that were not sexist/misogynist. The resistence to that tells me HEAPS about this community and the misogyny it contains. The ripping to shreds is about the blatant disregard for women.
Omg it’s so not – it’s social media no one is always going to get along but at least don’t be stubborn- can I ask one question do you think her statement is okay yes or no?
which part of it? She gave a whole speech, most of which was about feminism and not transphobia.
Most?? But what about the part?? That’s the question whether it one part or ten it’s still damaging!!
No, that’s not what I mean. A person says 10 things. You ask me if I agree. I need to know which bit you are referring to. I presume you don’t mean the feminism part because I think this entire thread proves how disregarded feminism is…
I think some women need to relax a little. You ask to be treated equal yet scream when you feel offended. .. surely men are able to say its bullshit without being slammed as misognists…. gg is an absolute fool and her days of being useful are well over… ps i am a lesbian
You’re entitled to your opinion. As am I (also lesbian…)
She was great once,now, maybe no.
She was great once,now, maybe no.
What a disappointment. She wrote what was once considered a ‘transgressive masterpiece of feminism’ and has been (more than not) a dissuasive figure of the feminist movement. Her recent words are not merely ‘out of touch’ but blatantly offensive. It’s such a disappointment that a woman of such stature, a woman once recognized for her modern views is nothing but stale, bitter and mean. Germaine Greer IS the exact creature she so vehemently opposed.
Couldn’t agree more!
Germaine Greer has always said what she thinks, and has always been controversial. I for one support these latests omments
Why Ruth?
She is against trans why would you support that – so that’s ok?
WHY CAN YOU NOT UNDERSTAND THAT SEXISM EXPRESSED HERE IS A PROBLEM?
Ruth , Paul and I are waiting to hear from you. Could you please explain why you support these Greer’s comments?
And honestly, this thread just reminds me why as a lesbian I do NOT consider myself as part of the LGBT “community”. So many in that “community” think it is fine to be insulting to lesbians.
It’s not an attack on lesbians at all? It’s about her comments to trans- why must put community always be so defence to attack – if only we United we would be a powerful force!
Misogyny expressed this openly in an LGBT community AFFECTS lesbians.
There are lots of anti lesbian and misogynistic comments here. That is totally an attack on lesbians
How can we be a united community when even a gentle request to cease misogyny in a debate about ideas results in several hours of insults? We can’t be united if the basis of that is expecting women to shut up and get in their box.
Yet equally offensive terms were used towards the men and no one batted an eye. Perhaps before wome stsrt screamkng from the roof about misogyny etc that they might pay attention to how the men are also treated. We should be protecting each other not turning on one another.
I *repeatedly* said that I also found the (abusive) language used towards men to be inappropriate. I *repeatedly* agreed that it should be removed.
Yes, we SHOULD be protecting each other. But telling me to shut up and fuck off for asking men not to use misogyny is the *very antithesis* of this – FYI the worst sexism was deleted by the star observer so is no longer visible.
The misogyny in these comments is depressingly familiar.
Misogyny and lesbophobia – still acceptable hate speech in many people’s views.
*Headdesk* Intersectional Feminists everywhere just cringed. I think if she had any concept of life existing beyond her cis privilege, she might understand what it’s like for Trans* people.
I believe in paying no attention whatsoever to Germaine Greer.
Such a shame that she uses her platform to promote ignorance these days.
I’m asked to censor my self and yet you give this woman voice….great work guys
You are fighting for the right to be misogynistic and lesbophobic??? What a great social justice warrior you are
Your kidding right??
That seems to be what you are fighting for the right to be here?
No…you are mistaken and taking things a little too far…just read all the thread hon…this pc rubbish is going too far….you people really need to stop taking everything to heart and maybe not take offence to a few simple words….the things Ms Greer is saying on her pedestal is far more damaging and offensive than anything I have said….that’s all I am posting here….you people make me feel ill….I’m off this page…sad really
Germaine Greer lost me after her horrendous untimely comments about the death of Steve Irwin!!! It was abhorrent, regardless of what anyone thinks about the Irwin family as a whole… Her latest tirade is nothing more than sensationalism, most likely to drive continued sales of the only book she has really been recognised for… Furthermore, continuing to publish these vile opinions of hers does nothing for the community or to those less educated on the topic… It’s such a shame that such an irrelevant individual as Germaine Greer is still front page news for a gay publication! You’ve done exactly what she wants….
Because you are a transphobic bitch!
I think the most offensive thing here is that Germaine has been given yet another pedestal to spout her ill informed nonsense…
Neither do I Kate Buckle. I take offence at being called an idiot. Star Observer take action!
Who decided what is sexist, as different people take offence to different terminology , please Star Observer.
As a woman and a lesbian, of course I will object to misogynistic and lesbophobic language.
We ask our readers to please engage in debate in a respectful manner. Sexist, misogynist slurs will be deleted as they are in breach of our social media policy which publicly available on our website: https://starobserver.com.au/about/social-media-policy
In respect for that I deleted my original post….now how about the one labelling me a “misogynistic fuckboy”????
So what is good for one is fine for the other? I’m not suprised in the slightest
Well it wasn’t a woman that said that but I agree it was totally offensive and should be removed.
So liz. Couldn’t handle the heat, so ran off to complain. U seemed like a strong person. I no longer think that.
Think what you want. I tagged them first up.
So it seems some can have their say but others can’t? And mind you I did not even swear in my original post….crass suggestion maybe but really??? This is a page that more than often uses the word dick and offers many images that objectify men in a sexual light….should I be offended….no! If I didn’t like it I wouldn’t follow the page…I kinda expect it from a gay magazine/site…
Hear, hear Russ!!!
Double standards….no wonder we as a community cannot unite
Actually it states it’s LGBTI…
By the way Liz, I always think what I want.
And yes exactly double standards. You want to stop transphobia but don’t give a monkeys about sexism. That is EXACTLY what double standards I am talking about.
Hear hear
Ditto warren.
Liz, just because u deem it as sexist does not automatically make it sexist.
Sexism? Half the women I know that are active and highly intelligent lesbians use faaaar worse language when talking about sexual expressionism…..so maybe lighten up hon….pc is getting out of hand
It is sexist, in your opinion.
As I mentioned in my posts that were deleted, Russ.
Might I add feminists to my previous post….Jesus hon…things are going way too far this pc nonsense….
I am not saying to stop swearing, I swear heaps. ALL I have said, and I don’t think it is too much to ask on an LGBTI site, is that when you criticise GG (which you are free to do) that you do not use sexist language because this is meant to be our community too. You would think I had asked you to sacrifice something critical the way you have argued about it.
So if we can’t unite, perhaps we should separate as a community. i have heard worse ideas.
U have asked us to sacrifice our freedom of speech, Liz, as has the Star Observer.
So fuckboy still remains as a slur….not deleted??
NO, I have not. I have just asked, as a matter of respect for the women in this community, that you express yourself in a way that isn’t sexist. Do you see the irony of supporting an OP against transphobia but not giving a crap about sexism?
Rubbish I say….pathetic queens sucking up to an ideal of political correctness of which they have no idea about except what is spoon fed to them by a sad double standard based mass commercial media
Would that not be a double standard lol
Would that not be a double standard lol
The women of the community. That is a huge generalisation, Liz.
I don’t think that u have the right to speak on behalf of all Lesbians. Really??
Anyway I’ll probably ignore or delete this page anyway after this rubbish….I had the balls to admit a May have been a little crass but the comment about me stands….I don’t understand how these things work….Star Observer please explain?????
Lol I never said that. Of course I don’t speak for all lesbians.
And Russ – I agree that the comment about you is not OK and should be removed.
Yet?
well I am not a moderator and can’t delete it…
Btw Liz, I respect the majority of women, no matter what u think.
Meh…
I didn’t comment on your views overall. ALL I asked for was comments about GG not to be sexist.
Here we go.
Sexist in yr view. Getting sick of repeating myself.
I know men that need ” a good dicking” so that comment doesn’t really come off as a sexist comment in my mind
Good luck, Russ. I’m going to sleep.
sleep well
Yep I’m out…it’s been real
I always do
This was thrilling!!!
If only Germaine Greer could be respectful.
Regardless of whether it’s sexist or not, just don’t ever tell people that they need a good dicking. Just, no. Freedom of speech is one thing – nobody is going to send you to jail for saying things like that, but if you need the threat of jail to regulate how you speak to others and treat them, then there is a deficiency in your empathy, respect and consideration towards other humans. Sexism or not, it is sexual harrassment to tell anyone that.