Trans model Munroe Bergdorf is not holding back.
In a Twitter thread Monday (13 November) morning, she criticized the media for its treatment of transgender children and called on them to do better.
Bergdorf began the tweets by calling out unnamed producers for inviting her on various shows to debate ‘transphobes and TERFs’. A TERF, by the way, is a trans-exclusionary radical feminist.
Dear television news producers. Please stop inviting me to 'debate' the welfare of transgender children with transphobes and TERFS… 1/
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
She then went on to condemn the false equivalency that the media perpetuates. She said presenting this topic as a debate gives room for the idea that being trans is a choice.
A child's emotional and physical welfare is not up for debate. Supporting a child when they begin to show dysphoria is not a debate. It is essential. 2/
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
Giving transphobic people or TERFs a platform to 'debate' whether we should allow kids to express their gender identity is damaging and enforces the narrative that being trans is a choice 3/
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
You wouldn't give a misogynist a platform to debate against feminism with a woman who has experienced violence at the hands of men would you? 4/
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
Bergdorf continued, imploring media and all to ‘allow kids their childhood’. The advice is not unlike that of the anti-bullying guidance the Church of England released today.
She also affirmed her continued commitment to stand up for trans kids.
This is no different. These kids need our help. What they don't need is yet more people telling them that they can't be themselves. This is literally doing more harm than good. 5/
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
What I WILL do is stand up for trans kids whenever I get the opportunity. Sharing a platform with the biggest obstacle to their happiness (bigoted adults) is not helping them. 6/
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
ALLOW KIDS THEIR CHILDHOOD, NOT THE CHILDHOOD YOU WANTED. If you're not willing to do that, then don't have children. Simple. It's about them. Not you.
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
‘If you’re not willing to do that,’ she wrote about letting children be children. ‘Then don’t have children. Simple. It’s about them. Not you.’
Bergdorf ended her thread with a message to trans kids, urging them to reach out to her if they need help. She also challenged the media to do better and change the narrative.
To any trans kids out there who need or want support. Please @ me. I will answer all messages and work with you to get you the help you deserve. You deserve to be happy.
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
British television news – DO BETTER. These kids need our help. Not more lies, more pushing into the closet and more trashy headlines. CHANGE THE NARRATIVE.
— ＭＵＮＲＯＥ (@MunroeBergdorf) November 13, 2017
Bergdorf made headlines at the end of August when she became the first trans woman to star in a L’Oréal UK campaign.
However, days later she was let go after she posted a message online challenging racism.
The following month, she became the face of make-up brand Illamasqua.