Social media users and famous faces have shown their support for Graham Norton after he reportedly deleted Twitter.
The 59-year-old TV presenter is said to have left the social media site after he received a backlash for comments he made regarding the ongoing transgender debate. When asked about so-called "cancel culture", trans rights and JK Rowling at the Cheltenham Literary Festival, Norton raised the point of accountability and suggested that trans people should speak about trans issues.
The talk show host said: “I'm very aware that, as a bloke on the telly, your voice can be artificially amplified, and once in a blue moon, that can be a good thing, but most of the time, it's just a distraction.
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"Talk to trans people, talk to the parents of trans kids, talk to doctors, talk to psychiatrists, to someone who can illuminate in some way. If you want to talk about something, talk about the thing, you don't need to attach a Kardashian or whatever to a subject, the subject should be enough in itself."
Whilst some applauded Norton’s view for not being one-sided, the comments drew criticism from others.
Harry Potter author Rowling, who has frequently shared what have been seen as gender-critical views, shared the original clip of Norton at the festival and added: “Very much enjoying the recent spate of bearded men stepping confidently onto their soapboxes to define what a woman is and throw their support behind rape and death threats to those who dare disagree. You may mock but takes real bravery to come out as an Old Testament prophet.”
Norton was subject to abuse online and by the start of this week, his Twitter account had disappeared. The Eurovision Song Contest commentator has not confirmed if is this the direct reason behind it.
In the last few days, the #IStandWithGrahmNorton has started to trend and gain momentum. Amongst those showing their support for Norton includes journalist and activist, Owen Jones, who said: “All Graham Norton did is suggest we should listen to trans people and their parents when discussing trans issues. He specifically made it clear he didn't want to be directly involved in the discussion. For that, he's been hounded off Twitter by anti-trans activists.
"It is trans people who are suffering the horrendous consequences of an anti-trans moral panic stoked by media outlets and politicians who will be damned by history. But anti-trans activists have made it clear that they’ll hound other LGBTQ people, too.”
Former Celebrity Big Brother star, India Willoughby, added: “Desperately sad that lovely Graham Norton has been forced off Twitter for saying: 'If you want to know about trans, talk to trans people and their families'."
TV writer Sara Gibbs said: “Graham Norton’s comments were *so* mild that I was initially critical, thinking he could have done more and he still got hounded off of Twitter – for saying people should listen to trans people on trans issues. He attacked no one. He expressed no view.”
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