Peer criticised for 'transgender vegetarianism' comment on live radio
The comments were in response to a question about "fake" meat
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Your support makes all the difference.A peer has sparked outrage after sharing her views on vegans who eat “fake” meat, calling it “transgender vegetarianism.”
Baroness Deech, who has been a crossbench member of the House of Lords for 12 years, was giving an interview on BBC Radio 4 when the conversation turned to vegetarian “meat.”
Responding to a question of whether she would be open to trying vegetarian burgers, which resemble real burgers, the peer said she would not be open to trying the faux-burgers - before making the astounding comments.
“No, I don’t think I would,” she said, “especially if this thing is being done up to look as if it’s bleeding,” referring to the new vegetarian “meat” innovations that bleed like a typical burger.
Admitting that she eats meat herself, the peer said: “I imagine if you’re eating meat – and I do eat meat to some extent – you want to feel that you’re somehow getting that protein into you.”
However, Baroness Deech then revealed that she is a firm believer that vegetarians should stick to “lettuce and spring onions,” as she considers this crossover a “sort of transgender vegetarianism.”
The comments, which came just one day after the Transgender Day of Visibility, angered listeners who turned to social media to express their disgust.
Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination they still face.
In addition to accusing Baroness Deech of transphobia, many criticised the peer for her comments about the new vegetarian alternatives - the result of science-based initiatives dedicated to creating realistic protein alternatives.
One woman tweeted: “Dismissive, very poor choice of words when talking about new inventions within the non-meat protein food options especially when yesterday was Trans Day of Visibility.”
“What the hell is ‘transgender vegetarianism’? It’s offensive to the transgender community, just as anti-Semitism is offensive to you and me. Please think about what you say,” another wrote.
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