Fri 14 Oct 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Pebbles Hooper has responded to allegations that she is queerphobic after she made a comment on a queer man’s Twitter account that has caused massive backlash on social media from the LGBTI community. Commenting on a photo tweeted of Auckland queer man and makeup artist Richard Symons dressed in drag, Hooper wrote “@pr1ncessrichard but I’m not surprised such a massive pussy loves dressing up like a girl so much”. Symons called her out for tweets that he says were “absolutely queerphobic and absolutely ableist” and there has been a back and forth argument on Twitter between Hooper and supporters of Symons’ since Wednesday night. Hooper says she made the comment because “Richard Symmons has given himself a pass for well over a year now to voice his vile and hate fuelled opinions both online and in real life, and last night he chose yet again to chime in on the band wagon with people who have called me a drug addict, a racist, and mentally unstable, and found himself at a cross roads when I addressed his tweet.” She says “Richard had the opportunity to speak directly to my face this year and chose not to, he continued to perpetuate online social media bullying from those who have been using a regrettable tweet of mine as their only draw card to attack me when the opportunity presents itself. “My comments were directed at his weak character and exemplifying someone who uses social media as a shield to attack people they scurry from in real life. “His blatant attempt to try and label me a homophobic is almost as deplorable as his previous behaviour and comments. I refuse to be labelled something that repulsive that goes against my entire being, family and upbringing. The attacks I receive online from this kind of absolute fantasy vitriol has become exhausting to the point I'm losing faith in kiwi society when sensationalising a very simple issue is the only way to engage people. I will never back down in calling out online trolls, gay or straight, woman or man, hold yourself accountable for your initiated actions that caused my reaction. Don't play the victim when your character is learned behaviour, not genetic.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 14th October 2016 - 10:37am