A Norwich MP is facing criticism after saying he is ‘100pc proud’ to support transwomen breastfeeding babies.
Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South, made the comments on Twitter after signing a petition in support of Mika Minio-Paluello who it says “faced a vile wave of personal attacks for speaking on TV while trans”.
Ms Minio-Paluello, who was born male, appeared on ITV’s News At Ten programme last week speaking about how rising water bills were “tough if you're a mum”.
In response to online comments about a breastpump that could be seen in the footage, she shared a lengthy thread on Twitter saying that “trans women can breastfeed” and including a photo of herself doing so on a bus.
READ MORE: Council leader prompts 'gender ideology' row over trans pledge
The social media posts drew criticism from gender critical campaigners.
Maya Forstater, the founder of campaign group Sex Matters, responded: “A man is not a woman. A man is not a mother. A man having a baby suck his nipple is not breastfeeding.”
Level Up, which campaigns for 'gender justice', including trans rights, then set up a petition titled 'Solidarity with Mika' in the wake of the outcry.
“Motherhood looks different for all of us – as does family. The title of ‘mother’ is often the only thing we have in common with other women,” it states.
Mr Lewis is among dozens, including several Labour MPs, to have added their names to the petition.
In a tweet, including the hashtag #Solidarity, he wrote: “Proud to have signed this. Bring your insults. It just strengthens our resolve.”
READ MORE: Norwich has second-highest proportion of trans and non-binary people outside London
His support has drawn hundreds of critical comments online, including from the Norwich Women’s Rights Group.
The group also criticised the MP for another post in which he accused those who disagreed with his stance of also promoting “anti-migrant, anti-climate, hard right” views.
“No, Clive: many of us have voted or canvassed for you,” they posted.
A small number of transgender women in the UK have reportedly undergone a course of treatment to help artificially produce milk, something usually given to women who have adopted babies.
However, experts have urged caution over the nutritional value and the long term health implications are unknown.
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