We have decided to withdraw from publication the Julie Burchill comment piece ‘Transsexuals should cut it out’. The piece was an attempt to explore contentious issues within what had become a highly-charged debate. The Observer is a paper which prides itself on ventilating difficult debates and airing challenging views. On this occasion we got it wrong and in light of the hurt and offence caused I apologise and have made the decision to withdraw the piece. The Observer Readers’ Editor will report on these issues at greater length.”
— Statement from John Mulholland, editor of the Observer, on Julie Burchill’s vile transphobic rant.
Mr. Enemabag Jones
Yeah, but Julie Burchill is still employed by the paper. A bit of info from her past–she dated a woman for six months in order to get to the woman’s younger brother. And she’s been trading on that sham lesbian relationship for years, presenting herself as a voice for lesbians–and writings books to line her pockets.
2eo
Shame she’s still employed, but we are the country whose powers that be thought Ruth Kelly [opus Dei member and vicious bigot, like ALL members of this weird sick cult] was an acceptable minister for education, so frankly an apology is a massive step up.
GeriHew
@Mr. Enemabag Jones: I’m not trying to defend her, but I really don’t think Julie Burchill presents herself as a voice for lesbians, and I really don’t agree that her relationship with Charlotte Raven was a sham. Even though it’s true she did basically dump Charlotte for her brother.
Burchill is quite clearly bisexual, although she would never call herself bisexual because she hates the sound of the word. Charlotte Raven is also bisexual, and like Burchill she’s married to a man now as well.
I feel that to deny that Burchill is bisexual and accuse her of having a sham lesbian relationship is actually kind of letting her off the hook somehow. I mean the fact that she’s bisexual makes her transphobic comments that much worse.
That’s if you take her seriously. Which really no one should.
Thedrdonna
@Mr. Enemabag Jones: Yeah, I’m going to have to agree with GeriHew on this one: Julie Burchill is a vile enough person on her own merits, we don’t need to bring dubious accusations based on biphobic arguments into it. That doesn’t help the cause, and quite probably hurts it.
Mr. Enemabag Jones
@GeriHew:
@Thedrdonna:
Dating a woman for six months does not a lesbian, nor bisexual make. The fact that during an interview she stated flatly that she only became interested in a woman, because she “fancied” her brother speaks volumes about Ms. Burchill.
When she released “Sugar Rush” she went on ad nauseum about how SHE was the voice of “new” lesbianism.
You’re both welcome to categorize her as a bisexual, but I’m not willing to do as such–she uses her “bisexuality” as an excuse anytime she wants to lambaste queers for some slight, whether real or imagined.
She is a bitter, angry heterosexual who cannot fathom the idea that other people suffer as much–and in many cases, more–than she herself.
Thedrdonna
@Mr. Enemabag Jones: Do you have a link to that interview?
Mr. Enemabag Jones
@Thedrdonna:
Considering it was published nine years ago, I seriously doubt I will find it now.
GeriHew
@Mr. Enemabag Jones: She’s bisexual. Believe me I know. I’m bisexual. I knew Fran, the mother of Burchill’s second husband. Fran was bi too and there were lots of bi women in her circle. But Julie wasn’t interested in her. Far too old.
The thing is, as I see it, she’s bisexual but not really bi-emotional. Ms Burchill is very attracted to young women but finds them far too emotional. That’s why she much prefers relationships with men.
Mr. Enemabag Jones
@GeriHew:
Feel free to continue defending the indefensible.
GeriHew
@Mr. Enemabag Jones: Excuse me?
WTF is that meant to mean?