Earlier this morning, The Overtimer published an article addressing transphobic comments made by Pro Wrestling: EVE co-founder Emily Read. She has since released a statement announcing her resignation after reinstating her Twitter account.
https://twitter.com/EmilyReadEVE/status/1238122770199912450?s=20
The transcript of the tweet reads as follows:
Firstly I would like to apologise [sic] to all those who were hurt by my wording. I can only say again that my words came with the best intentions but I’m aware that this [sic] doesn’t excuse me or take away from the immense hurt that I caused.
I don’t want my words to reflect on EVE or anyone else involved with them and cannot stand the thought that I may unintentionally hurt people in the future due to these mistakes.
Due to this I have decided that, effective immediately, I am resigning from EVE – Riot Grrrls of Wrestling.
Over the past few years EVE events have been run [sic] by a team of people working together and that’s how EVE will continue. I am so proud of everything that has been achieved [sic] with EVE and have every confidence that the absolutely AMAZING EVE community will smash every goal they aim for and take EVE to heights I never could have dreamed of 10 years ago.
Read chose to not address the hardship trans individuals endure in society, or why her words are hurtful to the community and those who support them. The transcript of the interaction that lead to her resignation follows:
Emily Read: People not fitting a mold are welcome at ALL OTHER EVE events
Unnamed fan: Would I be turned away?
Unnamed fan: Mind you, that pic is a few years old, but still.
Emily Read: Do you feel a woman who was raped and is traumatised [sic] by men is [sic] social situations, who has come out for the first time finally finding an even where they feel safe, would feel comfortable with you there?
Emily Read: This is what I’m asking people to consider
Emily Read: It’s about consideration for others and I trust people to judge that for themselves
Read’s resignation comes as a shock when the incident could have provided a learning opportunity for a small business owner. Those operating in public spaces are the catalyst for building a more inclusive society where people of all creeds, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations feel welcomed.
It is unaware how her resignation changes the behind the scenes operation of EVE, or if the promotion will enact policies to further promote an inclusive environment in their community.
EVE’s next event, Rise Of The Woman, takes place on April 4th in London, England.
[…] My personal introduction to Lulu Pencil was this match from Pro Wrestling EVE, a women’s promotion that puts on star-studded shows at the Resistance Gallery in London. It’s very punk rock and feminist, if you can’t tell by the Audre Lorde quote on the wall. (Unfortunately, it’s not devoid of the standard britwres controversies including #SpeakingOut criticism and a possibly TERF-y co-founder who resigned in 2020.) […]