EDITOR91裸聊视频橲 NOTE: This story includes phrases that readers may find upsetting.

Recent Twitter activity by Kelowna-Mission MLA and BC Liberal Party gender equity critic Renee Merrifield has some calling her out for promoting transphobic views and people.

One of the posts in question happened on Jan. 3, when Merrifield quote-tweeted Jordan Peterson, who is well known for refusing to use gender-neutral pronouns and amplifying transphobic rhetoric. In another instance, Merrifield liked a tweet from Kara Dansky, an author who has called transgender people 91裸聊视频渁 lie.91裸聊视频�

Peterson91裸聊视频檚 original tweet didn91裸聊视频檛 have to do with transgender people directly, but concerned disciplinary action taken against him by the College of Psychologists of Ontario over public comments he91裸聊视频檚 made. Peterson said in a column of his own after the fact that he is being accused of being transphobic, among other things.

In her own tweet, Merrifield called the college91裸聊视频檚 action against Peterson 91裸聊视频渟cary,91裸聊视频� adding that 91裸聊视频渨hen silence is demanded and threats made, democracy ends.91裸聊视频�

BC Liberal Caucus Press Secretary Andrew Reeve said in a statement Thursday (Jan. 5) that Merrifield doesn91裸聊视频檛 support Peterson91裸聊视频檚 views on transgender people, nor his refusal to use gender-neutral pronouns.

But Simon Fraser University sociology professor Travers (who goes only by their last name) said just the action of promoting people like Peterson is dangerous.

91裸聊视频淚t normalizes anti-trans sentiment,91裸聊视频� they said in an interview.

The Jan. 1 Dansky tweet Merrifield liked is equally concerning to Travers. In it, Dansky called a U.S. Court of Appeals decision that bans transgender students from using school bathrooms that reflect their chosen identities 91裸聊视频済reat news.91裸聊视频� Merrifield has since unliked it.

91裸聊视频淥nce she saw it being incorrectly interpreted as her opinion with those screenshots circulated by the NDP, she wanted to distance herself from it,91裸聊视频� Reeve said.

Travers said they don91裸聊视频檛 believe Merrifield was ignorant to what she was doing by liking the tweet, though.

91裸聊视频淎nd if they are ignorant, they have no excuse for it. Public officials need to be held to a higher standard.91裸聊视频�

Concern over Merrifield91裸聊视频檚 actions was originally brought to light by Chilliwack-Kent NDP MLA Kelli Paddon, who called for the BC Liberal Party to remove Merrifield as gender equity critic.

I91裸聊视频檓 disgusted to see Kevin Falcon91裸聊视频檚 critic for Gender Equity and Inclusion promoting transphobic views and defending Jordan Peterson, who is well known for his transphobia and sexism. - please remove as gender equity critic immediately.

91裸聊视频� Kelli Paddon MLA (@kellipaddon)

The BC Liberal Party has said it will take no such action, though.

In her own response to the criticism, Merrifield tweeted an old clip of her commenting on the Transgender Day of Remembrance and calling her party allies of transgender people.

While the BC NDP attack me personally, I will continue to rise in the legislature and use my platform to advocate for trans rights. #

91裸聊视频� Renee Merrifield (@ReneeMerrifiel3)

B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon compared the tweet to someone saying they can91裸聊视频檛 be racist because they know a person of colour.

Ahh yes. 91裸聊视频淚 read this statement so I can91裸聊视频檛 be transphobic91裸聊视频� is kinda of like 91裸聊视频淚 can91裸聊视频檛 be racist because I know a guy..91裸聊视频� Playing to the fringe may help the BC Liberals with their base but it puts us back as a society.

91裸聊视频� Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav)

People online also raised concerns about some of the individuals and organizations Merrifield follows, which use language like 91裸聊视频渄etransitioners,91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频渆vidence-based care,91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频渁 woman is an adult human female,91裸聊视频� and 91裸聊视频�#IStandWithJKRowling91裸聊视频� in their Twitter bios.

Travers said this is all language that indicates transphobic views. 91裸聊视频淓vidence-based care91裸聊视频� in particular is used by groups who are against gender-affirming care, which Travers said is all part of a dangerous movement of deliberate misinformation.

91裸聊视频淚 think people who aren91裸聊视频檛 really following the discourse won91裸聊视频檛 understand the significance, because they don91裸聊视频檛 recognize that there91裸聊视频檚 a very, very well organized and well funded anti-trans movement.91裸聊视频�

They said they would be seriously worried if the BC Liberal Party took power and Merrifield was in charge of decisions for gender equity files.

91裸聊视频淚 find it terrifying, I truly do. Politicians actually have the power to impose policies that are deeply concerning.91裸聊视频�

The BC Liberal91裸聊视频檚 press secretary said Merrifield has a long history of supporting gender-affirming care. Black Press Media requested an interview with Merrifield but was directed to the party91裸聊视频檚 press secretary.

jane.skrypnek@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .