Hope this is ok to post, for those not on FB:
*Dear Green Party members from your leadership team,
Although February’s LGBT History Month has ended, it is clear that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are sadly very much not history in our country. We have been very disturbed to see the rise in all of these, transphobia in particular, in recent years and months across the press and social media.
We have seen first hand the real upset and damage being caused to trans and non-binary Green Party members on occasions when the rising tide of transphobia in the media and among some groups of activists has spilled into party forums. We have also witnessed hurt caused when people who have had the best intentions and asked genuine questions have received a hostile backlash.
This week we have reviewed the report that the Green Party Executive commissioned after Conference in Bristol - where activists staged protests outside accompanied with anti-trans materials - and we take very seriously the recommendations this report contains for Conference to be a space in which all our members feel safe and respected, and for more training among staff and volunteers to make sure that happens in future.
As Sian and Jonathan raised in their speech at that conference, and as your leadership team together, we want to improve how we relate to one another in the party, particularly around issues of disagreement.
We are proud of our policies on free speech, on peacebuilding, conflict resolution and restorative justice, and on building solidarity and common ground between groups affected by different issues and problems. These values make us unique.
We believe in our policy supporting trans and non-binary rights. We are feminists who support every person’s right to live as who they are with acceptance and support and without abuse, threats or having their identity denigrated or questioned.
We know how difficult some issues can be, and that we must all be part of listening to one another to make our values real. We recognise that sometimes we all may speak with pure and good intentions and still not get everything right, and so we must all try to understand and listen when people are on a journey.
Below we have copied parts of our party’s code of conduct that we are urging all members to remember when speaking with each other in any forum and recommit to. Green politics is about respect and love for all, and we need to make sure we embody our values in how we act towards each other. Intolerance and hate of all kinds is our common enemy right now, against which we should all be fighting together.
With all good wishes,
Sian, Jonathan and Amelia
P.S. These are the extracts we mention above from our code of conduct for all members:
4.1 In all their interactions with colleagues, assume the best of them.
4.9 Be inviting and inclusive to ensure all members feel confident to join and get involved. Strive to accommodate the differing needs of members and devise ways to welcome diversity.
4.11 Communicate sensitively and courteously at all times with other members, whether face-to-face, by phone, by email, letter or in social media.
4.13 Refrain from criticising other Party members publicly, including any situations where non-members may be present. If criticism is felt to be necessary, it should be done sensitively and constructively by those given that responsibility. Criticism should be of actions and behaviour or statements etc., not of the person. Avoid labels, name calling and stigmatising a person.*