From Pink News: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/18/observers-readers-editor-says-it-was-wrong-to-publish-transphobic-slurs/
by Scott Roberts
18 January 2013
The Observer’s readers’ editor, Stephen Pritchard, has issued his full response into the paper’s decision to publish a transphobic article by Julie Burchill.
Writing on guardian.co.uk, the website of the Observer’s sister paper, on Friday afternoon Pritchard said: “Some of the language was gratuitously offensive; to repeat it here would be to add insult to injury.”
Julie Burchill wrote the article in defence of her friend and fellow writer Suzanne Moore – who had also caused offence in the trans community with some of her remarks in an article which was published first in the New Statesman and then in the Guardian.
This, argued Burchill, led to Moore being “monstered” by a lobby.
In the 24 hours after the article was published, Pritchard received over 1,000 emails and 2,952 comments were posted online, most of them highly critical.
Referring to the controversy, Pritchard said: “The ensuing storm was notable both for its vociferous nature and for its individuality. A controversial issue will often bring a blizzard of identikit protest of apparently confected anger but while clearly this lobby was organised most of the emails and letters we received were personal and heartfelt.
“And they were not only from trans people. Concerned readers with no connection to the trans lobby felt hurt that a minority that could expect to be protected by a liberal publication was being attacked in an extremely insulting manner.”
Continue reading at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/18/observers-readers-editor-says-it-was-wrong-to-publish-transphobic-slurs/
