Australian entertainer Barry Humphries who portrays the iconic Dame Edna Everage has shared his thoughts about people who are transgender in an interview with right-wing magazine The Spectator.
The interview which includes several disparaging quotes about people who are transgender has been widely criticised, with people noting that Humphries has made his fortune from challenging gender roles by playing a woman via his Dame Edna character.
The interview which uses truncated quotes from the 84 performer sees him lash out at school teachers saying discussing being transgender is “evil” and “crazed”.
In the interview Humphries is quoted as saying “transgenderism” is “a fashion — how many different kinds of lavatory can you have? And it’s pretty evil when it’s preached to children by crazy teachers”.
Humphries recalls that people who are transgender previous got upset at him when he described sex change operations as “mutilation”, he says people were probably upset because they had paid so much for their procedures.
The ageing comedian said transgender advocates who take offence at his comments were guilty of “terrible rat-baggery”. In the interview Humphries also praised US President Donald Trump.
Comedian Hannah Gadsby responded to the controversy saying Humphries has become irrelevant.
“Barry Humphries loves those who hold power, hates vulnerable minorities and has completely lost the ability to read the room. That’s not a comedian, that’s an irrelevant, inhumane dick biscuit of the highest order.” Gadsby posted to Twitter.
Other comedian also weighed in on the comments suggesting it was time for Humphries to be put out to pasture.
“You are my idol. You broke ground, you broke rules, you pissed off the establishment. You defined Australian culture. You have a lifetime of achievements. And now this is will be your legacy. You’ve become the people you used to make fun of. Shut up and retire.” said Thomas Jaspers.
“Uh uh. No Barry, you are a fashion, and you’re WAY out of style.” posted Zoe Coombs Marr.
OIP Staff
OUTinPerth contacted Barry Humphries to ask for clarification on his comments.
