The Sun Comes Under Fire For Questioning Trans MP Hopeful On Gender

<p>The UK's biggest daily newspaper has come under fire after it published an article on transgender labour MP hopeful Emily Brothers, who is blind.</p> <p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4616829462.jpg" width="460" height="613" alt="" title=""/></p> <p></p><p>The article published by The Sun (10th Dec), asks how Emily Brothers could possibly know she was in the wrong sex if she was blind, saying:</p><p></p><p>“Thing is though… being blind, how did know she was the wrong sex?”</p><p></p><p>Mark Healey from the 17-24-30 campaign, which aims to highlight hate crimes in the UK, has called on readers to make a formal complaint to the <a href="https://www.ipso.co.uk/oxbxApps/app/complaint1.html">regulatory body IPSO</a>, after calling the piece an "unacceptable piece of journalism."</p><p></p><p>Recently the leader of the labour party Ed Milliband said he was ‘so proud’ that his party had selected a transgender parliamentary candidate to stand in May's general election.</p><p></p><p>Brothers will contest the seat of Sutton and Cheam and is quoted as saying she wanted to be a ‘positive role model’.</p><p></p><p>In a recent interview with PinkNews she said, </p><p></p><p>"In an ideal world I wouldn't be speaking out about my past because it's very private; however I recognise that as a politician the key thing is trust.</p><p></p><p>"I don't want to be somebody who has notoriety as having a transgender background, but I also believe it's an experience that has value to it, that I can be a positive role model."</p><p></p><p>Columnist Rod Liddle has said that he sorry for "the poor joke". </p><p></p><p>In a statement released today, Mr Liddle said: "I wish Emily the very best and I'd definitely vote for her if I lived in Sutton and Cheam.</p><p></p><p>"I am sorry for the poor joke!"</p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p>