I get the feeling Basil has never really had to think too deeply about things: firstly because he’s a light entertainer, and secondly because of his pretty privileged lot in life.
The issue of trans athletes is challenging; sporting associations are forced to draw a line (arguably an arbitrary line) between male and female. Even if Basil thinks that’s an easy decision (it’s not) you have to be conscious that what you say about trans athletes ripples out and affects trans and gender diverse people everywhere. Thoughtless comments from the Lord Mayor have the potential to cause harm to a vulnerable group, and gives credibility to people that aren’t just thoughtless but openly hostile to gender diverse people in any situation.
Even using the word ‘hermaphrodite’! Look, I get that it can be challenging to keep up with which words are problematic, but if only 20% of people understand that the preferred word is intersex, that 20% should include the bloody Lord Mayor of Perth!
There is something about the way he said “If you’ve got penis mate, you’re a bloke. If you’ve got a vagina, you’re a woman. Game over.”
It’s the ‘Game over’ but that riled me up. I’m less perturbed that he expressed a view I consider is wrong; what irritates me is that in his mind it’s not even nuanced or complicated or open to people to have a different view. It just speaks to a lack of genuine interest or engagement with the world. For such a small throwaway line, it’s just so bloody callous.
Sorry, this got a bit soap-boxy.
