Jilly Cooper has come under fire after making controversial comments that modern men cry too much and are they are having homosexual affairs because they are “so terrified” of women.
The British author made the polarising claims to a live audience of 500 at the Hay literary festival on Thursday.
“Men cry all the time now,” the Riders writer said, “The whole time, always crying. And they have beards.”
Cooper went on to mention “an adorable gay friend” of hers who had just started dating online after his partner tragically passed away.
“He’s just started going on the internet now and he said it is extraordinary,” she said, “it is all married men wanting to have gay affairs.
“Do you think they are so terrified of women now it is safer to go with their own sex?”
The author’s claims garnered a furore online, with many labelling her comments “ridiculous”.
“Men may have had to learn a few new behaviours (and forget others) but being gay isn't a passing fad in response to women being more empowered/assertive,” wrote one person on Twitter.
“I doubt there are ANY men who have had a gay affair as a result!”
“A lovely bundle of sexism and homophobia rolled into one!” added another.
The 81-year-old’s comments come after Germaine Greer sparked outrage by calling for the punishment for rape to be reduced, saying "most rape is just bad sex".
Asked about the feminist academic’s controversial comments, Cooper described Greer as “terribly clever” and “brilliant” before labelling her an “applause junkie”.
“Is that terribly rude?” she added, “I don’t want to be rude, I think she’s wonderful, but I think she will say something outrageous just to get everybody going.”
Cooper also spoke about her latest novel, titled Tackle, which she claims was inspired by former Manchester United Sir Alex Ferguson:
“We need a glamorous England football manager,” she said.
