Just heard on BBC Radio 4 re Stonewall

[WhereYouLeftIt]

"Stonewall has today launched it's new four year strategy amid ongoing scrutiny for its stance on transgender rights. Over the weekend one of its founders described the LGBT campaign group's views as "extreme" and said it put them at odds with feminists, while the Equalities watchdog withdrew from the charity's diversity scheme. Stonewall described the attacks on the scheme as "threadbare" and has promised to call out transphobia more actively in the future."

This was at about 07.34 on the Today programme.

I sat there shocked at the lack of spin.

Hmmm, it minimised the issue at Essex university though - missed out saying it was a legal challenge.

Heard this and couldn't believe it!

So they're doubling down? I'm not surprised.

Well it didn't even mention that at all @Ritasueandbobtoo9! But, bulletins at this point in the morning tend to be very short, so I'm not reading too much into that. By even mentioning criticism of Stonewall and not just wittering on about their new four year programme - from the BBC, that's unexpected.

I wonder if later they'll expand the coverage, or sweep it back under the rug.

What’s the 4 year strategy? Are primary schools the focus as I think was mentioned a few months ago? We need to stop their teachings in schools ASAP. I’m so worried about this.

I was astounded that this also featured in the very brief news bulletin at 8am on Radio 3. This indicates as far as I can see that it's not just an item the Today Programme is going to cover in more detail, BBC News has decided it's one of the main topics of the day. Gosh.

@Toseland

What’s the 4 year strategy? Are primary schools the focus as I think was mentioned a few months ago? We need to stop their teachings in schools ASAP. I’m so worried about this.

Ah, yes, I seem to remember a while back that they were offering free training to schools in specific postcodes, which in turn ended up being in more deprived areas of the country. Curious.

The EHRC’s withdrawal from the Stonewall scheme was covered on The World This Weekend on Sunday. The phrases “[EHRC] refused to renew its membership” and “[Stonewall gave] incorrect and potentially illegal advice” were used

Listen from 4.10 minutes in to catch the segment:

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000wc0h

I do wonder if the EHRC's withdrawal will prompt others, who might have been too afraid of the backlash before.

But they launched their 5 year strategy in 2017 - surely they should still be working on that?

www.stonewall.org.uk/news/five-year-plan-launched-trans-equality-britain

It was good to hear

The BBC news TV channel had a slot on the EHRC withdrawal yesterday evening, around 8pm-ish. John Mcmanus covered it - he had about 5 minutes and he got in The University of Essex debacle and Maya Forstater's case. I can't remember who the newscaster was but he didn't ask a single question and looked kind of relieved when it was over

[quote ItsAllGoingToBeFine]But they launched their 5 year strategy in 2017 - surely they should still be working on that?

www.stonewall.org.uk/news/five-year-plan-launched-trans-equality-britain[/quote]
They need a new strategy thanks to us meddling women

Their new strategy is here:

www.stonewall.org.uk/stonewall-strategy-free-to-be

Unlike their old strategy this one apparently does not solely focus on the T... Off to read properly.

Hmm, they've added queer, questioning and ace to the LGBT.

Freedom: conversion therapy ban, changes to hate crime/hate speech laws, better guidelines for asylum claims, easily changed ID documents including non binary identities

Equity: trans healthcare, people of colour, people of faith, create evidence base, support across lives - children and elder care.

Of course they're doubling down. Their raison-d'etre is now their own jobs and survival. The new strategy seems to be to change the law to stop people criticising them.

Potential: empowerment programmes, school programmes, workplace programmes, sport Inclusion, pride.

And they've changed their logo

And ditched acceptance without exception for free to be.

Wonder how much the rebrand cost...

Thanks for these snippets @ItsAllGoingToBeFine

[quote ItsAllGoingToBeFine]But they launched their 5 year strategy in 2017 - surely they should still be working on that?

www.stonewall.org.uk/news/five-year-plan-launched-trans-equality-britain[/quote]
5 years is 4 years, no debate. Bigot.

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine

And ditched acceptance without exception for free to be.

Wonder how much the rebrand cost...

'Free to be' is much better.

Acceptance without exception looked like they were deliberately opposing the exceptions in the Equality Act that are in place to protect women. Such as it being lawful for women's rape crisis workers to be female.

It was a pretty dodgy slogan.

@ItsAllGoingToBeFine

Hmm, they've added queer, questioning and ace to the LGBT.

Will they be defining 'queer' Does it include all kinks and fetishes?