Calls grow for Glasgow City Council intervention in Jordan Peterson’s Hydro show due to controversial views.
Peterson criticized Scotland’s Hate Crime Bill online and also spoke against the GRR bill. Patrick Harvie criticized the event. Harvie, who co-leads the Scottish Greens, strongly criticized the Scottish Event Campus’s decision.
Harvie said Peterson promotes “toxic politics.” He believes Peterson demonizes minorities and pushes simple solutions while promoting division.
Louise Anderson echoed Harvie’s concerns. She is a Scottish Greens activist in Glasgow and criticized the SEC’s response to the event. Anderson believes the SEC supports misogyny and transphobia. She also mentioned climate change denial, adding that she thinks the SEC hosts nonsense.
Peterson became famous as a professor, teaching psychology at the University of Toronto. He opposed using preferred pronouns for a student. Peterson felt biological sex and gender differ and he thought Bill C-16 would jail those disagreeing. Experts said he misread the bill’s purpose, which aimed to limit hate crime.
Peterson became popular online since then. He appeared on major podcasts and in international media, attracting the alt-right community. Justin Trudeau claimed Peterson got Russian funding under oath last year in October, prompting Peterson to suggest possible legal action.
Peterson spoke with Nigel Farage at a conference, calling some families “deviations from the norm”, including single mothers and homosexual couples. He praised the “nuclear family” model, seeing it as key to organized society. Peterson hailed Trump’s win against the elite, calling them “Luciferian”.
Peterson already cancelled six tour stops. He has not commented on cancellations, with ticket sales seemingly slow for the large arenas.
The OVO Hydro previously hosted controversial speakers. Franklin Graham sued after his rally was cancelled and received £97,000 in damages. Graham returned to the venue in 2024.
The SEC said they welcome diverse performers and believe in freedom of expression for all, including Jordan Peterson. They added that hosting an event doesn’t equal endorsement and that the SEC takes no view on performers’ beliefs.