Women's cycling - major sponsor pulls out as policies are not 'trans inclusive'

[Xoxoxoxoxoxox]

Helen joice has just put this up on twitter.
A new major sponsor is being sought to ensure that the 6th Women’s CiCLE Classic and 8th Junior Men’s edition of the race can go ahead as planned, following the decision of longstanding sponsor Pete Stanton to withdraw his sponsorship of the races...due to the decision to not include trans atheletes.

• A man tries to use his money to force women to accept transwomen in women's races.

I hadn't thought about the trans activism behind sponsorships deals that fund women's sport that must go on behind the scenes but here is an example laid bare. The men's races are not under threat just the women's races of course.

www.velouk.net/2022/04/12/news-sponsors-needed-for-womens-junior-cicle-classic/.

Please, please, please tell me that fair play for women will have a massive red hand logo, and their words 'hands off our rights' emblazoned across every bit of their sponsorship.

The optics would be phenomenal.

@FemaleAndLearning

Has anyone looked into how the national Lottery dishes out its money to sport?

Me, many moons ago. I apply for a womans refuge every year or so too.

The Lottery gives money via a selection of organisations, who then distribute it from elite to grassroots - smaller orgnaisations can apply via Funding for All

www.uksport.gov.uk/about-us/partners/the-national-lottery

You can usually see evertything that has been funded here

www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/grants?programme=New%20Opportunities%20for%20PE%20and%20Sport&page=12&locale=en

Good. They don't need people like that involved. They'll easily find 15k, I'd happily donate.

Woo hoo for FPFW and Sex matters. Now, brand the fuck out of that event.

I came here for the feminism but stayed for the cycling . I will happily chip in when needed .

I'm just worried now it'll be targeted by protestors, but brilliant work by FPFW, etc. Perhaps Mr Stanton will donate his spare cash to a dyslexia charity?

Isn't they confused? Trans people are not excluded. They're just expected to race in the category designated for their sex class?

@Datun

Please, please, please tell me that fair play for women will have a massive red hand logo, and their words 'hands off our rights' emblazoned across every bit of their sponsorship.

The optics would be phenomenal.

What would Maya's (frankly odd) colleagues in CGD make of that imagery?

@IcakethereforeIam

I'm just worried now it'll be targeted by protestors, but brilliant work by FPFW, etc. Perhaps Mr Stanton will donate his spare cash to a dyslexia charity?

If it is targeted, the optics of that won't half be helpful too.

@Datun

Please, please, please tell me that fair play for women will have a massive red hand logo, and their words 'hands off our rights' emblazoned across every bit of their sponsorship.

The optics would be phenomenal.

oh yes - THIS! Please Nic 😂

What would Maya's (frankly odd) colleagues in CGD make of that imagery?

They'd probably think it was highly demonic - bruhhahaha

I’m loving this thread, can’t wait for the sponsorship on the shirts. And agree if trans activists turn up and start their protests all the better

This is why I love this board and have huge respect for the women posting on it. Grassroots is where change is slowly but surely effected. I'm sure there are plenty of women like me who risk being fired, doxxed or possibly threatened if we speak openly against this relentless assault on our rights. I badly want to be doing SOMEthing, even if it's merely writing to my MP and donating to crowdfunders for those who take on, on any level, on this well-funded, well-organized, extremely aggressive lobby.

I'll willingly donate.

FWIW the publicity this has garnered might end up being very useful if it shines a spotlight on the conditions placed upon sporting sponsorship. This was an odious, not to mention devious, dick move (had to be the dick, didn't it)?

Women are not for sale.

I'm so happy this has not gone Stanton's way...I bet he was practically salivating at the thought of all the mad little TRAs cheering on his misogyny. UP YOURS STANTON!

@Scorchedterf

I’m loving this thread, can’t wait for the sponsorship on the shirts. And agree if trans activists turn up and start their protests all the better

What's the date? After all IW wanted to throw IWself under a horse to demonstrate Suffragette credentials (IW: better at womaning, better at being a Suffragette) so who knows? (I'm setting aside that IW may have conflated the Grand National and the Epsom Derby as was.)

Hooray!

twitter.com/fairplaywomen/status/1514272209715531778

This is making me think. FairPlay to women could start collecting donations more earnestly to support sports, lobbying etc. The other side is very well funded. Women have just been giving their time and intellect to the cause. Maybe targeted money would make the difference.

Well, maybe iW would be satisfied with throwing indiaself under an iron horse, for a modern twist on the suffragette?

@Datun

Please, please, please tell me that fair play for women will have a massive red hand logo, and their words 'hands off our rights' emblazoned across every bit of their sponsorship.

The optics would be phenomenal.

Or with a slight tweak - 'Hands off our sports'

That's made my day! I shall be planting a few extra dahlias for Sex Matters and FPFW this evening.

Great thread MN. Peter (stuff it) Stanton has just been handed his arse.

Just done some gardening.

Mr Stanton has blocked me on Twitter - I’m heartbroken I tell you!!

As a sports lover I am sure Mr S knows what an own goal is. Back of the net Pete!

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/61098474

[quote 334bu]www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/61098474[/quote]
After a plea for support on Tuesday, Clews said the response had been "absolutely incredible".

However, he said he had reservations of accepting offers from campaign groups for fear of "politicising" the race.

"At the present time, myself and colleagues are considering that [offer] amongst other options that might be available to us from commercial sources," he said.

"We want this event to continue into the future and therefore we would prefer to link with a partner or number of partners who are able to give us financial backing for a number of years ahead, so we're not in the same position next year as we've found ourselves in this year.

"Secondly, and this is important to appreciate, we are a cycling event, our objective is to pursue women's cycling and to promote it at its highest possible level in this country but I have colleagues who have reservations with regard to the potential link to women's rights groups that might indicate to anyone out there, or certain individuals out there, a politicising of the event."