'Loose Women' Viewers Slam Panel After 'Uneducated' Discussion About Transgender Children
'Loose Women' SLAMMED After 'Uneducated' Discussion About Transgender Kids
Rachel McGrath— The Huffington Post UK
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The ‘Loose Women’ panel have been slammed by viewers, following a discussion about children who identify as transgender.
Host Andrea McLean introduced the topic, stating “there’s been a quadruple rise in the number of children who have been referred to the NHS because of transgender feelings. Transgender is a word that has been bandied around an awful lot in the last 12 months or so, especially because of the Caitlyn Jenner case over in America.”
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This isn't the first time the panel have landed themselves in hot water
However, she appeared to go on to confuse gender with sexuality, adding: “One case is wonderful and lovely, how accepting people are of fluid sexuality… but the truth is that young children are now questioning their sexuality and their gender at such a young age… is that refreshing, or is it a worry?”
Nadia Sawalha then shared her views, making a series of comments that have frustrated many Twitter users.
“Last year my step daughter told me the ‘in’ thing at school was self harming, and then before that it had been throwing up. You know, fashionable words that have been taken on,” she said.
Nadia continued: “The other day, [my kids] were playing, and we actually heard from the other room, ‘which one of us is going to be transgender?’
“Can you imagine that, even a year ago?”
“The other day, [my husband] Mark went oh, I feel like a woman, and Kiki went: ‘You’re not going to become a woman, are you?’… can you imagine when we were eight even thinking about that?”
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Nadia's standpoint has been questioned
Fellow panellist Gloria Hunniford then attempted to move the conversation forward, explaining: “You can understand homosexuality, but when your child says I’m transgender, is a whole new thing.”
Many viewers took to Twitter following the conversation, with a number questioning whether the women were right to even attempt to discuss the topic:
This isn’t the first time the ‘Loose Women’ panel have been criticised for their discussion topics and methods, and fans called for Coleen Nolan to be ditched by ITV bosses, when she defended bakery owners who refused to bake a cake for a gay marriage, drawing comparisons between gay rights and supporting ISIS in the process.
Judy Finnigan's Comments On 'Non-Violent Rape'(01 of08)
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In her very first appearance on the 'Loose Women' panel, Judy caused outcry with her comments defending convicted rapist Ched Evans and his potential return to football, insisting he'd "served his time", adding: "The rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily harm to the person."Not exactly off to a flying start... (credit:Rex/Ken McKay/ITV)
'Is It Ever A Woman's Fault If She Is Raped?'(02 of08)
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This social media poll obviously landed the show in seriously hot water, with critics suggesting that a topic as serious as rape isn't really up for debate at all, but in particular on a lunchtime panel show.
Janet Street-Porter(03 of08)
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JSP is always a polarising figure, but when she saw a photo of Prince George on the show and called him a 'cross-dressing billionaire', she managed to raise even more eyebrows than usual. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Nadia Sawalha Says Being Transgender Is 'A Trend'(04 of08)
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Nadia was faced with a Twitter backlash when she suggested that the rise in children being diagnosed as transgender was 'the in thing' and compared it to 'self-harm', calling it a 'fashionable word that has been taken on'. (credit:ITV)
Coleen Nolan And Her Son(05 of08)
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Coleen Nolan caused a stir in 2005, when she suggested that if her 16-year-old son passed his exams, she would pay for him to take a trip to see the Red Light District in Amsterdam.Despite criticism, Coleen stood by her comments at the time, insisting she'd rather he went there than a trip to Ibiza where he would "probably have unprotected sex with lots of girls", insisting: "I'd rather he does it somewhere well-policed and where the girls have health checks than behind the wall of a club in Ibiza."Meanwhile, her ex-husband, Shane Richie, said he was "appalled" by Coleen's suggestion. (credit:Ken McKay/ITV)
Jamelia Talks Older Mums(06 of08)
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Plus-size fashion isn't the only hot topic that has landed Jamelia in hot water, though, after she was criticised for comments she made about women who choose to become mothers later in life.One such critic was Tina Malone, who had a baby via IVF at 50 years old, who said she was "furious" with Jamelia, tweeting that at her age: "I am fitter, look better, have more energy, can cook, work, clean, and go [all night]... and I have a 32-year-old!! And Jamelia, I am wiser!!!" (credit:Steve Meddle/Rex/ITV)
Jacqueline Jossa Hits Out At The Show(07 of08)
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The 'EastEnders' actress blasted the show in 2016, when she claimed that her interview contained a line of questioning related to her fiancé's past relationship, and allegations of abuse and threats, which she'd not been briefed about beforehand. (credit:Rex Shutterstock/ITV)
THAT Katie Hopkins Interview(08 of08)
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Shortly after her eviction from the 'CBB' house, 'Loose Women' invited Katie Hopkins onto the show to offer her side of the story.However, the interview came under fire not because of what Katie said, but because of the panel, who were labelled 'bullies' and 'unprofessional' by some critics over their - admittedly, pretty intense - grilling. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay/ITV)