TV One news reporter and NewstalkZB host Tim Wilson has attacked Statistics New Zealand’s new gender diverse category, calling it “nuts” and “crazy”, and claiming it’s “dangerous” to legitimise people’s gender identity. The devout Catholic claimed on air last night that gender isn’t a “feeling”, but is a “fact”, saying “it’s not something you can decide that you feel like you are. You’re just made that way.” He went on to say "I think it will just encourage a whole bunch of uncertainty”, and said everyone has some discontent with their body – explaining he wishes he wasn’t so skinny. “I think to legitimise it is very, very dangerous for people with those concerns.” Wilson referred to Caitlyn Jenner by her former male name and used male pronouns for her and incorrectly referred to intersex people as hermaphrodites. Although he got some support from callers with some admitting they were against homosexuality, several callers tried to counter his denigration of transgender people. They called anti-gender diversity people "stuck in the dark ages" and cited suicide statistics amongst those still struggling with their gender and sexuality. And Wilson's views were described as being based on "ignorance." A more detailed summary of Wilson's comments and those of his callers is provided here. If you would like to comment through GayZ.com Daily News, contact us at news@gaynz.com
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 18th July 2015 - 2:54pm