"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