An internal feud over trans rights has been simmering for years. It came to the boil on Sunday when comments made by Melbourne Greens councillor Rohan Leppert in a private Facebook group were leaked.
Cr Leppert – a Greens rising star derided as “trans-exclusionary” in the open letter led by prominent Greens members – raised concerns about the Andrews government’s gay-conversion therapy laws and was accused of transphobia by dozens of trans people and activists on social media.
“The law in Victoria may have been constructed in a way that will result in an excessive diagnosis of gender dysphoria and prescription of puberty blockers, HRT and surgery, increasing the phenomenon of de-transitioning in future.”
The reaction on Twitter was swift. Cr Leppert, who is gay, was labelled transphobic. Some called for him to be expelled from the Greens.
The Twitter furore was the latest flare-up in the debate over trans rights, a subject that has created tension inside progressive political movements worldwide, as well as universities, sporting bodies and other institutions.
This tension is between those who believe there is no conflict between the rights of biological women and those who choose to become a woman, and those who see a fundamental conflict.
Cr Leppert told The Age on Friday he had been “overwhelmed” by messages of support from Greens members, who all believed “we’ve got to find a way to discuss this stuff.”
“The [political] right has always sought to silence women. I hope that the left can make space for respectful debate, which allows everyone’s concerns to be heard.”
Source: Victorian Greens in turmoil over transgender policy ahead of 2022 state election