Editing Graham Linehan (section)

== Anti-transgender activism ==

Linehan is involved in anti-[[transgender]] activism.<ref>Sources covering Linehan's anti-transgender views:
* {{Cite web |date=14 April 2022 |title=NSW Liberal candidate likens anti-trans activism to opposing the Holocaust |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-likens-anti-trans-activism-to-opposing-the-holocaust |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505194718/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/14/nsw-liberal-candidate-likens-anti-trans-activism-to-opposing-the-holocaust |archive-date=5 May 2022 |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=[[The Guardian]] }}
* {{cite book|first1=Penny|last1=Andrews|title=Choose your fighter: Loyalty and fandom in the free speech culture wars|url=https://www.manchesterhive.com/view/9781526152558/9781526152558.00029.xml|publisher=Manchester University Press|date=20 November 2020|isbn=978-1-5261-5255-8|page=259|via=www.manchesterhive.com|quote=...inviting anti-trans voices such as Graham Linehan or Kathleen Stock on to programmes or to write articles...|access-date=5 May 2022|archive-date=7 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507225820/https://www.manchesterhive.com/view/9781526152558/9781526152558.00029.xml|url-status=live|ref=none}}
* {{cite web|access-date=2022-09-09|title=Harassers Use Substack Sign-Ups to Spam Trans People and Allies|url=https://observer.com/2021/04/substack-transphobia-email-sign-ups-harassment/|date=20 April 2021|work=[[The New York Observer]]|archive-date=9 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909110956/https://observer.com/2021/04/substack-transphobia-email-sign-ups-harassment/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|first1=Katelyn|last1=Burns|access-date=2022-09-09|title=J. K. Rowling's transphobia is a product of British culture|url=https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/12/19/21029874/jk-rowling-transgender-tweet-terf|date=19 December 2019|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|ref=none|archive-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017070922/https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/12/19/21029874/jk-rowling-transgender-tweet-terf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|first1=Lily|last1=Wakefield|access-date=2022-09-09|title=Graham Linehan, booted from Twitter for hateful conduct, returns with fake 'trans guy' account|work=[[PinkNews]]|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/01/graham-linehan-twitter-scarlysimon-trans-rights-sock-account-colm-ogorman/|date=1 December 2020|ref=none|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201214854/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/01/graham-linehan-twitter-scarlysimon-trans-rights-sock-account-colm-ogorman/|url-status=live}}
* {{cite journal |url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10092420/3/Horbury_and%20Yao%20-%20TSQ%20final.pdf |title=Empire and Eugenics: Trans Studies in the UK |date=1 August 2020 |last1=Horbury |first1=Ezra |last2=Yao |first2=Christine |doi=10.1215/23289252-8553104 |journal=[[Transgender Studies Quarterly]] |issue=7 |volume=3 |pages=445–454 |s2cid=229070549 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505171330/https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10092420/3/Horbury_and%20Yao%20-%20TSQ%20final.pdf |archive-date=5 May 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2022 |quote=This online transphobia has been spearheaded by former comedy writer Graham {{sic|Lineham}}... }}
* {{cite web |url=https://rabble.ca/lgbtiq/the-alt-internet-of-anti-trans-activists/ |title=The alt-internet of anti-trans activists |last=Dalwood |first=Charlotte |website=[[Rabble.ca]] |date=6 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108092931/https://rabble.ca/lgbtiq/the-alt-internet-of-anti-trans-activists/ |archive-date=8 January 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2022 |ref=none }}
* {{cite web|access-date=2022-09-09|title=The GOP 'grooming' smear is sparking a new wave of anti-LGBT+ violence|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/republicans-disney-groomer-harassment-lgbt-people-b2058272.html|date=14 April 2022|website=[[The Independent]]|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005005831/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/republicans-disney-groomer-harassment-lgbt-people-b2058272.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He began making anti-trans statements{{clarify|Which are the statements in question?|date=December 2023}} online after the 2008 episode "[[List_of_The_IT_Crowd_episodes#Series_3_(2008)|The Speech]]" of ''[[The IT Crowd]]'', written by Linehan, was widely criticised as [[transphobic]] and sexist.{{sfn|Horbury|Yao|2020}}<ref name="Andrew Billen-2023" /> Critics{{who|date=December 2023}} said it used gender stereotypes and trivialised [[Violence against LGBT people|violence against transgender women]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=25 October 2021 |title=Matt Berry comments on 'transphobic' IT Crowd episode |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/matt-berry-transphobic-it-crowd-episode-b1944874.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408103617/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/matt-berry-transphobic-it-crowd-episode-b1944874.html |archive-date=8 April 2022}}</ref> The episode features a man who learns that his girlfriend is transgender and gets into a fight with her.<ref name="NME1022">{{Cite news |last=Krol |first=Charlotte |date=9 October 2020 |title=Channel 4 pulls ''IT Crowd'' episode over transphobic content |work=[[NME]] |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/channel-4-pulls-it-crowd-episode-over-transphobic-content-2778346 |url-status=live |access-date=13 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214147/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/channel-4-pulls-it-crowd-episode-over-transphobic-content-2778346 |archive-date=8 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clute |first=Emily |date=18 April 2021 |title=''The IT Crowd'': The Controversial Episode that Killed the Hit Comedy Series |url=https://screenrant.com/it-crowd-controversy-graham-linehan-april-transphobic-bad/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408214150/https://screenrant.com/it-crowd-controversy-graham-linehan-april-transphobic-bad/ |archive-date=8 April 2022 |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant|Screenrant]]}}</ref><ref name="irishtimes" /> Channel 4 removed the episode from syndication and streaming in 2020.<ref name="NME1022" /> Linehan felt the joke was "harmless" and says he did not understand the "ferocity" of the response, arguing that a transphobic character did not make him or the episode transphobic.<ref name="Times 2019-12-18">{{Cite news |last=Haugh |first=Ben |date=18 December 2019 |title=''Father Ted'' creator Linehan creates own social network to defy Twitter after transgender row |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/father-ted-creator-linehan-creates-own-social-network-to-defy-twitter-after-transgender-row-cfzw7xls0 |url-status=live |access-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226185641/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/father-ted-creator-linehan-creates-own-social-network-to-defy-twitter-after-transgender-row-cfzw7xls0 |archive-date=26 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="irishtimes" />

Linehan said he was sceptical of [[gender self-identification]], objecting to "privileged white people saying you must accept anyone who says they are a woman". He said that "anyone suffering from [[gender dysphoria]] needs to be helped and supported", but he voiced concern over early transgender intervention for children.<ref name="irishtimes">{{Cite news |last=Falvey |first=Deirdre |date=21 January 2019 |title=Graham Linehan: Trans activists 'don't realise the damage' they do |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/graham-linehan-trans-activists-don-t-realise-the-damage-they-do-1.3765979 |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124031910/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/graham-linehan-trans-activists-don-t-realise-the-damage-they-do-1.3765979 |archive-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He used the social network [[Twitter]] to criticise "trans ideology", which he believes misrepresents [[transgender people]] and [[lesbian]]s.<ref name="The Guardian" />

=== Before first Twitter ban ===

In 2018, Linehan praised [[Pride in London#Anti-transgender protest controversy|anti-transgender protesters at that year's London Pride event]] who had carried banners and flyers saying that "transactivism [[Lesbian erasure|erases lesbians]]", calling them "heroes".<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1032774490156089344 |user=glinner |title=Those women who disrupted Pride in London and New Zealand are fucking heroes. This is a land grab and standing up to it took real guts. If you can't be as brave as them, then just find a way to support them or at least hear them out. |date=23 August 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191006152152/https://mobile.twitter.com/Glinner/status/1032774490156089344 |archive-date=6 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gabbatiss |first=Josh |date=7 July 2018 |title=London Pride: Anti-trans activists disrupt parade by lying down in the street to protest 'lesbian erasure' |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anti-trans-protest-london-pride-parade-lgbt-gay-2018-march-lesbian-gay-rights-a8436506.html |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613185308/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anti-trans-protest-london-pride-parade-lgbt-gay-2018-march-lesbian-gay-rights-a8436506.html |archive-date=13 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="extra">{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Sandra |date=22 January 2019 |title=How Graham Linehan went from national treasure to divisive figure for trans community |work=extra.ie |url=https://extra.ie/2019/01/22/news/irish-news/video-graham-linehan-trans-views-cost-him-national-treasure-title |url-status=live |access-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606130419/https://extra.ie/2019/01/22/news/irish-news/video-graham-linehan-trans-views-cost-him-national-treasure-title |archive-date=6 June 2020}}</ref> Later that year, Stephanie Hayden, a transgender woman, sued Linehan for harassment. Hayden alleged that Linehan had shared photos on Twitter of Hayden's family and her life before transition, suggested she was a criminal, and repeatedly [[misgender]]ed and [[deadname]]d her.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lyons |first=Izzy |date=7 October 2018 |title=Transgender lawyer launches UK's first 'deadnaming' case against ''Father Ted'' writer Graham Linehan |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/07/transgender-lawyer-launches-uks-first-deadnaming-case-against/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602075111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/07/transgender-lawyer-launches-uks-first-deadnaming-case-against/ |archive-date=2 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Coyle |first=Colin |date=7 October 2018 |title=''Father Ted'' writer Graham Linehan warned by police after 'trolling' transgender activist |work=[[The Sunday Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/father-ted-writer-graham-linehan-warned-by-police-after-trolling-transgender-activist-wqfwqgsxn |url-status=live |access-date=7 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007040121/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/father-ted-writer-graham-linehan-warned-by-police-after-trolling-transgender-activist-wqfwqgsxn |archive-date=7 October 2018}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Linehan in turn alleged that Hayden publicised several private addresses linked to his family to silence him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=7 October 2018 |title=Graham Linehan given police warning after complaint by transgender activist |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/oct/07/graham-linehan-police-warning-complaint-by-stephanie-hayden-transgender-activist-twitter |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215190150/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/oct/07/graham-linehan-police-warning-complaint-by-stephanie-hayden-transgender-activist-twitter |archive-date=15 February 2019}}</ref> Police issued Linehan a verbal warning not to contact Hayden.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 October 2018 |title=''Father Ted'' writer given harassment warning |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45777689 |url-status=live |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530051542/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45777689 |archive-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>

In a December 2018 interview with [[Derrick Jensen (activist)|Derrick Jensen]], Linehan said: "I'm now in a position where I can answer the question honestly of 'if you were around at the time of something terrible happening like [[Nazism]], or whatever it happened to be, would you be one of the people who said "no, this is wrong", despite being opposed?'" He also said the trans movement provides "cover" for "fetishists, con men, and simply abusive misogynists".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://resistanceradioprn.podbean.com/e/resistance-radio-guest-graham-linehan/ |title=Resistance Radio – Guest: Graham Linehan |date=9 December 2018 |type=Podcast |language=en |publisher=Podbean |quote=The opposition is so extreme and so frightening that eventually everyone is asking you to stop. My feeling is that I can't, because it's too important. It's too important to the women in my life and it's too important to me. I'm now in a position where I can answer the question honestly of, if you were around at the time of something terrible happening like Nazism, or whatever it happened to be, would you be one of the people who said "no, this is wrong", despite being opposed? I feel happy in myself that I've been one of the people standing up and saying "no, this is wrong", despite everyone telling me not to do it. |people=Derrick Jensen and Graham Linehan |access-date=6 October 2019 |archive-date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006133543/https://resistanceradioprn.podbean.com/e/resistance-radio-guest-graham-linehan/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="inews Nazism">{{Cite news |title=''Father Ted'' writer Graham Linehan compares the trans movement to Nazism |language=en-UK |work=iNews |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/graham-linehan-father-ted-writer-trans-activism-nazism-187701 |url-status=live |access-date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006133541/https://inews.co.uk/news/graham-linehan-father-ted-writer-trans-activism-nazism-187701 |archive-date=6 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Graham Linehan Under Fire for Comparing Trans Activism to Nazism |work=[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]] |url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/graham-linehan-under-fire-for-comparing-trans-activism-to-nazism/19884/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006133540/https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/graham-linehan-under-fire-for-comparing-trans-activism-to-nazism/19884/ |archive-date=6 October 2019}}</ref> In an interview with the [[BBC]] television programme ''[[Newsnight]]'' in February 2020, Linehan said that the [[Tavistock Centre]]'s practice of treating children with [[puberty blocker]]s such as [[Lupron]] was comparable to [[Nazi eugenics]] and [[Nazi human experiments|experiments on children]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Father Ted'' creator Graham Linehan on trans rights |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08305wc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704232617/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08305wc |archive-date=4 July 2020 |access-date=11 February 2020 |website=[[Newsnight]] |date=11 February 2020 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Following this interview, [[Eric Pickles]], the [[United Kingdom Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues]], accused Linehan of [[Holocaust trivialization|trivialising the Holocaust]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2020 |title=The UK's Holocaust memorial boss condemns Graham Linehan for comparing trans healthcare to Nazi experiments |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/familyhealth/the-uks-holocaust-memorial-boss-condemns-graham-linehan-for-comparing-trans-healthcare-to-nazi-experiments/ar-BBZZUnK?li=AAJt1k3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214165304/http://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/familyhealth/the-uks-holocaust-memorial-boss-condemns-graham-linehan-for-comparing-trans-healthcare-to-nazi-experiments/ar-BBZZUnK?li=AAJt1k3 |archive-date=14 February 2020 |access-date=28 July 2020 |website=[[MSN]]}}</ref>

In January 2019, Linehan expressed concern over the news that [[Mermaids (charity)|Mermaids]], a charitable advocacy organisation for transgender children and teenagers, was to receive a £500,000 lottery grant to open clinics around the United Kingdom. He posted to the blogging website [[Mumsnet]] encouraging its users to lobby the [[National Lottery Community Fund]] to reverse its decision.<ref name="tr">{{Cite news |title=David Davies 'welcomes' Big Lottery Fund's 'review' of grant to transgender charity |work=[[Talkradio]] |url=https://talkradio.co.uk/news/david-davies-welcomes-big-lottery-funds-review-grant-transgender-charity-18121729229 |url-status=live |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602203550/https://talkradio.co.uk/news/david-davies-welcomes-big-lottery-funds-review-grant-transgender-charity-18121729229 |archive-date=2 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement: Outcome of our review into Mermaids UK grant |url=https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-02-19/outcome-of-review-of-proposed-mermaids-grant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219160531/https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-02-19/outcome-of-review-of-proposed-mermaids-grant |archive-date=19 February 2019 |access-date=19 February 2019 |website=[[National Lottery Community Fund]]|date=19 February 2019 }}</ref> The grant was reviewed and went ahead.<ref name="tr" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement: Outcome of our review into Mermaids UK grant |url=https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-02-19/outcome-of-review-of-proposed-mermaids-grant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219160531/https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2019-02-19/outcome-of-review-of-proposed-mermaids-grant |archive-date=19 February 2019 |access-date=29 June 2021 |website=[[National Lottery Community Fund]]|date=19 February 2019 }}</ref> In response to Linehan, YouTuber [[Hbomberguy]] held a 57-hour fundraising [[livestreaming|livestream]] that raised £270,000 more for Mermaids.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Asarch |first=Steven |date=20 January 2019 |title=Twitch stream pulls in $250,000 for Mermaids charity featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Owen Jones and more |url=https://www.newsweek.com/twitch-stream-pulls-250000-mermaids-charity-featuring-alexandria-ocasio-1298710 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121020704/https://www.newsweek.com/twitch-stream-pulls-250000-mermaids-charity-featuring-alexandria-ocasio-1298710 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |access-date=21 January 2019 |website=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2019 |title=Gamer Hbomberguy hands funding row charity Donkey Kong boost |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-46961883 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711180302/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-46961883 |archive-date=11 July 2019 |access-date=23 January 2019 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> The same year, British journalist [[Dawn Foster]] accused Linehan and others of targeting a [[National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children]] (NSPCC) employee who had been responsible for hiring model and activist [[Munroe Bergdorf]], a transgender woman. Foster called the online abuse "transphobic" and "flatly [[homophobic]]". Journalist Chris Godfrey called the treatment of the employee "insidious homophobia".<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 June 2019 |title=NSPCC employee who hired Munroe Bergdorf gets homophobic abuse |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/06/12/nspcc-employee-hired-munroe-bergdorf-homophobic-abuse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206161018/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/06/12/nspcc-employee-hired-munroe-bergdorf-homophobic-abuse/ |archive-date=6 December 2021 |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=[[PinkNews]]}}</ref>

In June 2020, Linehan criticised comments about author [[J. K. Rowling]] after she made [[Political views of J. K. Rowling#Transgender rights|comments that were described as transphobic]]. He linked to a blog post featuring screenshots of abuse Rowling had received, describing those who wrote them as "ignoring the abuse received by women who speak out against gender ideology" and "literally useless".<ref name="hozier">{{Cite web |date=10 June 2020 |title=Hozier and ''Father Ted'' creator Graham Linehan join Twitter row over JK Rowling comments |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hozier-and-father-ted-creator-graham-linehan-join-twitter-row-over-jk-rowling-comments-39276937.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621035050/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/hozier-and-father-ted-creator-graham-linehan-join-twitter-row-over-jk-rowling-comments-39276937.html |archive-date=21 June 2020 |access-date=2020-06-20 |website=[[Irish Independent]] |location=Dublin}}</ref> [[Hozier (musician)|Hozier]], tagged in Linehan's tweets due to his trans-rights advocacy, responded by saying Linehan was conducting an "obsessive little culture war".<ref name=hozier/>

=== Twitter ban and evasions ===
On 27 June 2020, Linehan's Twitter account was [[Twitter suspensions|permanently suspended]] after what Twitter called "repeated violations of our rules against hateful conduct and platform manipulation".<ref name="The Guardian">{{Cite news |last=Blackall |first=Molly |date=27 June 2020 |title=Twitter closes Graham Linehan account after trans comment |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jun/27/twitter-closes-graham-linehan-account-after-trans-comment |url-status=live |access-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627111754/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jun/27/twitter-closes-graham-linehan-account-after-trans-comment |archive-date=27 June 2020}}</ref> In December, Linehan evaded the suspension with an account posing as a transgender man. He used the account to call [[Colm O'Gorman]] "a traitor to women, gay people and yourself" for signing an open letter published by the [[Transgender Equality Network of Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wakefield |first=Lily |date=1 December 2020 |title=Disgraced comedy writer Graham Linehan, booted from Twitter for hateful conduct, returns with fake 'trans guy' account |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/01/graham-linehan-twitter-scarlysimon-trans-rights-sock-account-colm-ogorman/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201214854/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/01/graham-linehan-twitter-scarlysimon-trans-rights-sock-account-colm-ogorman/ |archive-date=1 December 2020 |access-date=2 December 2020 |website=[[PinkNews]]}}</ref> The account was banned but Linehan said he had created another.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wakefield |first=Lily |date=3 December 2020 |title=Disgraced comedy writer Graham Linehan boasts he's back on Twitter with a 'new sim card' after being kicked off for a second time |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/03/graham-linehan-twitter-new-account-transphobia-sim-card-ban-hateful-conduct/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207191553/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/03/graham-linehan-twitter-new-account-transphobia-sim-card-ban-hateful-conduct/ |archive-date=7 December 2020 |access-date=6 December 2020 |website=[[PinkNews]]}}</ref>

In February 2021, Linehan created a fake account on the lesbian dating app [[Her (dating app)|Her]] and publicly posted screenshots of [[non-binary people]] and trans women using it. The developers of Her clarified that transgender women are welcome on the app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelleher |first=Patrick |date=21 February 2021 |title=Graham Linehan joined a queer women's dating app to share trans people's profiles. It backfired, badly |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/02/21/graham-linehan-women-her-dating-app-trans-transphobia-backlash/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227013450/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/02/21/graham-linehan-women-her-dating-app-trans-transphobia-backlash/ |archive-date=27 February 2021 |access-date=26 February 2021 |website=[[PinkNews]]}}</ref> In March 2021, Linehan gave oral evidence to the [[Communications and Digital Committee]] of the [[House of Lords]] on the subject of freedom of expression online, discussing his Twitter ban.<ref name="irish independent" /><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Subject: Freedom of expression online |url=https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5236fc59-47ae-41c9-93f7-4ea16b5782c3 |access-date=19 September 2021 |series=[[Communications and Digital Committee]] |network=parliamentlive.tv |date=9 March 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920212635/https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/5236fc59-47ae-41c9-93f7-4ea16b5782c3}}</ref>

In an interview in the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' that month, Linehan ruled out working with [[Channel 4]] again as they would not return the controversial ''IT Crowd'' episode to broadcast, and he said he would not work with the BBC as they had depicted a transgender lesbian couple, which Linehan described as "a heterosexual couple", in a [[CBeebies]] video.<ref name="irish independent" /> Ahead of the [[2022 Australian federal election]] in May, Linehan used his online platforms to rally international support for the [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] candidate [[Katherine Deves]], who had attracted controversy for anti-trans comments.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crellin |first=Zac |date=19 April 2022 |title=''Father Ted'' creator rallies global support for Katherine Deves and her anti-trans comments |work=[[The New Daily]] |url=https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/federal-election-2022/2022/04/19/katherine-deves-graham-linehan-trans/ |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109115841/https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/federal-election-2022/2022/04/19/katherine-deves-graham-linehan-trans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2022, Linehan said that his anti-transgender activism had led him to question the [[COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and hesitancy|safety of COVID-19 vaccinations]] and the [[scientific consensus on climate change]] "because I've been lied to so conclusively by all the people I used to trust".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wakefield |first=Lily |date=1 October 2022 |title=Anti-trans activist Graham Linehan says he's no longer sure about COVID vaccines or climate change |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/10/01/graham-linehan-covid-transphobia-climate-change/ |access-date=2 October 2022 |website=[[PinkNews]] |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001193816/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/10/01/graham-linehan-covid-transphobia-climate-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In interviews in 2022 and 2023, Linehan said the debate over transgender issues had "consumed his life": it had lost him work, made him financially destitute, and ended his marriage.<ref name="irish independent" /><ref name="Andrew Billen-2023" /><ref name="Nolan">{{YouTube|id=3St5XimKi6U|time=345s|title=Graham Linehan: My interview with Stephen Nolan}}</ref> He said the ''Father Ted'' musical, on which he had been depending financially, was cancelled when the production company decided his involvement would make it impossible to stage.<ref name="Andrew Billen-2023" /> He had previously called for all people working on the musical to sign a declaration agreeing with some of his views on trans people while describing clashes he was having with colleagues over their views on trans rights,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-03 |title=Graham Linehan - Father Ted musical workers must sign declaration of women's sex-based rights |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V5yaNv1pNQ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824174707/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V5yaNv1pNQ |url-status=live }}</ref> and read out a letter he had written to collaborators saying: "I don't think you all have my back as collaborators or as business partners or as friends. Far from being on the wrong side of history, JK Rowling and I have been proved right over and over again that this is a poisonous ideology that is destroying lives."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-27 |title=Father Ted musical scrapped while disgraced writer Graham Linehan still attached |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/05/27/graham-linehan-father-ted-musical-trans/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=[[Pink News]] |archive-date=24 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824174701/https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/05/27/graham-linehan-father-ted-musical-trans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Linehan blamed [[cancel culture]] for his situation, and said: "Every comedian at the moment is living under a kind of state of permanent blackmail ... There's a few hot-button issues where you have to follow a certain line, and if you don't, you'll be destroyed."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title='Father Ted' musical axed following Graham Linehan's controversial views |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/father-ted-musical-axed-following-graham-linehans-controversial-views-3190721 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325231124/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/father-ted-musical-axed-following-graham-linehans-controversial-views-3190721 |archive-date=25 March 2022 |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=[[NME]]}}</ref> In 2023, he denied disliking transgender people, but said using their preferred pronouns was "immoral". He said he did not have a problem with "men calling themselves women" and that "as we keep pointing out, we are only talking about places where conflict arises".<ref name="Andrew Billen-2023" />

=== Post-Twitter reinstatement ===

Linehan's Twitter account was restored in December 2022, following the [[Acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk|takeover of Twitter]] by [[Elon Musk]], who relaxed many of Twitter's content policies and announced an amnesty to restore suspended accounts.<ref name="Burrows-2022">{{Cite web |last=Burrows |first=Marc |date=2022-12-30 |title=Opinion: Why do people like Graham Linehan keep choosing this hill to die on? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/graham-linehan-twitter-trans-rights-b2253532.html |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-date=31 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221231023230/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/graham-linehan-twitter-trans-rights-b2253532.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=2022-11-24 |title=Elon Musk offers general amnesty to suspended Twitter accounts |language=en |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/24/elon-musk-offers-general-amnesty-to-suspended-twitter-accounts |access-date=2023-08-22 |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822160321/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/24/elon-musk-offers-general-amnesty-to-suspended-twitter-accounts |url-status=live }}</ref> He also attacked [[Ian "H" Watkins]] of [[Steps (pop group)|Steps]], tweeting: "What may connect him to a man serving 22 years for raping and torturing a 10-year-old girl?", on the basis that Watkins had used a tool to block transphobes.<ref name="Burrows-2022" />

In April 2023, Linehan was again banned from Twitter, following his appearance at an anti-trans event called Let Women Speak in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He had tweeted the words "Durr imm gonna kill em" in response to a Twitter user who referenced counter-protestors at the Belfast event.<ref name="cityam20230416">{{Cite web |date=16 April 2023 |title=Graham Linehan, AKA Glinner, banned from Twitter...Again |url=https://www.cityam.com/graham-linehan-aka-glinner-banned-from-twitter-again/ |website=[[Cityam.com]] |publisher=City AM |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416143651/https://www.cityam.com/graham-linehan-aka-glinner-banned-from-twitter-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2023 |title=Anti-trans mouthpiece Graham Linehan suspended from Twitter...again |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/16/anti-trans-graham-linehan-suspended-twitter-again/ |website=[[Thepinknews.com]] |publisher=[[Pink News]] |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416195858/https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/04/16/anti-trans-graham-linehan-suspended-twitter-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Linehan's account was reinstated days later.<ref name="cityam20230418">{{Cite web |date=18 April 2023 |title=Graham Linehan – AKA Glinner – back on Twitter after latest ban |url=https://www.cityam.com/graham-linehan-aka-glinner-back-on-twitter-after-latest-ban/ |website=[[Cityam.com]] |publisher=[[City AM]] |access-date=24 April 2023 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424223317/https://www.cityam.com/graham-linehan-aka-glinner-back-on-twitter-after-latest-ban/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2023, Linehan tweeted that [[David Tennant]] was an "abusive groomer" after Tennant wore a T-shirt saying "Leave Trans Kids Alone You Absolute Freaks".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Sarah |date=2023-07-12 |title=Can David Tennant Please Sue Graham Linehan For All He's Worth? |url=https://www.themarysue.com/can-david-tennant-sue-graham-linehan/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=[[The Mary Sue]] |language=en |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822160323/https://www.themarysue.com/can-david-tennant-sue-graham-linehan/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August, during the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]], Linehan and other comedians performed a stand-up comedy show outside the [[Scottish Parliament Building|Scottish Parliament]] after his original venues cancelled his booking over his views. Some supporters of Linehan attended the show and criticised the Edinburgh Fringe as oversensitive. Linehan also threatened to sue the first venue that cancelled his gig.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hay |first=Katharine |date=17 August 2023 |title=Graham Linehan stages gig outside the Scottish Parliament after venues cancel |work=[[The Scotsman]] |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/graham-linehan-stages-gig-outside-the-scottish-parliament-after-venues-cancel-4259743 |access-date=19 August 2023 |archive-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819065757/https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/graham-linehan-stages-gig-outside-the-scottish-parliament-after-venues-cancel-4259743 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 October, he attended the [[Conservative Party Conference (UK)|Conservative Party Conference]] in Manchester, stating in a speech that he was "the most cancelled person in this room". On 3 October, he said he had been dropped by his television agent, [[Independent Talent Group|Independent Talent]], which also represented Tennant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Isobel |date=2023-10-03 |title=Graham Linehan 'dropped by his agent' after attacking David Tennant |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/graham-linehan-glinner-agent-dropped-david-tennant-b2422894.html |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004022242/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/graham-linehan-glinner-agent-dropped-david-tennant-b2422894.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 November 2023, he appeared on ''[[This Week (radio series)|This Week]]'' on Ireland's national radio station, [[RTÉ]], to talk about his claim of being cancelled, defend his anti-trans activism, and to promote his memoir ''Tough Crowd''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/22320256-father-ted-co-creator-graham-linehan-on-being-can/|title=Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan on being 'cancelled' over transgender views (podcast)|publisher=[[This Week (radio series)]], [[RTÉ]]|date=12 November 2023|access-date=19 November 2023|archive-date=19 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119112448/https://www.rte.ie/radio/podcasts/22320256-father-ted-co-creator-graham-linehan-on-being-can/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2025, Linehan was charged with harassment and criminal damage. He wrote on Twitter that the charges followed a complaint from a trans activist.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/26/graham-linehan-bafta-winner-father-ted-court-charges/|title=Graham Linehan charged with harassment and criminal damage|last=Pope|first=Felix|work=The Telegraph|date=26 April 2025|access-date=28 April 2025|archive-date=27 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427215205/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/26/graham-linehan-bafta-winner-father-ted-court-charges/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 May, he pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was granted bail, with a trial date set for 4 September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/0512/1512444-father-ted-co-creator-denies-harassment-charges/|title=Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan denies harassing transgender activist|publisher=RTÉ|date=12 May 2025|access-date=12 May 2025}}</ref>