That one homogenised word

Manivannan is trying to backpedal.

Q Manivannan, the Scottish Parliament’s first non-binary MSP, has apologised over comments describing rape as being “on a spectrum”.

The Scottish Green MSP, who was elected in May, sparked fury and was widely condemned after a clip from The Subjective Space podcast in which Manivannan said that there “definitely is a demonisation of rape” and there are “different modes” of consent. The podcast was recorded last year and has resurfaced on social media.

The clip shows Manivannan saying: “It is a spectrum, none of which is any less, or more, worse, but it is a spectrum of things that constitute that one homogenised word, rape. And I think there’s also different modes of not just consent, but also ideas, also contexts and conditions under which rape is, well, rape.”

As many people have pointed out, not his call. It’s not for men to inform us that rape is what they say it is.

Manivannan added: “I recognise that the words in the clip shared, without the full context of the conversation, have caused considerable upset. For that I apologise. I will always stand with and for victims and survivors.  

“Rape and sexual violence can leave profound pain, fear, hurt and trauma. I know from my experience of surviving sexual violence and speaking about recovery how deeply those experiences can affect people. And this complete mischaracterisation of my words has now returned me to my trauma.”

And there it is – he’s the one who is really suffering here.

Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance (SRCA), which represents four Scottish rape centres, criticised Manivannan’s comments in an open letter, saying there is “no hierarchy of rape” and warning not to “minimise” sexual violence.

The alliance has also said it “fundamentally rejects the suggestion that society is demonising rape”.

The SRCA said: “We do not need to exaggerate its seriousness. We do not need to turn perpetrators into mythical monsters.

“But neither should we be afraid to say plainly that rape is horrific, that it causes profound trauma and harm, and that responsibility for that harm belongs with the person who chose to violate another person.”

The Scottish Conservatives have called on the Scottish Greens to suspend the whip from Manivannan immediately.

The party’s equalities spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher said: “These remarks from an extremist Scottish Greens MSP were appalling and beyond the pale.

“It is deeply alarming that anyone, but especially an elected representative, would ever seek to minimise the seriousness of rape and suggest that there is a spectrum of offences.”

Yes but he’s non-binary. Doesn’t that make it ok?