Claudia McKay An advocate for trans people has delivered a stinging rebuke to National MP Maggie Barry after the previously gay-friendly ex-broadcaster lashed out in Parliament at a lesbian MP, describing transgender issues as "fringe" matters. Claiming the Green Party rarely speaks in Parliament on environmental issues, former TV gardening guru and radio presenter Barry today asked Jan Logie: “What’s your favourite Ms Logie? Ahh … sex change people going into prisons. There’s been a lot of talk of these ‘fringe’ issues.” “As the President of New Zealand’s longest running transgender organisation I was bitterly disappointed with Maggie Barry’s comments on transgender prisoners," responded Claudia McKay of Agender this evening. “I have admired her broadcasting work for many years," McKay notes, "and it is saddening that she seems so ignorant of what trans people are forced to endure in prison.” McKay says she has offered to meet with Barry "to enlighten her on this and any other trans issues she may need information on."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 18th October 2012 - 8:17pm