Theatre company Selladoor has canceled an ‘evening with’ show which was set to be hosted by newly elected MEP Anne Widdecombe over a number of anti-LGBT+ comments she has made.
The Brexit Party member has gained notoriety over branding transgender rights as ‘lunacy’ and supporting business who have refused to serve LGBT+ customers.
More recently, Widdecombe claimed that the scientific advancements in transgender healthcare meant that it was apt to assume that science may one day allow people to “switch sexuality” which would, in effect, “produce an answer” to being LGBT+.
“I’ve merely said that if you simply rule out the possibility of it, you are denying people who are confused about their sexuality or discontented with it, the chances that you do give to people who want to change gender.”
Upon hearing such comments, David Hutchinson, CEO of Selladoor, tweeted that he was “disgusted”, and that his company would never provide a stage for such “vile people”, immediately axing her upcoming show.
Absolutely disgusted at Ann Widdecombe’s comments over the weekend. Took no time in immediately cancelling her planned ‘evening with’ event at one of our @SelladoorVenues. We will never provide a stage for these vile people.https://t.co/IpcU7y90e6
— David Hutchinson (@DaveHutchinson_) June 3, 2019
He told The Stage:
“Following her disgusting gay therapy comments over the weekend, my programming team and I immediately decided to cancel the scheduled event, as we flatly refuse to offer a stage to someone who wishes to promote such vile opinion.”
Hutchinson added: “We welcome everyone in the community to our theatres, and operate a fully inclusive and respectful approach to programming. We don’t seek to prevent discussions where there might be differences in opinion – but in this case, there is no discussion to be had. Ann’s comments are divisive, disrespectful and foolishly ignorant.”
Other British public figures have come forward condemning Widdecombe’s comments. Labour MP Luke Pollard tweeted that he was: “Utterly ashamed to be represented by this vile woman. Being gay isn’t a disease to be cured. Ann Widdecombe is continuing her sick anti-#LGBT campaign.”
Independent MP Nick Boles also claimed: “If only science could produce an answer to the blight of poisonous bigotry that is Ann Widdecombe.”
© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.
comments. Please sign in to comment.