RTE has revealed its disappointment that Dublin Pride ended their partnership – but high-profile figures and rights groups have welcomed the shock split.
In the middle of Pride Month, the State broadcaster and Ireland’s key LGBTQ group spectacularly divided amid controversial discussions on RTE radio.
Dublin Pride announced the termination on Tuesday because it was "angered and disappointed" by talk about the transgender community on RTE’s Liveline radio show.
Read More: RTE's Ryan Tubridy defends Liveline and says show is to ‘inform the ignorant’
RTE responded today and stated: “Public discussion - sometimes uncomfortable, difficult, and contentious - is central to RTE's prescribed purpose.
“RTE is acutely aware that discussions on issues such as gender and identity are deeply personal to many. It is important we listen to them.”
But well-known local celebrity Panti Bliss, whose real name is Rory O’Neill, hit back, tweeting: “If you want to know about trans people, talk to trans people.
“This is especially true if you’re going to talk about them in print, on TV, or on the bloody radio.”
Rights groups, the Anti-Conversion Therapy Coalition (ACTC), and Dublin Lesbian Line also issued criticisms of RTE and welcomed the end of Dublin Pride’s partnership with the station.
Dublin Lesbian Line tweeted: “Trans and non-binary people are absolutely central to the LGBTQIA+ community and Dublin Lesbian Line is a strongly trans inclusive organisation.
“We vehemently denounce facilitation of a transphobic live debate which puts the safety and lives of trans people in danger.”
ACTC said: “We welcome the decision by Dublin Pride to terminate their media relationship with RTE, given RTE’s role in platforming transphobia during the past week.”
It claimed the talks on RTE radio “voided the idea of an equal debate because one group may advocate harmful ideologies against a minority group under the guise of reasonable debate”.
ACTC has now called on RTE to apologise, while Panti Bliss added that “demonising trans people” is “hate speech”.
The well-known figure said: "Painting trans people as a danger is hate speech. Calling for trans healthcare to be stopped is hate speech.
"Discussing trans people as a problem to be fixed is hate speech."
Dublin Pride said Liveline "breached trust with our community and causes untold hurt" and accused RTE of fanning "the flames of anti-trans rhetoric".
The group challenged RTE on Tuesday to make "amends for this situation".
RTE responded the next day and pledged to continue "to stand with our LGBTQ+ staff and the wider community during Pride month and beyond.”
A spokesperson added: “In time, we hope that we will once again get the opportunity to continue to develop our partnership with Dublin Pride".
Pride month lasts throughout June, with the Dublin Pride march and parade both being held this, with the Dublin Pride Festival then scheduled for June 22 to 28.
Dublin Pride organisers said the events provide “an opportunity to showcase the many LGBTQ+ organisations working within the community along with ally groups who take a visible stand in support of LGBTQ+ people”.
More information is available about the Pride events on the dublinpride.ie website.
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