Kim Woodburn denies she is transphobic: ‘I will always be an ally’
"I would never say a bad word about any of you."
Kim Woodburn has addressed backlash to comments she made in a recent interview about unisex changing rooms that were received as transphobic, saying her words have been “twisted.”
The TV personality made the much-discussed appearance on Mark Dolan Tonight over the weekend.
Dolan, the presenter, asked the How Clean Is Your House star: “There are lots of social media influencers, famous TV presenters who say that they’re super inclusive, they don’t mind these unisex changing rooms, that they love it. I don’t think they’re being honest.”
He furthermore added: “I think, Kim, you speak for the silent majority of women. However, do you worry you might be labelled a transphobe or bigot for having that view?”
Woodburn replied: “If I’m going to be labelled that, then get on with it, I give not a jot.
“If I don’t want to show a man, accidentally, my knockers, or my bottom half, dear, which could happen – then I’m being labelled? I don’t want to show my bare body to a strange man? Stop it.”
The Celebrity Big Brother star furthermore continued: “Don’t talk utter rubbish, my love. A man’s a man, a woman’s a woman. Women who say they don’t mind sharing a dressing room with a man must be sexually frustrated and need to see something naughty. I don’t. I don’t dear. I’ve got a husband who gives me all the needs I require. I don’t need to see men’s penises through their underpants.”
“Sometimes it’s okay just not to speak”
Backlash was swift. One critic said: “I really don’t get why so many of the gays find her so ‘iconic’.” Another said: “I don’t want to see this woman booked at a single pride gig or queer space again.”
Another added: “Shame on you @kimwoodburn – you’re trying to use your five minutes here to be funny, or edgy…not quite sure?”
They furthermore continued: “But all you’ve done is show no understanding on the question, the issue, or the struggle that actual trans people face. Sometimes it’s okay just not to speak.”
“I count each and every single one of you, my friends” – Kim Woodburn
In her statement posted to Instagram today, Woodburn said: “To all my LGBTQ+ followers I would like to address my appearance on The Mark Dolan Show. The conversation was about male and females sharing dressing rooms. During the show we never discussed trans people. I have always supported the LGBTQ+ community, as you all are aware, and I count each and every single one of you, my friends.”
She furthermore added: “Anyone who has twisted the interview to be something it wasn’t you should be ashamed of yourselves. And I wouldn’t want you as my friends. I will always be an ally to the community and would never say a bad word about any of you.”
She also said: “I am very disappointed in those who have deliberately misinterpreted what I said. You are horrible horrible people.”