Sam Sotiropolous, a member of the Toronto District School Board, has refused in an interview to answer questions about homophobic opinions expressed on Twitter
Sam Sotiropolous, a member of the Toronto District School Board, has refused in an interview to answer questions about homophobic opinions expressed on Twitter, reports Pink News.
An August 30th tweet read “Until I see scientific proof that transgenderism exists and is not simply a mental illness, I reserve the right not to believe in it.” An earlier tweet on July 4th called Toronto Pride a “freak show.”
Until I see scientific proof that transgenderism exists and is not simply a mental illness, I reserve the right not to believe in it. #TDSB
— Sam Sotiropoulos (@TrusteeSam) August 30, 2014
Toronto Worldpride Parade 2014 – Freak Show with Politicians: http://t.co/K4YEzX0K6Z In case you missed it. WARNING: Nudity #TOpoli #voteTO
— Sam Sotiropoulos (@TrusteeSam) July 4, 2014
However, in a Global News interview, Sotiropolous – who is clearly uncomfortable – refuses to answer questions about his views, claiming that although he has not formed an opinion on transgender people, he “has the right to reserve the right to have an opinion.”
Despite the fact that the tweet hasn't been deleted, Sotiropolous denies calling Toronto Pride a “freak show”. When confronted with another tweet claiming that the “disseminators” of “homosexism” are “maliciously rabid,” he walks away from the camera and appears speechless. At that point, his only comeback is he was under the impression that the interview would concern his comments on transgender people only. However, he does appear to back up his homophobic opinions, stating that “the words stand for themselves.”
At this point, he refuses to answer any more questions. The interview ends with a bizarre staring competition – which the Global News reporter wins.
Trans-rights activist Susan Gapka said that outrage at Sotiropoulos's comments points to how far society has come in recent years.
“The terrific thing is that there are non-trans people, allies and supporters, leaping to the defense, there was a flurry on twitter, and social media, the news has covered it, that shows you how far we've come in the last five or ten years.”
Sotiropolous has since taken to Twitter again to defend his opinions, claiming that the school district is targeting "the rarest" types of bullying – transphobic and homophobic – while ignoring bullying based on appearance, school performance and ethnicity.
Bullying happens for MANY reasons in our #TDSB schools. We need to fight ALL forms of bullying, not simply the rarest. #TDSB #TOpoli #voteTO
— Sam Sotiropoulos (@TrusteeSam) September 8, 2014
Watch the bizarre interview, AFTER THE JUMP…
