Open letter by UK writers in solidarity (not with us obviously)

[CrossPurposes]

Prepare for some disappointing names.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18p-rvgNitRKYs9C2PoIBC86Fb2ZQnBd8PzEfgGfnsKo/edit?usp=drivesdk

That is appalling!

What is/was the source of the letter?

It seems to be an open google form that anyone can add names to.

I'm simultaneously relieved — much of Caryl Churchill's work has been about patriarchy and women's position in a man's world — and shocked on behalf of all those whose views do not support those espoused in the letter.

Does anyone know which TRA threw it together?

Have you considered suing for this libel?

Well, that explains Jesuis O. Mofobique then!

It's not worth my time to find out who is behind the letter. It hasn't been picked up anywhere except here, from what I can see.

What's more depressing is that so many people here have been aghast at certain names, proclaiming, Oh I thought better of them!

Well, think better of them, then! Question whether they would put their names to a letter like this, if everything you know about them thus far suggests that they wouldn't. I despair at the lack of critical thinking on both sides of this topic, I really do.

To be honest, the most hurtful thing I have read on this thread has been the person who said there weren't any "big hitters" on the list. OUCH. ;)

Have you heard from any other writers in their, any colleagues as to whether or not their name is being used without their consent? I see why you may not want to outside of here but this is probably on Reddit or somewhere.

Fair point. The source of this letter should have been queried. Can you share where you came across it, CrossPurposes?

Rachel Rooney on X.

Bloody hell thats appalling

i hope you can get your name removed

Thanks. I can't see a source for it on there, either.

One name for you, Margaret Atwood. From The Handmaid's Tale to handmaiden. No one would ever have thought it, but she turned out to be as compliant as everyone else.

Why not start a letter featuring authors who support reality: male and female biology, single-sex spaces, lesbians and gays same-sex attracted, no such thing as a trans child? See who's prepared to sign (JKR and a couple more, I imagine) then come back and tell us that we've been foolish.

Exactly. In a world of Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Janina Ramirez, Alice Roberts, Philippa Gregory, and all the other non-fiction authors who include transwomen in their books about women, why is this list so difficult to believe?

It's still being updated by the way. And it is view only.

This thread has inspired me to buy some Rachel Rooney books for my kids.

The Standard doesn't think it is a hoax: https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/russell-t-davies-michaela-coel-writers-trans-community-b1223838.html

A further Google strongly suggests that this is a real open letter and people are being urged to sign it.

Wow... so feel for you angryauthor · Today 10:24

I suspect/hope that this "letter" has already been forgotten but it's worth pointing out that it's a fake. I am an established author, my name is on the list and I absolutely did not put it there. It might be worth considering how this letter was organised so swiftly. Do you think we're all on a massive WhatsApp group, ready to be summoned at a moment's notice?
Don't rush to burn the books of everyone listed. We all get enough criticism for our work. We don't need to be attacked for something we didn't do.

It's certainly perfectly believable that the letter exists.

I'm also unsurprised if names have been added without their owners' permission - it's not the first time!

However, it's a very good reminder that it's always sensible to check sources and try to verify information beyond just seeing it on the internet.

This X account shared it five days ago:

https://x.com/JamesSilvester1/status/1913513440141828490

PinkNews has reported on it, fwiw.

https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/04/24/uk-supreme-court-ruling-trans-open-letter/

And The Stage.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/michaela-coel-and-james-graham-demand-active-support-for-transgender-people

I'm probably less conservative on a lot of issues, but certainly recognise the reduction in some of the "the way the world should be" thinking.

There's nothing like having a baby to really drive home some sex and gender realities.

I'm a writer. I've read the entire list of names and besides the 'big names' at the beginning of the list there were maybe 10 more who I know well enough irl to expect to see there. I also spotted the very distinctive name of a friend of one of my kids who is certainly not a writer but definitely a full-on rainbow alphabet warrior, so I guessed this very open letter had been put out on some social media platform for anyone to sign. If 'woman' can mean anything, who's to gatekeep 'writer'?

I'm not surprised to read angryauthor's post about GC names being added out of spite. I was going to say when those tactics are used all credibility is lost, but given the state of the letter itself that ship had sailed before the first signature was added. Did none of these literary luminaries read it?

Why the word community? Are they all mates then?

The few names I know on the list are all very much transactivists (as well as being very minor “creatives”), so I wasn’t surprised to see them on it.

For people who clearly imagine themselves FAR more intelligent/caring and aware than the rest of us mere mortals, not to mention, as writers, being naturally great readers, it is quite amusing to note that those who are genuine signatories (I appreciate some names listed will not be) are clearly not smart enough or great enough readers to have bothered reading the actual judgement.

Fairly basic I would've thought. Cringe.