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1/16 A truncated version of my letter to @TheBookerPrizes re @Baroness_Nichol
I write re your disgraceful treatment of this lady who has dedicated her life to public service, striving to improve the lives of vulnerable children, refugees and victims of sexual violence.
I write re your disgraceful treatment of this lady who has dedicated her life to public service, striving to improve the lives of vulnerable children, refugees and victims of sexual violence.
2/ In recent months Baroness Nicholson has been vocal about gender identity ideology, speaking up for women's sex-based rights and spaces and arguing against the medicalisation of vulnerable children.
3/I’m sure you’re aware she co-founded a charity with JK Rowling, another woman who has been vilified for publishing an essay about gender politics and woman's rights.
4/16 After a couple of poorly worded tweets her critics took to social media and urged followers to make a complaint about the Baroness. These modern day witchfinders now labelled Baroness Nicholson a homophobe and petitioned the Booker Prize Committee accordingly.
5/16 Author Damian Barr spearheaded a group of writers baying for the Baroness' blood, in a most disgusting and sanctimonious fashion, demanding that she be removed from her Booker Prize role. Their faux outrage based on the fact she voted against equal marriage ..
6/16 ..in the same-sex couples marriage bill. Barr also made accusations that Baroness Nicholson was making an "Ongoing attack on the LGBT community" and "Propagating homophobic views".
7/16 Baroness Nicholson voted against same-sex marriage. SEVEN YEARS AGO. Even Stonewall was split on the subject at the time. While I may not agree with Baroness Nicholson, she was entitled to vote in the bill however she chose. It's how our democracy works.
8/16 Lord Willetts voted against making the age of consent for gay men equal to that for heterosexual couples. He voted several times against allowing same-sex couples to adopt children. He voted to delay the repeal of the notoriously homophobic Clause 28. A BOOKER PRIZE TRUSTEE
9/16 Why did Barr not demand his expulsion from the foundation I wonder?
And voila, the Booker caved, like a house of cards, Baroness Nicholson was expunged from the literary foundation her late husband helped establish.
And voila, the Booker caved, like a house of cards, Baroness Nicholson was expunged from the literary foundation her late husband helped establish.
10/16 This is a woman I have seen speak with such care and tenderness to a bereaved woman on Twitter. It’s so easy to see what kind of woman she is, if only people had looked before jumping on this purity roundabout.
11/16. I say all this as a woman who campaigned against section 28, spent years campaigning for LGB rights, and who does not agree with Baroness Nicholson on same sex marriage.
12/I6 I find it incredible that she was ‘cancelled’ for either a badly worded tweet or her views on same sex marriage which comes from her religious beliefs, a protected characteristic under UK law. I may not agree with her but she is allowed to hold her view.
13/16 I despise cancel culture.
But then we come to the fragrant Damian Barr. A man who never even thought he might be troubled by someone going through his own twitter history. Why would he? He’s a man on the side of the righteous.
But then we come to the fragrant Damian Barr. A man who never even thought he might be troubled by someone going through his own twitter history. Why would he? He’s a man on the side of the righteous.
14/16 His twitter history contained transphobic, misogynistic, deeply unpleasant tweets. The Baroness would have been appalled by them. He spent yesterday locking down his twitter account deleting his twitter history as fast as his little, sweaty fingers would go.
15/16 Unfortunately for him they were archived first.
I’m sure he will portray himself as a victim.
However there is only one victim in this, Baroness Nicholson.
I’m sure he will portray himself as a victim.
However there is only one victim in this, Baroness Nicholson.
16/16 You owe this Lady who has only shown utter class and dignity throughout this shabby affair a massive apology.
You have discredited her and your own organisation by your cowardly actions.
Women will not forgive and forget.
Shameful.
You have discredited her and your own organisation by your cowardly actions.
Women will not forgive and forget.
Shameful.
