Bushra Shaikh of The Apprentice has come under criticism for sending out a long and filthy homophobic tweet.
The 40-year-old TV analyst, who appeared on the BBC show as well as Jeremy Vine, Good Morning Britain, and GB News in 2017, called homosexuality “unnatural and unethical.”
‘I’m Muslim, and Islam does not condone homosexuality. It is considered unnatural and unethical. Similar beliefs can be found in other faiths. It is seen as a misplaced desire that necessitates a mental reconfiguration from the initial emotion,’ she wrote.
‘The natural order has always been man and woman-procreation,’ Shaikh added. Homosexuality does not allow this, resulting in additional societal problems.’
Many people condemned her biassed views, including trans broadcaster and reporter India Willoughby, who advised broadcasters to reconsider hiring Shaikh on their programmes.
On Twitter, she wrote: ‘Hi @Channel5Press @JeremyVineOn5 @theJeremyVine. Have you seen these homophobic and transphobic tweets from someone who appears on your show? LGBT+ hate crime at record levels. Gay men attacked this week. UK crashes from 1st to 17th safest for LGBT in Europe. #JeremyVine.’
Hi @Channel5Press @JeremyVineOn5 @theJeremyVine . Have you seen these homophobic and transphobic tweets from someone who appears on your show? LGBT+ hate crime at record levels. Gay men attacked this week. UK crashes from 1st to 17th safest for LGBT in Europe. #JeremyVine https://t.co/vSIeHl8rKB
— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) August 18, 2023
I stand by it.
Nobody is born gay. It is a choice.
Nobody is born a paedo either right.
Feelings do not determine that which is right to do.
Both are wrong.
Society has normalised one and not the other-
Yet. It's coming.
But don't expect me to normalise any of this my…
— Bushra Shaikh (@Bushra1Shaikh) August 17, 2023
View this post on Instagram
After being called out, Shaikh doubled down on her horrifying views, writing: ‘I stand by it.’
It comes as a recent research by Just Like Us, a young people’s organisation, revealed that fewer than half of LGBTQ+ persons in the UK feel secure where they live.
According to Home Office data, homophobic hate crimes surged by 41% and transphobic hate crimes increased by 56% in 2022, the largest rise since 2021.
Meanwhile, the United Nations issued a dire warning concerning LGBTQ+ rights in the United Kingdom.
According to Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the UN independent expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, politicians’ “abusive” discourse is escalating into anti-LGBTQ+ violence.
‘All of this is attributed – by a wide range of stakeholders – to the toxic nature of the public debate surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity,’ he said.
It’s not the first time Shaikh has been chastised for her beliefs, with the GMB‘s Adil Ray previously disagreeing with her attitude to the epidemic.
Adil called her “totally irresponsible” when she indicated she would resist quarantine when she returned from vacation.
Rachel Clarke, an NHS palliative care doctor, also challenged her position and stated that she may spread Covid-19 when she returned.
