An SNP councillor in Dundee has been condemned after comparing the battle for transgender rights with the Holocaust.
Nicola Sturgeon faces calls to remove Lynne Short from the party after she referenced the Nazi atrocities at Auschwitz during a speech in the city on Saturday.
The Maryfield councillor shared the stage with north-east Green MSP Maggie Chapman as crowds gathered to show their opposition to the UK Government’s attempt to block Holyrood’s gender reforms.
‘Deeply offensive’
But the remarks made in Ms Short’s speech have been criticised as “deeply offensive”.
Videos posted online of the event, and shared by the councillor’s own Twitter page, show her discussing the need to fight the government’s actions.
She said: “I’ve seen, first-hand… when I’ve travelled and I used to visit a place called Auschwitz…
“And within Auschwitz, it’s very, very well known about all of the atrocities that were done against the Jewish people.
“But also, when you go in, you understand why we have protective characteristics, because some people were experimented on because of disabilities, or because of their sexual preferences, or just because they weren’t the right party.
“We cannot allow our society to go further and further to the right, and please, please let’s stand up against anyone that wants to do that, and do it with love.”
This is so deeply offensive in so many ways by an SNP Cllr who boasted of her close friendship with the SNP WM leader? Perhaps she should speak to De-transitioners? Or research impacts of puberty blockers on children? Or planned criminalising rights of parents? @ForWomenScot pic.twitter.com/MKoKwHR0ic
— Marko Polo (@markthehibby) January 22, 2023
Hate crime laws, which have recently been updated in Scotland, mean any existing offence can be aggravated by prejudice relating to “protected characteristics”.
These include age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics.
‘Totally unacceptable’
Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: “This comment is beyond tasteless – it’s vile, offensive and totally unacceptable.
“To invoke the Holocaust and Nazi atrocities as a means of criticising those who hold legitimate concerns about the impact of Nicola Sturgeon’s GRR Bill on women’s safety and rights is beneath contempt.
“Lynne Short’s remarks have no place in mainstream political discourse and so I would urge Nicola Sturgeon to remove her from the SNP.
“The GRR Bill excites passionately-held opinions on both sides so it’s incumbent on politicians to express their views on it in a tolerant and respectful way.”
Auschwitz was the largest Nazi concentration camp and extermination centre.
More than 1.1 million men, women and children lost their lives at the site in occupied Poland.
I’m genuinely very troubled by what’s happening in Scotland. Why is Auschwitz being brought up in a discussion about liberalising gender recognition certificates? The Scottish political mainstream has become radicalised. https://t.co/KZXoeldyyw
— Girls To The Front (@obsolete__units) January 22, 2023
Footage of the protest was shared online, sparking widespread criticism.
One Twitter user said: “I’m genuinely very troubled by what’s happening in Scotland. Why is Auschwitz being brought up in a discussion about liberalising gender recognition certificates?”
‘As a Dundonian I’m appalled and shamed’
Another wrote: “As a Dundonian I am appalled and shamed by these highly inappropriate comments.”
A third posted: “I can scarcely believe the words coming out of her mouth.
“To compare women talking about their fears about men who selfID into their private spaces where they are vulnerable, with Nazi holocaust is deeply, deeply offensive.”
Ms Short is spokesperson on “fairness” at the city council and also serves as depute convener of community safety and public protection.
The councillor did not immediately return our requests for comment on Sunday.
During her speech, she spoke of SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn being a “friend”.
The row comes after Ms Chapman hit the headlines last week when she suggested Holyrood should “explore” whether children as young as eight can decide to legally change their gender.
Conversation