Edinburgh playwright condemns ban on her ‘trans Jesus’ play

AN acclaimed playwright has hit out at “dangerous” attempts to ban performances of one of her most celebrated works. A Brazilian judge has successfully shut down a performance of Jo Clifford’s ‘The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven’, with a prominent Catholic bishop calling for the play to be banned altogether.

They argue the groundbreaking work, which depicts Jesus as a transgender woman, is “offensive” to Christians and disrespectful. It comes as the cast and crew of the play’s Brazilian run have been targeted by angry protests and, in some cases, death threats. However, Clifford told Scotland on Sunday the attempts to shut down her play have buoyed interest and support, with subsequent sold out performances receiving standing ovations. The award-winning trans playwright, performer and poet, from Edinburgh, said the ban set a “dangerous precedent,” and said her play’s critics were unaware of its Christian message of love and compassion.

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