Tim Farron has called on liberals to defend liberalism (Christopher Furlong\/Getty)<\/p>\n
Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has argued that liberals should be fighting for JK Rowlings right to express anti-trans views.<\/p>\n
Writing in a blog on Medium, Farron argued for the need to reclaim a genuine liberalism in our debate and allow people to voice offensive views, even if those views strike at the heart of [your] identity.<\/p>\n
Simply fighting for your own rights is never enough, he claimed, suggesting that true liberals would fight for the freedoms of extremists rather than cancelling them.<\/p>\n
Take the recent Twitter storm surrounding JK Rowling, he said. The first people to defend her should be the liberals.<\/p>\n
Not because they agree with her they may think she is utterly wrong but because liberalism fights for the rights of those with different views to be heard.<\/p>\n
It takes time to listen, seeks to understand other perspectives and only then if both sides maintain their positions agree to disagree respectfully.<\/p>\n
The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale has frequently been forced to defend his own offensive views, which often appear to contradict those of his liberal party.<\/p>\n
His two-year stint as Lib Dem leader was marred by accusations of homophobia as he refused to answer whether he believed homosexual sex to be a sin.<\/p>\n
He came under fire earlierthis week after it was revealed that he accepted 75,000 in donations from an organisation whose Christian director tweeted in support of conversion therapy.<\/p>\n
Farrons register of interests show he received a donation from Faith in Public which provided him with a policy adviser two days a week, worth an estimated maximum value of 9,100.<\/p>\n
According tothe Independent, the organisation also donated the services of two policy advisers the previous two years at a total value of 50,319, as well as the services of a public relations company to the value of 15,000.<\/p>\n
It is currently Lib Dem party policy to ban the vile practice of conversion therapy.<\/p>\n
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Read more from the original source:<\/p>\n
Tim Farron says it's the job of liberals to defend JK Rowling's explosive views on trans rights and trans bodies - PinkNews<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Tim Farron has called on liberals to defend liberalism (Christopher Furlong\/Getty) Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has argued that liberals should be fighting for JK Rowlings right to express anti-trans views. Writing in a blog on Medium, Farron argued for the need to reclaim a genuine liberalism in our debate and allow people to voice offensive views, even if those views strike at the heart of [your] identity Continue reading