Key Highlights
- Victoria Coren and Billy Bragg responded to anti-trans activist Graham Linehan’s criticism.
- Their response highlights the ongoing debate around transgender rights in public spaces.
- The article also discusses recent electoral victories for candidates supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
The Battle of Words: Coren and Bragg Respond to Linehan’s Criticism
On November 6, 2025, the television quiz show Only Connect faced a backlash from anti-trans activists when a trans woman participated in the program. The show’s presenter, Victoria Coren, and her co-presenter Billy Bragg issued a powerful statement addressing the criticism they received from Graham Linehan, a well-known kamikaze transphobe.
Coren’s response is an open letter to those who seek to harass transgender individuals in the name of women’s rights. She highlights that angry men often resort to harassing women under such pretenses and argues that the trans community faces similar challenges today as gay communities did in the 20th century.
The Coren-Bragg Response
Coren states, “For the rest of us, the tone of Coren’s response is a reminder that angry men think nothing of harassing women in the name of (checks notes) women’s rights. And the fact that the ‘gender critical’ are willing to go ballistic because a trans person appeared on TV is yet more evidence that their campaign is not about women’s toilets. It is about eradicating the trans community.”
She further emphasizes, “A trans woman participating in a quiz show and being treated with the respect due to any individual is a threat to those who seek to demonise the trans community to the extent that they will be too afraid to show themselves in public.
This is what the self-appointed defenders of morality sought to do to the gay and lesbian communities back in the 20th century. We stood up for gay rights back then, and we should stand up for trans rights right now.”
Electoral Victories for LGBTQ+ Rights Advocates
The article also notes recent electoral successes for candidates supporting LGBTQ+ rights. Abigail Spanberger, a Democratic candidate, won the race for governor of Virginia with strong support from her vocal advocacy for the LGBTQ community. Despite facing intense criticism from her Republican rival over her stance on trans rights, she garnered over 50% of the vote.
Spanberger’s victory is part of a broader trend where anti-trans candidates across various races in states like Texas and Pennsylvania have faced defeat.
In Pennsylvania’s small town of Downingtown, voters elected their first openly transgender mayor. This outcome reflects a growing support for transgender rights among the electorate.
The article also mentions that out of 31 self-declared representatives of Moms for Liberty, who were running on anti-trans platforms, every single candidate lost their races. Coren concludes by stating, “I hope our trans and non-binary siblings take some solace from these results.
Together we defeated the homophobes. Together we will defeat the transphobes too.”
Conclusion
The response by Victoria Coren and Billy Bragg to Graham Linehan’s criticism is a significant moment in the ongoing debate around transgender rights. Their statement not only highlights the personal attacks faced by transgender individuals but also provides historical context, drawing parallels between contemporary struggles and those of the 20th century gay rights movement.
The electoral successes mentioned underscore the broader trend towards greater support for LGBTQ+ rights across various levels of government in the United States. As these issues continue to shape public discourse, Coren’s and Bragg’s response serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against transphobia and discrimination.
