Leo Varadkar hope RTE and Dublin Pride can ‘come together and sort out’ Liveline dispute
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said that he hopes RTE and Pride organisers can “come together again and sort out” a dispute over a Liveline discussion on trans issues.
Dublin Pride cut ties with RTE after Joe Duffy ‘s Liveline was accused of airing anti-transgender segments.
The organisers of the pride parade, that is set to take place next weekend, claimed Liveline gave a platform to “extremely harmful anti-trans ‘discussions'”.
Read more: RTE star Ryan Tubridy ‘disappointed’ with Dublin Pride decision
RTE defended the broadcast, saying “sometimes uncomfortable, difficult and contentious” public discussion is central to the broadcaster’s purpose.
The Fine Gael leader told reporters that the trans community were upset as they “felt that they were left out” of the debate.
He said: “I know a lot of members of the trans community are very upset.
“These are very sensitive issues, these are very personal issues. We should talk about them and debate them.”
He added: “But if we are talking about issues that relate to trans people or any minority group, it’s important that they’re part of the debate and part of the conversation, and they felt that they were left out of that.”
A spokesperson for Pride said: “Over the past three years, we have worked together with the national broadcaster to increase the positive representation of LGBTQ+ people on TV, radio, and online, and to see the good work of so many people undone is saddening in the extreme and negates much of the efforts made to date.
“It breaches trust with our community and causes untold hurt.”
RTE said they were “disappointed” by Dublin Pride’s decision but defended the Liveline broadcast.
A spokesperson said: “Standing with the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month sends an important signal that RTE is here to serve everyone.”
“Public discussion – sometimes uncomfortable, difficult, and contentious – is central to RTÉ’s prescribed purpose. RTE is acutely aware that discussions on issues such as gender and identity are deeply personal to many.
“It is important we listen to them, their families and those close to them, and it is also important that we allow our audiences engage with and understand the issues involved.”
Read more: Singer Holly Johnson tells RTE’s Ray D’Arcy to ‘stop acting the b****cks’ over interview question
Read more: RTE issue statement on Dublin Pride ending partnership over trans debate
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