Harry Potter author JK Rowling has accused Irish Eurovision hopefuls Wild Youth of “preening, self-satisfied misogyny”.
It comes after the band yesterday cut all ties with their creative director for the competition and apologised to “anyone offended by his comments”.
It comes after Ian Banham was accused of transphobia online over a series of tweets he allegedly sent in recent weeks.
Screen grabs shared widely on Twitter appear to show his account referring to transgender women as men.
Banham was also critical of Ukraine’s victory in last year’s contest, insisting “it’s a song contest. Not a we support you contest”.
“Wild Youth is a band that stands for unity and kindness,” the band wrote on Twitter.
“Our song represents our beliefs as a band. We have cut all ties with Ian Banham and will not have him on or near our team or Eurovision journey.
“We are so sorry for anyone offended by his comments.”
The re-traumatisation of female rape survivors, including this man’s victims, on seeing him called a woman by the press counts for nothing, naturally. The so-called kindness and inclusivity of @bandwildyouth is preening, self-satisfied misogyny. #IStandWithIanBanham https://t.co/f5pamvYUrP pic.twitter.com/CuILreP7cC
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 26, 2023
Today, JK Rowling labelled the band’s stance “preening, self-satisfied misogyny”.
She pointed to one of the tweets which has been highlighted online in which Banham criticised the coverage of a transgender woman who stabbed and tied up a woman in the UK, noting that: “The re-traumatisation of female rape survivors, including this man’s victims, on seeing him called a woman by the press counts for nothing, naturally.”
“The so-called kindness and inclusivity of Wild Youth is preening, self-satisfied misogyny.”
Eurosong winners Wild Youth perform their song “We are One”. Image: Andres PovedaExpanding on the band’s decision to cut ties with Mr Banham yesterday Wild Youth bandmember Conor O’Donohue said:
“First off, I want to apologise with my whole heart to anyone who has been hurt or even had to read such horrible tweets.
“He goes against everything I stand for; his tweets make me feel sick reading them.
“Writing this song and writing these lyrics was writing about what I believe.”
Wild Youth is a band that stands for unity and kindness. Our song represents our beliefs as a band. We have cut all ties with Ian Banham and will not have him on or near our team or Eurovison journey. We are so sorry for anyone offended by his comments. ❤️
— Wild Youth (@bandwildyouth) April 25, 2023
Banham was announced as the creative director for Ireland’s performance at the Eurovision earlier this year.
The band took the decision to cut ties with him just two weeks ahead of the show in Liverpool.
The first semi-final will be held on May 9th, with the second to take place on May 11th
The grand finale is due to go ahead on May 13th.
Both RTÉ - Ireland's representative broadcaster at Eurovision - and Ian Banham have been contacted for comment.
