Green Party sparks searing backlash after local branch says ‘gender-critical views are welcome’

.pn-single-post-wrapper__content-main a { background: linear-gradient(to right, rgba(239,117,172,0.4) 0, rgba(239,117,172,0.4) 100%); background-position: 0 -0.1em; background-size: 0 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat; }

Pitchforks have been raised after a local arm of the Green Party released a statement that welcomed both “gender-critical” and pro-trans views.

The statement was posted on the Brent Green Party Twitter page on Wednesday (29 June) professing the acceptance that the party has for “a range of opinions”, while seemingly catering to none.

“Brent Green Party wishes to be a welcoming and safe place for all, including trans and non-binary people, and including those with a range of opinions including ‘gender-critical’ views and pro-trans rights views,” the statement read.

“We urge everyone in the Green Party to treat fellow members with respect and empathy including those with whom you have a difference of opinion.”

Statement by @BrentGreens #respect #empathy (punctuation revised) pic.twitter.com/t9FfIwpaKx

— Brent Green Party #climatejustice #socialjustice (@BrentGreens) July 1, 2022

You can’t have it both ways. You can either be welcoming towards Trans and non-binary people or welcoming of TERFs.

Users then took to the tweet to express their confusion at the party’s statement, with some pointing out the mutual exclusivity of both viewpoints.

One user said: “You can’t tolerate intolerance, all you’re doing is legitimising hate of trans people.” Another pointed out: “You can’t have it both ways. You can either be welcoming towards trans and non-binary people or welcoming of TERFs. The very notion that you’d try to accept both is ridiculous.”

You can’t tolerate intolerance, all you’re doing is legitimising hate of trans people

— Lisa Severn