Munroe Bergdorf accuses NSPCC of ‘bowing to pressure from transphobic hate campaign’ as she is dropped from Childline
Twitter users falsely referred to Bergdorf as 'a porn model'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Childline has cut ties with Munroe Bergdorf three days after the transgender activist announced she had been appointed as the charity’s first LGBT+ campaigner.
A spokesperson for Bergdorf said: "we are disappointed by the organisation's decision", pointing to Twitter users who described the appointment as “inappropriate” and referred to her as a “porn model”.
On Wednesday, Bergdorf tweeted that she was “proud” to be supporting the free support service for under-19s and “excited to have the opportunity to let more kids know that they are not alone in their how they feel.”
She added: “The wellbeing and empowerment of LGBTQIA+ identifying children and young people is something that I have been passionate about throughout my career as an activist.”
The announcement came the same day Childline revealed it had carried out more than 6,000 counselling sessions with children and young people about issues relating to gender and sexuality in the last year.
But on Friday, the NSPCC, which runs Childline, posted a statement on their website saying Bergdorf “will have no ongoing relationship with Childline or the NSPCC”.
The charity said Bergdorf had incorrectly been referred to as an “ambassador” and added that it “does not support, endorse or authorise any personal statements made by any celebrities who contribute to campaigns”.
In an additional statement provided to The Independent, a spokesperson said: “We have been reflecting on the support we have had from Munroe Bergdorf and the extent to which it is helping us achieve the outcomes we desire for all LGBTQ+ children.
“We judged that it was in the best interests of the campaign that we no longer work with her.”
News of Bergdorf’s appointment as a Childline campaigner had prompted widespread criticism on Twitter.
Several users took issue with the fact Bergdorf had posed for Playboy online in 2018 and referred to her as a “porn model”. A spokesperson for Bergdorf confirmed with The Independent that she has never participated in the creation of any pornographic material.
“We are extremely sad and disappointed about what has happened,” said a spokesperson for Bergdorf.
“Childline asked Munroe to come on board as an LGBT+ Campaigner to let LGBT+ children know that Childline is a safe place for them to contact. But to see them bow down to pressure from a transphobic lobby running a hate campaign, falsely stating that she is ‘a porn model’ and threatening to withdraw direct debits to the charity, without so much as an email or phone call to discuss the situation, is heartbreaking. Not only for Munroe, but for the 6,000 trans kids contacting them for help. Clearly those children are not at the top of their priority list.”
The NSPCC responded by clarifying that the 6,000+ counselling sessions were for children with issues relating to gender and sexuality and weren’t given exclusively to transgender children.
On Saturday, Bergdorf herself posted a statement on Instagram in which she accused journalist Janice Turner of launching a “transphobic hate campaign” against her on Twitter.
The 31-year-old activist added that she was "unbelievably sad” Childline decided to sever ties with her. "Pride is about resisting this kind of hate, not giving into it,” she concluded.
The Independent has contacted Janice Turner for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments