The thought police are real and apparently, in the United Kingdom, offending them could land you in jail.
Seriously, the whole situation began on “Good Morning Britain” where Catholic journalist Caroline Farrow and transgender activist Susie Green appeared. The two debated on the program, but it’s what happened after the show that lead to the investigation.
A journalist has been accused of a hate crime, after she misgendered a trans person on Twitter. Hate crimes have a maximum two-year prison sentence.
But with knife crimes soaring across the UK, should police be investigating incidents such as these?@SwainITV with more. pic.twitter.com/eyh1NJfT1W— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 20, 2019
Apparently, Farrow used a wrong pronoun on Twitter when referring to Green’s daughter, who was born a male. She didn’t appreciate the “misgendering” of her son/daughter and decided to get the police involved in the situation.
And the police are actually going to investigate.
Farrow is accused of violating the UK’s Malicious Communications Act , anyone found guilty of violating this act faces up to two years in prison.
Farrow responded to the absolute insanity of the whole situation in a string of tweets.
Had a message from Guildford police tonight about my tweets following an appearance on @GMB with Susie Green and Piers Morgan. Susie Green has reported me for misgendering her daughter.
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
I have pointed out to the police that I am a Catholic journalist/commentator and it is my religious belief that a person cannot change sex. That we are in the middle of a national conversation about what it means to be male and what it means to be female.
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
Nonetheless following my appearance on National Television the CPS have decided I need to be interviewed under caution for misgendering Susie Green’s child.
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
Here are the provisions of the malicious communications act: https://t.co/6ICBG2WJKZ – I am not in breach.
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
I don’t even remember said tweets! I probably said “he” or “son” or something. 🤷🏼♀️
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
All I have been told that following an appearance on Good Morning Britain I made some tweets misgendering Susie Green’s child and that I need to attend a taped interview.
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
I don’t even remember said tweets. This was in September! But I really not got give a flying toss. I have done nothing wrong, nothing illegal and will happily do jail time for my right to say that people cannot change sex.
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
Meanwhile a group of people have terrified and harassed my family. Doxed my children, made violent and sexual threats, signed me up to porn accounts, did the same to my husband, threatened to visit here. And tumbleweed…
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
Here’s the GMB interview the police referred to. From what I understand this wasn’t illegal but some follow-up tweets were. https://t.co/suOELE7aSK
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
Oh and if I don’t go for an interview about some tweets that allegedly misgendered, I will apparently be arrested. Which is nice. 👍🏻
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019
However. For those wondering if I am upset or hoping I am. Nope. I have 5 kids. Might catch up on a bit of sleep in the clink! 😂 pic.twitter.com/p5pl89McZx
— Caroline Farrow (@CF_Farrow) March 18, 2019