Richard Madeley seen outside the ITV Studios on August 28, 2019 in London, England. (Getty)
Richard Madeley has said that transgender children should get “support and unconditional love.”
The former Richard & Judy presenter made the comments in his regular advice column in The Daily Telegraph after a message from Rowena, a divorced mum to a 16-year-old transgender boy.
Rowena explained that her new partner was struggling to adapt to her son’s transition, recalling: “He gets extremely upset and says that the idea repulses him. He’s said nothing to Billy’s face but he has mocked his new clothes, and he busies himself in the kitchen when I’m with Billy in the sitting room.”
The mum added: “He’s never been very forthcoming about doing things with all the kids together, but now he clams up when I suggest it, as if Billy would be a source of shame to him.”
Richard Madeley says trans teen ‘deserves support and unconditional love’
While some ‘gender critical’ activists would probably prefer to suggest packing Billy off for conversion therapy, Madeley gave the same advice we’re likely all currently shouting: dump that idiot immediately.
He wrote: “To be totally honest, the first thought that came into my mind when I finished reading your letter was: Rowena needs a new boyfriend.”
Madeley continued: “Frankly, your boyfriend needs a reality check. If your child has identified as male, he deserves support and unconditional love, not mockery about what clothes he chooses to wear and baby sulks in the kitchen.
“And even if your boyfriend’s behaviour is rooted in jealousy, not prejudice (though I suspect both are factors) do you really want to share your life with a man who resents the simple fact that you love your child?
“I believe it’s ultimatum time, Rowena. Love me, love my child. For Billy’s sake, make it crystal clear that this demand is absolutely non-negotiable.
“And if your boyfriend chooses to continue to behave like a petulant toddler, I think you know what you must do. For Billy’s sake. And your own.”
Columnist says people need to shout at each other less on trans issues
Madeley has previously addressed trans issues via his advice column, responding diplomatically last year to a mother who recalled “a furious argument with my 25-year-old son about trans women in sport.”
He wrote: “Transgender issues are relatively new in society; they’re complex, and they’re here to stay. We should give ourselves time to consider them thoughtfully, without heat or recrimination.
“This is my advice to you and your son. Accept that each of you has the right to hold personal opinions based on the perceived evidence and, yes, on your emotional response to it. Discuss rather than argue. Try to explore the other’s point of view, without rancour.
“Be curious about the reasons you disagree, rather than angry – because if we end up shouting at each other, no one learns anything and everything gets stuck. Just look at Brexit.”