Susan's Place Transgender Resources

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Important Story for UK Trans People (and LGB allies)


Thursday, February 16, 2012

http://->-bleeped-<-yeahftms.tumblr.com/post/17742132163/important-story-for-uk-trans-people-and-lgb-allies (//http:///post/17742132163/important-story-for-uk-trans-people-and-lgb-allies)

Some people who keep up with current trans issues may know that an unknown trans man from the UK recently gave birth to a child biologically. It was reported in the Sunday Times newspaper after a journalist got hold of some information from the Beaumont Society.

If the man in question hasn't stepped forward by now, then he probably doesn't even want to be identified or talked to about this issue. However, this hasn't stopped the press, and this anonymous man is now currently being subjected to a horrific, privacy-invading witch hunt by the UK tabloids.

Wow. :(

Surely there will be some kind of human rights violation in all this.  I agree - the press believes that transpeople are public property. How do they qualify their claim that this person or outing this person is "in the public interest"?  I especially find it obscene that they would use this person to "prove" that transfolk are just "freaks" using the NHS to indulge our "desires", which is what they are trying to do.

Given how the Sun's total lack of morality it doesn't surprise me. I have to admit I think the person in question should get a lawyer and just take that paper for everything. They have had to committed libel if they have published the reasons they state for it to be of interest. It is also a gross invasion of privacy. I would have thought any, no win no pay, law company would be jumping up and down in glee

In case anybody doesn't feel like clicking through -

QuoteThe interim editor of the tabloid newspaper the Sun has also made some utterly deplorable comments, implying that the trans man should be exposed to the public because of "issues" with NHS funding of our treatment, the "welfare" of the child, and the fact that he could "turn out to be a serial killer". No, REALLY. That's the excuse they're using for trying to force out a vulnerable person into the public eye and potentially putting them at serious risk of discrimination and violence.

Also they offered a cash reward for information on the guy.

The source is what concerns me here.

If the Beaumont Society gave the information willingly, then that is an utter scandal. If it was taken dishonestly, or by deception then that is also scandalous.

This is about a baby. The privacy issue surrounding the man, while important, is second to the privacy of a baby.

But the real problem is, that after so many months of holding their caps in their hands and trying to look so sorry, the press are now hitting back and claiming these investigations, especially the arrest of 19 or so journalists in London, has become a witch hunt.

That's the real issue here. The press, even having been caught with their hands in the cookie jar, can still swing ruling class opinion.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4124870/The-Suns-Trevor-Kavanagh-Witch-hunt-puts-us-behind-ex-Soviet-states-on-Press-freedom.html (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4124870/The-Suns-Trevor-Kavanagh-Witch-hunt-puts-us-behind-ex-Soviet-states-on-Press-freedom.html)

I'm hardly surprised that the Sun has stooped to this kind of journalism, after its sister paper (and itself no doubt) have not refrained themselves from tapping-up the phones of celebrities, public figures, murderers and the murdered. Its thoroughly deplorable and should be stopped.

An injunction would stop the paper from revealing the name but they can cost tens of thousands of pounds and only our womanising footballers and celebrities have that kind of money to throw around.

Hopefully common sense, and/or public condemnation, will prevail and they'll leave this unfortunate person alone to spend time with their child, instead of worrying about this witchhunt.

I hate to say it, but I doubt it.

I tend to think Murdoch reckons he's managed to weather this storm and any who matter have lost interest. No doubt the Witch hunt was expressing his confidence that he has little more to fear.

Anyway, he's announce that the Sun will be 7 days a week.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17070555 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17070555)

Um, guys, I posted in community alerts about this:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=115662.msg887151#new (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=115662.msg887151#new)

Yes folks, they're even approaching support groups like mine to try and get info on this guy >:(

Quote from: Nemo on February 17, 2012, 09:16:57 AM
Um, guys, I posted in community alerts about this:

https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=115662.msg887151#new (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=115662.msg887151#new)

Yes folks, they're even approaching support groups like mine to try and get info on this guy >:(

Thanks Nemo. :)
I think it's good that it's cross-posted though. This is kind of a sickening situation.