Green trans Scottish politician sparks outrage by saying rape is ‘on a spectrum’ and rapists should not be ‘demonised’

A Scottish Greens MSP, Q Manivannan, has provoked criticism after describing rape as existing "on a spectrum" and arguing that rapists should not be "demonised," during a podcast conversation recorded in February 2025 that has recently resurfaced online. Manivannan, who is trans non-binary and elected to represent Edinburgh and Lothian East, also dismissed the notion of "monster rapists" as a myth, prompting accusations that a sitting politician is minimising a serious crime. The comments have drawn condemnation from members of the public and rival politicians, who argue the remarks pose a risk to victims and survivors of sexual violence.

In the podcast, recorded with Dr Sindhu Rajasekaran, Manivannan suggested rape covers a "spectrum" of acts of equal severity and questioned the stereotype of the "big burly man" attacker, while discussing ideas around rehabilitation and abolitionism. Scottish Labour's Tracy Gilbert said she was "alarmed," insisting there is no spectrum of rape or of survivor suffering, and cited statistics showing nine in ten survivors knew their attacker, with half assaulted by a current or former partner. Manivannan, currently in Scotland on a student visa, must secure a graduate or global talent visa to serve a full five-year term at Holyrood.