Andy Ngo contributed reporting to this article.
A city council in England is coming under fire after it was discovered that a Canadian transgender cartoonist who has a diaper fetish is invited to speak at a family event hosted by a local library.
Sophie Labelle, from Montreal, is scheduled to talk about Labelle’s book, The Best of Assigned Male, at Sheffield Central Library on Monday evening. According to The Telegraph, the artist will also speak about the experience of growing up transgender. The Sheffield stop is part of what Labelle calls "the Trans agenda" tour, making stops across the UK and Australia.
Labelle, a trans-identified male, has made no secret of having an interest in diaper fetish art, known as "diaperfur art." This is a form of artistic expression that combines an interest in anthropomorphic animal characters with an interest in wearing diapers, normally as part of a baby roleplay.
People with an interest in anthropomorphic animals are called "furries." Furries identify with and often dress up as anthropomorphic cartoon animals. One study of the furry community found that almost all are driven by "some degree of sexual motivation."
Adults with a sexual interest in role-playing as babies or children will often refer to themselves as "littles." This can come with diaper fetishism in which the person is aroused by wearing or using a diaper.
Labelle makes reference to "littles" in one cartoon, but describes it as a sort of "therapy," stating that it's "prevalent in trans communities."
Labelle tweeted in 2021 about partaking in the diaper fetish art form, stating a refusal to be shamed for a "kink" that is indulged "responsibly." Labelle suggested that anyone shaming this interest was using it as an excuse to attack a "trans woman."
Labelle has an art account on Twitter under the name "Waffles," in which the bio states that Labelle is "ABDL," or adult baby diaper lover.
One piece, titled "Stop Wiggling," depicts an anthropomorphic cat lying down, waiting for its diaper to be changed.
Another, titled "Swimming," shows an anthropomorphic dog climbing into a swimming pool wearing a diaper.
In yet another piece, titled "send it to TERFs," an anthropomorphic fox is seen bending over the side of a bed, once again wearing a diaper.
"Oh no! Your diaper needs to be changed. What should we do?" a text bubble reads.
"Sent it to TERFs!" the fox responds, referencing the acronym that stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminists, a label given to women who have been speaking up about their discomfort on biological males that identify as women being allowed in women’s spaces.
Labelle faced criticism online after one Twitter user alleged that the artist was using photographs of real children found online and turning them into diaper fetish art.
On Facebook, Labelle posted a link to a CBC article titled "Pride Is Not Just For Brians — We’ve Always Felt Welcome As A Straight Family."
"What adults interpret as kink or fetish-play, most children interpret as dress-up. And they’re not wrong. Costumes, masks and makeup are used as symbols for different personas, allowing adults and children alike to experiment with different identities," Labelle wrote in a June 21, 2021 post quoting the article.
"If we were to tell them that some people say there are certain costumes that shouldn't be worn at Pride (excluding appropriative costumes, which I've written about), they would be outraged. Supporting an adult's right to wear fairy wings if they so desire: this is how allyship can look to a small child."
One character in Labelle’s book is a trans-identified male student who transitioned during the summer holidays.
"I transitioned over the summer and now you have to use ‘she’ to talk about me. It’s mandatory," the student tells classmates.
The event at Sheffield Library is advertised as being "suitable for adults, teens and families."
Conservative MP Miriam Cates has written to Sheffield City Council asking that the event either be canceled or have an 18+ age requirement.
"Even the most cursory background checks on Sophie Labelle throw up serious safeguarding red flags," wrote Cates. "In no way can the work or ‘activism’ of this author be considered suitable for children. It is widely agreed by child safeguarding experts, and across society, that it is wrong and deeply damaging to expose children to sexualised material."
"No one who seeks to normalise sexual fetish or who associates children with sexual arousal should be allowed anywhere near children, and they certainly would not pass any recognised safeguarding checks," she went on. "I strongly urge you to investigate this matter urgently and to act to safeguard children and prevent Sheffield from being brought into disrepute."
However, The Telegraph reports Labelle’s response, which claims the artist’s work is about illustrating "trans joy."
"Some people have been busy at work defaming and disparaging me, and they created all sorts of rumours about my work, which aims to empower trans youth and illustrate trans joy, which is more than needed in this anti-trans political climate," said Labelle.
"Since 2014, I have created over 1,600 strips with that intent, which don’t feature any nudity or sexuality (besides a high school character having a boyfriend). I have also done several hundreds of talks and public events in youth groups, libraries, schools - from kindergarten to university - without any incident (besides one or two transphobe-hurling insults)."
Sheffield Council has so far resisted calls to place restrictions on the event, arguing that Sheffield is a diverse and inclusive city.
"Sheffield Libraries hosts a varied programme of events. One of our speakers is Sophie Labelle, an acclaimed Canadian cartoonist, author and public speaker who visits cities around the world," said Richard Williams, a spokesperson for the council.
"In Sheffield, it is a sold-out ticketed event for guests to hear Sophie speak about her art, and growing up trans. Sheffield is a diverse and inclusive city and it is right that our programme of activity reflects that. The evening event is aimed at teenagers upwards, but we know that some families do attend Sophie’s talks and did not want to exclude them."
"As part of LGBT+ History Month this February, Sheffield Libraries is hosting a varied programme of events. One of our speakers is Sophie Labelle, an acclaimed Canadian cartoonist, author and public speaker who visits cities around the world," Hilary Coulson, Interim Head of Libraries, Archives and information Service, wrote.
"We are aware of claims and comments online, but have no reason to believe these represent any safeguarding concern. We stand by our one-off author event to support Sophie to publicise her professional work and discuss her individual experience growing up trans. Sheffield is a diverse city and it is absolutely right that our programme of activity reflects this."
The Post Millennial has reached out to Sophie Labelle for comment.
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