Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Scottish MSP Q Manivannan faces backlash over rape spectrum remarks
Q Manivannan is a politician who works in the Scottish Parliament.
He is in trouble because of something he said about rape, which is a very serious crime where someone forces another person into sex against their will.
During a podcast, he said that rape happens on a 'spectrum.'
He also said that people who commit rape should not always be seen as scary monsters, and that anyone — even he himself — could commit such a crime.
He said we should focus on why these crimes happen instead of just judging the people who do them.
He believes people who commit crimes like rape also deserve care.
Many people were very upset by his words.
They feel his comments make a terrible crime sound less serious and unfair to victims.
Manivannan says people misunderstood him and took his words out of context.
This has started a big debate about how society should talk about crime and the people who commit it.
Q Manivannan, an Indian-origin transgender non-binary MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, said rape 'exists on a spectrum' during a podcast.
The comments were made on The Subjective Space podcast, hosted by Dr. Sindhu Rajasekaran, in an episode recorded in February last year.
Manivannan argued against the 'demonisation of rape,' saying rapists should not be stereotyped as 'monster rapists' and that anyone is capable of committing rape.
He said circumstances can lead a person to commit rape and that perpetrators of such crimes also deserve sufficient care.
After the clip went viral and drew widespread criticism, Manivannan said his words were taken out of context and misconstrued.
- Who
- Q Manivannan, an Indian-origin transgender non-binary Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Scottish Greens representing Edinburgh and Lothians East.
- What
- Facing widespread backlash after saying rape 'exists on a spectrum' and arguing against the 'demonisation' of rapists during a podcast.
- When
- The podcast episode was recorded in February last year; a clip went viral in early August 2026.
- Where
- Scotland — the remarks were made on The Subjective Space podcast and involve the Scottish Parliament.
- Why
- Manivannan said demonising rapists as monsters distracts from understanding why such crimes happen; critics say the remarks normalise sexual violence and blur the line between victim and perpetrator.
Supporters of Manivannan's framing
Critics of Manivannan's remarks
Rape as a 'spectrum'
Supporters of Manivannan's framing
Rape is not an act only 'monsters' commit; it exists on a spectrum and extreme portrayals distract from understanding why such crimes happen.
Critics of Manivannan's remarks
Describing rape as a spectrum normalises and minimises a serious crime, blurring the distinction between victim and perpetrator.
Care for perpetrators
Supporters of Manivannan's framing
The act of rape should be condemned, not the person, and perpetrators also deserve sufficient care rather than demonisation.
Critics of Manivannan's remarks
Empathy and care should be directed at victims; treating rapists as deserving of care undermines justice and leaves women and children vulnerable.
Context of the remarks
Supporters of Manivannan's framing
Manivannan's words were taken out of context and misconstrued.
Critics of Manivannan's remarks
The remarks reflect an ideology that erases foundational distinctions in society, endangering protections for women and children.
- MSP
- Q Manivannan
- Constituency
- Edinburgh and Lothians East
- Party
- Scottish Greens
- Podcast
- The Subjective Space, hosted by Dr. Sindhu Rajasekaran
- Episode Title
- On care, grief and words
- Episode Recorded
- February last year
- Clip Circulation
- Went viral around August 8, 2026
- Manivannan's Defense
- Words were taken out of context and misconstrued