A transgender advocacy group is calling for Tim Wilson to back up his apology over his “radio attack” on gender diversity with some further action. Kelly Ellis suggests a donation to Rainbow Youth The Newstalk ZB host apologised last night over his Friday night show where he compared being trans to living in Invercargill or feeling like a frog, and said Statistics New Zealand’s new gender diverse category was “dangerous” as it would legitimise people’s gender identity. He said it was a robust show, but “prejudice is always wrong and transgender and intersex people – they’re unique. And they have so much to teach us. I wanted a lively and balanced show, and some of you didn’t feel that was the case. And for that, I am truly sorry.” Kelly Ellis of TransAdvocates says she is left questioning the sincerity of Wilson's apology. “I reckon we need to see real contrition. No doubt he was taken out the back for spanking by the boss after his ill-advised and prolonged radio attack on our community. Let's see him step up to the mark and give the microphone to the people he tried to oppress," the Northland lawyer says. “I suggest he gets makes a donation to Rainbow Youth or some other organisation trying to lift people up not trample them down.” Ellis adds, “I'm deadly serious about this - it's all very well doing a bit of hand-wringing, but if he wants to show he genuinely cares about the kids so at risk of suicide, he needs to get one or two on his show. Anything less reflects on the authenticity of his apology.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 20th July 2015 - 10:58am