A MAN holding a sign reading “defy the gaystapo” at a gender critical rally in Glasgow has been condemned as “homophobic” and an “idiot”.
The man, thought to be former BNP member and ex-Scotland in Union activist Max Dunbar, was filmed holding the sign at the event in George Square on Sunday afternoon.
A video, shared by Madeline Warren, showed the man holding the sign as he was heckled by women gathered as part of a demonstration against the Scottish Government’s gender recognition reforms organised by Standing for Women.
Standing for Women is a gender critical feminist group headed by controversial activist Posie Parker.
I’m blocked by willoughby but I took this film at the event. Can someone post it on his Twitter. I knew someone would use that sign against us. There were lots of us crowding round the idiot holding the gaystapo sign asking him to leave. pic.twitter.com/ZJKajeviGV
— Madeline Warren Ⓥ (@missbunnywarren) February 5, 2023
Warren said: “There were lots of us crowding round the idiot holding the gaystapo sign asking him to leave.”
The video showed a woman telling Dunbar: “I just want to say that this man does not speak for us.
“We’re not against gays. This stupid man, we’ve told him to leave and he won’t go.
“He’s a man, not listening to women, he’s not letting women speak. Go away, go away, you idiot.”
Dunbar can be heard saying: “I’m a member of the public, I’m entitled to stand here.”
Social media users on the pro-gender recognition reform side of the debate also criticised the sign.
Comedian Janey Godley tweeted: “Defy the Gaystapo banner from the gender critical crew - sending love and support to all my LGBT friends who had to witness this in Glasgow.
“Thankfully the loud happy disco drowned their hatred out.”
Scottish Greens activist Euan Yours said: “The man holding the 'Gaystapo' sign has been identified as Max Dunbar, formerly of the BNP and currently part of the 'UK A Force For Good' with the previously mentioned Alistair McConnachie/Manky Jaiket.”
Another Twitter user added: “I feel like if one side of a protest has signs saying ‘defy the gaystapo’, that's the fascist, homophobic side.”
Dunbar served as the treasurer of the BNP before taking on the same role at the splinter party Britannica.
We revealed he was barred from campaigning with Scotland in Union after his links with the far-right came to light.
Hope Not Hate have described Britannica as “essentially the core of the BNP Glasgow branch under a new name” which formed after a split with Nick Griffin back in 2009.
