Read on Twitter
Yesterday I had a disagreement with @JohnTmrguk over a tweet he made that, at face value, was transphobic. We had a heated debate about the semantics, but John later apologised and retracted the tweet. I thought weād rounded things off. https://twitter.com/johntmrguk/status/1310088791361835008
At some point later in the evening, a new troll account appears, saying some rather disgusting things to John and also making death threats. Iām not going to share them, but the sleuths amongst you will be able to find them.
For the record: I unequivocally do not condone this behaviour against anyone. I cannot *stand* transphobes or bigots, but I will always engage with them in debate in an effort to educate and inform - and I will always do so from this account.
Imagine my shock when I wake up, then, to a DM from @JohnTmrguk accusing me of creating this troll account, issuing him these threats and informing me that he has gone to the police. Heās also furthered this allegation in the above quoted tweet.
A big part of @JohnTmrgukās argument yesterday was that my statement of ātransphobiaā was unfounded. It wasnāt. It was & remains justified based on his opening comments about ābiologyā trumping identity. https://twitter.com/johntmrguk/status/1309889754566189056
It is therefore somewhat inexplicable that @JohnTmrguk is now making unfounded accusations that I am behind the account trolling him. Apparently he has my IP address, and these match. Whilst I doubt this, even if they *do* match John is still wrong.
The only way to fight transphobia is with reasoned debate and a level of maturity. If you donāt like being told that something youāve said is transphobic, donāt say it in the first place.
Absolutely donāt double down by making wild allegations that the person who engaged you has then completely switched tactics and is now making death threats, with no proof. In a twisted way, it could be argued that that in itself is gaslighting - negating our previous exchange.
Why am I tweeting this? Because itās important. Itās important to acknowledge that death threats are never acceptable. Itās important to acknowledge that people do not deserve to be abused for engaging in a discussion; for acknowledging their errors and growing.
And itās also important to show that no matter how āconvincedā you are by something, jumping to conclusions is wrong. āGoing to the policeā about death threats is fine. Telling them that it is one specific person with *zero evidence* is not.
Tl;dr: if Iām going to have a discussion about gender, transphobia and LGBTQ+ matters in this way it will always be from this account, with my name associated to it. I donāt have anything to hide.
I have asked @JohnTmrguk for the reference number of the crime report he has made. Hopefully this will be forthcoming so that I can waste time I donāt have contacting them myself to point out that this is complete nonsense.
Whilst I have very little time for police, Iāve even less time for wild goose chases.
Screenshots will be @JohnTmrgukās downfall. https://twitter.com/johntmrguk/status/1309994162855522310?s=21 https://twitter.com/johntmrguk/status/1310122592150355968
I really, really am not worried, @JohnTmrguk.
Iāve told @JohnTmrguk that I will only be continuing this discussion further, in public, on this thread. Hereās our DM chain just to āproveā this. It is unedited. (John could confirm this but somehow I doubt he will.)
John is once again arguing with his very own words. Words where he also calls me stupid. How cute. https://twitter.com/johntmrguk/status/1310124730104590336
Heās confirmed that our DM thread is accurate though, so thatās something.
Still waiting on that crime number @JohnTmrguk. Given youāre now doubling down shall we save the police some time and Iāll contact them directly? https://twitter.com/johntmrguk/status/1310124939547152384
Still waiting on that crime number @JohnTmrguk. Given youāre now doubling down shall we save the police some time and Iāll contact them directly? https://twitter.com/johntmrguk/status/1310124939547152384
