Talking points
- Greens councillor Rohan Leppert’s comments on gay-conversion therapy laws have been leaked.
- Victorian Greens members have accused the party of promoting trans-exclusionary views.
- Members are demanding an ‘action plan’ outlining how to deal with party disagreements.
The Greens party is in turmoil over the issue of transgender policy, with hundreds of members accusing the party hierarchy of promoting trans-exclusionary views.
A group of rank-and-file members, councillors, election candidates and party officials from across Australia have sent a letter to the executive of the Victorian Greens, demanding new standards to “resolve significant concerns about trans-exclusionary influences on the party”.
Councillor Rohan Leppert argues sex and gender should be freely discussed at policy level.Credit:John Robenstone
The letter, signed by more than 300 members, has escalated a destabilising feud over trans rights ahead of federal and state elections.
The issue has been simmering for years in the Victorian branch. 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.
They argued his views were harmful to trans people, who have higher rates of poor mental health than the general population.
Federal Greens leader Adam Bandt has tweeted that trans rights are non-negotiable.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
The letter demanded an “action plan” for situations when a party official or politician expressed views “in disagreement with party values”.
“The [party] is becoming associated with a reputation that persons who hold trans-exclusionary beliefs find it easy to gain power and influence,” the letter said, citing Cr Leppert by his position rather than by name, as well as unnamed Greens office-bearers alleged to hold offensive viewpoints.
The document set off ructions in the party, which is struggling at both a state and federal level to broaden its electoral appeal beyond a core group of about 8-10 per cent of voters.
The letter was prompted by Cr Leppert’s interpretation of the new Victorian laws that have implications for how doctors treat young people with gender dysphoria who were considering gender reassignment.
Gender dysphoria is the term used to describe the distress a person feels when their gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
The councillor’s analysis was that the legislation criminalised doctors doing anything other than affirming the view of a pre-pubescent teenager who may want to switch gender. He cited the example of a friend who he said “escape[d]” the process of transitioning after realising they were more comfortable living as a lesbian woman.
“Many others in my age bracket who experienced gender dysphoria when puberty hit before discovering that they were lesbians much later … all genuinely worry that girls in a similar situation today are being told they are trans,” he wrote. “I don’t think women who raise concerns about those consequences are hateful.
“I have not argued for denying medical treatment to all children… My concerns are with an affirmation ONLY approach, and criminalising the alternatives.”
Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said all trans people deserve to live their authentic lives.Credit:Joe Armao
“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.
Greens leaders affirmed the party’s support for the trans community in the days after the episode.
Without referencing Cr Leppert, federal Greens leader Adam Bandt tweeted that “trans rights are non-negotiable” while Victorian leader Samantha Ratnam said “all trans people are valid, and deserve to live their authentic lives, free from transphobia or discrimination”.
The under-fire councillor responded on Tuesday. He wrote on Twitter that he never intended to initiate a public debate on the topic because of the harm it may cause mentally vulnerable trans people.
“But I have every right to defend myself when the absurd allegations of bigotry, or [claims] that I support conversion therapy or oppression, are put to me,” he said.
“I don’t believe that sex and gender is a special category of policy not allowed to be discussed. Gender affects all of us. Where there are perceived or real conflicts between sex-based and gender-based rights, it is the job of parties seeking legislative power to understand them.”
Noting that any further comments – “no matter how they are written” – would be labelled hate-speech by some, he stepped away from the debate after releasing his statement.
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.”
“I’ve never met a transphobic person in my party and my point on Tuesday – that even discussing this issue is construed as hateful – was instantly proved by the hyperbole that followed,” he said. “This isn’t about me, it’s about whether we can discuss a fast-changing policy area that affects individuals very deeply.
“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.”
The Victorian Greens head office was contacted for comment.
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