So great to see so many of you saying "I'm Jenni Murray" and also writing in to Women's Hour individually - that's brilliant. A woman I know has put together a joint letter (text below), which has received over a hundred signatories so far just by approaching women privately. If you would like your name added then message me before this evening and I will pass it on to be added to the letter before sent at the end of play today. It will be sent to the BBC, not published.
"I've put the following letter together to counter the inevitable calls to sack Murray. Please do add your name (& any org you represent). I'll aim to send it off by tomorrow night. Please feel free to share it and PM me with names of any others who ask to be included.
No names will be published.
Dear BBC,
Support of Jenni
There will undoubtedly be calls for Jenni Murray to leave her position with the BBC following her article of 5th March in the Sunday Times about trans women.
Whether her comments were ‘hurtful’ as Stonewall claim is irrelevant. Murray was bravely sharing her experience as a woman, a feminist and a broadcaster who has navigated a male-dominated society to enjoy a successful career.
Of course trans women have their own hurdles, but those who have spent their formative years as men will not understand the impact of the casual and institutional sexism that women are born into. That some trans women feel justified in wanting to silence Murray speaks volumes about the reality of the different ways men and women are taught and expected to behave.
It is perhaps noteworthy that Murray has made these remarks at the age of 66 with a robust and respected career to bolster her. How many others share her thoughts but are prevented from speaking out for fear of causing offence and sparking a hostile reaction?
To date the BBC has been remiss in its duty to 'educate, inform and entertain’ regarding the ideology behind gender identity. It seems the lobbying activities of groups such as Stonewall and Transmedia Watch have stymied debate, and vilified those who do not share the same viewpoint.
We stand in support of Jenni Murray, and in support of free speech. Please do not cave into the demands to end Murray’s career. The BBC has few older women in positions of seniority, and it would be to the detriment of both audiences and the reputation of the BBC if you were to remove her from post.
Yours,"