BBC calling President Zelensky *Mr*Zelensky

I just think the undermining of President Zelensky by calling him Mr is playing into the hands of President Trump who has done his best to demean him.
The situation is serious as it's clear Trump wants a new president for Ukraine who will be easier to manipulate and the upshot would be Ukraine becoming part of Russia.

The situation with Eddie Izzard is not on the same scale but much has been made of it. Eddie has said of the reporter calling him the man that it doesn't matter and isn't bothered if s/he is addressed as Suzy or Eddie.
It's hardly going to change the world but the Ukraine situation, if Trump gets his way, will.

Oh come on Doodledog get with the 'moment' .....'man' means whatever anyone wants it to mean....could be an adult human male, could mean woman who likes jeans and a checked shirt alongside a short haircut, or could mean an androgynous being with blue hair and fake breasts.... you surely aren't expecting a definitive definition, not while we're in Humpty Dumpty land where “When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean neither more nor less.”

Can someone please explain what 'dressed as a man' means, if 'man' doesn't mean 'adult human male'?

Iam64 100% accurate 👍🏻

Thanks Rosie 51, your understanding that Eddie Izzard moves between feeling female - male and dresses accordingly. So far as I’m aware, s/he’s never asked to be pronounced as female (unless he’s feeling girly)
He’s an excellent actor and for all I know, might be a likeable person. What he isn’t, is an adult female human being.

Whereas, President Zelensky is the President of Ukraine.

The point about Zelensky is quite clear - is the terms used are Trump Putin and Zelensky, thats OK, but if anyone of them are Mr" or President/PM then they should all be addressed as such.

I did find one entry today where it was President Zelensky and Putin however...

Syracute

AGAA4

I don't think Eddie Izzard has anything to do with this discussion. Most on here aren't 'nodding along' to his/her gender issues.
It may be better to start another thread about Eddie Izzard if posters want to discuss him/her.

Suzy Eddie Izzard identifies as a woman and the BBC presenter should have identified her as such . It’s easy to check on line . It’s disrespectful otherwise.

The BBC should show President Zelensky the courtesy and accuracy of using his title whenever they are using President Trump or Vice President Vance in their reporting. Do you not have any opinion on that Syracute?

Does that go for any self identification? Can I self identify as an Asian man and the BBC should also identify me as such (for the avoidance of doubt I'm factually a white woman)? Eddie Izzard has publicly stated that he slips from boy mode to girl mode by, for example, changing his shoes from flats to heels. And you take him seriously? His biology definitely states he's male so the descriptor 'man' is quite correct.

😆

Oreo

In spite of mascara and painted black nails, yes of course he is a man.
He isn’t a transwoman either what he is could usefully be called a show off.

He is definitely a show off but he is a woman. He has told us so!

In spite of mascara and painted black nails, yes of course he is a man.
He isn’t a transwoman either what he is could usefully be called a show off.

AGAA4

He wasn't acting he was at writer's convention and was there all evening dressed as a man.

Probably because he is a man!

He wasn't acting he was at writer's convention and was there all evening dressed as a man.

Oreo

Surely he is a man whatever he does.

Oh definitely, but he likes us all to go along with the pretence that he is a girl

If we did that would make us all liars…

Surely he is a man whatever he does.

AGAA4

I have seen Eddie Izzard in Harrogate dressed as a man. Confusing.

I think it all depends what production, film etc he is in.

When it comes to acting he is a man.

I have seen Eddie Izzard in Harrogate dressed as a man. Confusing.

And there we have it.

AGAA4

I don't think Eddie Izzard has anything to do with this discussion. Most on here aren't 'nodding along' to his/her gender issues.
It may be better to start another thread about Eddie Izzard if posters want to discuss him/her.

Suzy Eddie Izzard identifies as a woman and the BBC presenter should have identified her as such . It’s easy to check on line . It’s disrespectful otherwise.

Doodledog

Silverbrooks

What has Eddie Izzard got to do with this?

The discussion is about the BBC disrespecting an elected head of state whose citizens have been fighting a war against a foreign invader for three long years.

Why are people bringing their personal opinions about gender issues into this?

It's less about 'gender' issues than about the fact that men belong to the male sex. 'Gender' exists in the mind. Sex is a biological thing, and pretending males are female is dangerous to women.

Exactly👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Sallyforth

Going into any negotiations you go in on equal terms, and that terminology makes President Zelenskyy appear less significant than the other two.

I thought it was a huge mistake that President Zelenskyy went into the White House meeting alone. Trump had his side kick there and Zelenskyy should have had a deputy or an aide beside him. The savage treatment might not have been so devastating had another key person representing the Ukraine been present.

Always equal numbers, and equal in seniority.

I agree with you, it could have made a difference.A translater would have been advisable too, giving Zelensky time to think about replies and it would have made the things said to him by Trump Vance and the nitwit burbling about suits look small.

I think it is fine to say Zelensky or Trump (after their titles have been used) but the form of address should apply equally to both. 'President', 'Mr', 'Donald/Volodymyr' - whatever - but not mix and match.

AGAA4

So you also.think I should have said President Zelensky is a president. My English teacher would sigh.

For GG13

So you also.think I should have said President Zelensky is a president. My English teacher would sigh.

Silverbrooks

What has Eddie Izzard got to do with this?

The discussion is about the BBC disrespecting an elected head of state whose citizens have been fighting a war against a foreign invader for three long years.

Why are people bringing their personal opinions about gender issues into this?

It's less about 'gender' issues than about the fact that men belong to the male sex. 'Gender' exists in the mind. Sex is a biological thing, and pretending males are female is dangerous to women.

It is not rude or biased if I also say Trump in the same sentence. You are nitpicking.l