Tunnock’s tea cake makers turned out to be the unlikely cause for Britain’s latest culture conflict. After they donated treats, they were accused of transphobia.
The Scottish-based sweet snack manufacturers were dragged into the row after LGB Alliance thanked them for free wafers and cakes for their first annual conference.
Trans rights activists saw it and threatened to boycott the company for giving out handouts.
Critics accuse LGB Alliance, of campaigning against trans rights.
However, the group said it was standing up for women who believe it’s impossible to alter their biological sex.
Its online presence says: ‘We promote the rights of lesbians, bisexuals & gay men, as recognised by biological sex. #SexNotGender’.
MailOnline today contacted Tunnock but he declined to comment.
LGB Alliance sent a thank-you message to the snack company and the fuse was lit.
It said: ‘Many thanks to Tunnock Official who kindly donated generous quantities of their fabulous caramel wafers and the legendary Tunnock’s Tea Cake.
“Both were consumed by hungry LGB people and their lovely trans and straight friends. (Gannets each one of them).
The conference was a big success with the tea cakes and the organisers expressed their gratitude to Tunnock.
This conference is the first ever of its kind, and it has been taking place in London since this week
LGB Alliance claimed that everyone in London enjoyed the products.
After it was revealed that the cakes had been given to the event, there were calls for boycotts
Ben Lawrie, a Scottish Lib Dem councillor, said that the company should drop the T from its name
Some quarters were outraged at the products of the cake company at the conference, which was held at Westminster’s QEII Centre.
Teacher Vic Symonds said: ‘This Gay Glaswegian can’t buy from in good conscience now. My entire community is being harmed by the LGB Alliance. They attack and undermine trans people and wrecked my favourite biscuit. Scunnered.’
Cathuk added on Twitter: ‘Could you please explain why your company dontated product to an anti-trans hate group conference? Do Tunnocks support removing the rights of the trans community & agree that gay teachers are a danger to kids?’
Sarah Faye wrote: Breaking: Tunnocks supports an anti-transgender hate campaign as disclosed by the LGBiphobic Alliance. Enjoy your free advertising Tunnocks, by a group that only exists to campaign against trans people for merely existing.’
India Willoughby, Britain’s first transgender national TV newsreader, called for calm in the face of a boycott.
She said: ‘Have it on good authority that the lovely Tunnock’s had no idea who the LGB Alliance even were when they supplied freebies.
“Thought they were LGBT. Let them have some fun. You will get bad guys masquerading as good guys.
This latest controversy surrounding the conference comes just hours following a similar row between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and himself.
He wrote to the LGB Alliance to congratulate it on its ‘incredible hard work’ and send his ‘best wishes’.
India Willoughby urged calm after some demanded a boycott of Tunnock products
After the LGB Alliance, which claims it aims to promote the interests of lesbians and gay men, invited him yesterday to its first national conference (pictured), the PM supported him.
Critics accuse LGB Alliance, of campaigning against the rights and freedoms of trans people. Above: Protesters outside LGB Alliance’s annual conference in London, Thursday, April 17, 2013.
Last night, the group said it had also been invited to a meeting in Downing Street, where members had been told they had ‘a lot of support really high up’.
Around 50 trans rights activists gathered outside the venue in central London yesterday shouting: ‘Trans rights are human rights’, as three ‘gender critical’ female MPs addressed attendees.
Gender critical refers specifically to those who believe that biological sex can be changed.
Inside, the group hollered the letter from Number10 and projected it on a big screen, to cheers of supporters.
The letter, written by Mandy Godridge, from the No10 communications unit, said: ‘The Prime Minister is delighted to learn of this ground-breaking event.
‘Unfortunately, it will not be possible for [him]Because of pressures on his calendar, he could not attend.
‘However, on his behalf, I would like to thank the LGB Alliance for their incredible hard work and send my best wishes for a successful conference.’
Asked about the letter, the PM’s spokesman said: ‘The Government is clear that biology matters and there are different health needs between the sexes.
‘We are clear that all transgender people should be treated with dignity and respect.’