Times letter & petition 'STONEWALL CRITICISED: undermining women’s sex-based rights and protections' Jonny Best et al

[R0wantrees]

"STONEWALL CRITICISED
Sir, Stonewall has played a leading role in advancing the rights of lesbians, gays and bisexuals; it has also campaigned on transgender issues since 2015. We believe that it has made mistakes in its approach that are undermining women’s sex-based rights and protections.

The government’s public consultation on proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act closes on October 19, so it is vital for there to be a debate about transgender politics and the rights of women and girls. Stonewall disagrees, and calls debate on this matter “transphobic”.

We urge Stonewall to acknowledge that there are a range of valid viewpoints around sex, gender and transgender politics, and to acknowledge specifically that a conflict exists between transgenderism and sex-based women’s rights. We call on Stonewall to commit to fostering an atmosphere of respectful debate rather than demonising as transphobic those who wish to discuss, or dissent from, Stonewall’s transgender policies.

Jonathan Best, former director of Queer Up North; Julie Bindel, journalist and feminist campaigner; Maureen Chadwick, TV writer; Beatrix Campbell, writer; James Dreyfus, actor; Kate Harris, former fundraiser for Stonewall; Philip Hensher, author; Kathleen Stock, philosopher; Caroline Spry, TV producer; Miranda Yardley, transsexual rights activist; Alison Moyet, singer; Paul Burston, author; Kristina Harrison, paramedic and transwoman; Darren Johnson, London Assembly Member 2000-16; Eileen Gallagher, television producer; Claire Graham, intersex advocate; Jane Harris, author"
www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/second-referendum-and-the-brexit-deadlock-qzr5qllkh

This is a shortened version of a petition launched last night
MN Thread with link (recently moved from FWR to Petitions):
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/petitions_noticeboard/3384045-Petition-to-Stonewall

Times article by Lucy Bannerman :
'Stonewall ‘backing transgender bullies’
(extract)
Stonewall, the country’s most prominent gay rights charity, has come under fire from well-known supporters for “demonising” anyone who speaks out about transgender issues.

Leading members of the lesbian, gay, transsexual and intersex community have started a petition urging the charity to rethink its transgender policy, saying that they are fed up with its refusal to recognise other viewpoints.

In a letter published in The Times today, they said that Stonewall’s advocacy of extreme transgender politics was threatening women’s rights, undermining gay and lesbian identity and stifling freedom of speech. They accused Stonewall of refusing to recognise LGBT people who oppose the hostile tactics of transgender activists." (continues)
www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stonewall-backing-transgender-bullies-slvn00vng

The petition has over 5600 signatures and 1000 comments now!

Something positive for a Friday:

Bumping this to say that there are now over 6,000 signatories to this petition. And so many brilliant heartwarming comments from many people - often using their own names - women, men, lesbians, gay men, transsexuals.

And a Saturday bump to point out that over 6,100 people have signed the petition. That's not just a 'small group of feminists'.

www.ipetitions.com/petition/dear-stonewall-please-reconsider-your-approach

Signed!

Signed

Signed and shared on fb. Deep breath.

Signed

So many of the comments are really moving - respectful, thoughtful and quietly despairing of what this once great campaigning organisation has turned into.

Lovely to see the numbers increasing every time I refresh :)

Signed

Signed.

The comments are amazingly diverse and encouraging. Some gentle, some angry, some from women, gay men, men, transexuals, de-transitioners, educators, service providers, survivors of male violence - they are worth a read, every now and then.

www.ipetitions.com/petition/dear-stonewall-please-reconsider-your-approach

Just bumping this for the evening crowd

I sign in my real name. It will be fine....

Interesting...

(from Guardian website "Oliver Burkeman is a Guardian writer based in New York. Read his column here. He is the author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking")
www.theguardian.com/profile/oliverburkeman

Oliver Burkeman has posted something GC for sure (can't remember what though)

He also challenged the caims by Stonewall etc against Transgender Trend Schoolkit when TRAs managed to get the crowdfunder suspended.

He's made quite a few comments challenging TRAs etc.

I signed this petition and have been checking regularly to see the numbers slowly creeping up, and of course it is good to see, but actually I can’t help feeling disappointed there aren’t more signatories. I was honestly expecting a lot more considering the publicity it has received.

Stonewall's stonewalling response to the petition - digging their heels in - may put off people from signing.
What's the use, they might ask?
The organisation has lost its soul and won't find its way back until Ruth Hunt resigns or is pushed out.

For others, it has been a spur. The comments keep coming. People keep signing.

I think that even more people might feel that Stonewall is finished as a credible lobby group for LBG. As such, they have no further part to play and are irrelevant.

The response has been amazing.
TRAs have even signed it in order to make comments.
That's inline with boycotting a free newspaper

Bumping this, would be great to get it to 7,500

Every time I look the number has crept up. Slowly, steadily and accompanied by thoughtful and insightful comments.

Bump

Signed

Signed