An open letter and petition, of which I am both author and signatory, were initiated by a group of lesbians and gay men increasingly concerned about Stonewall’s failure to acknowledge diverse voices in the contentious debate over transgender ideology.
On October 19th, the consultation on the Gender Recognition Act will close. Stonewall is heavily lobbying for the removal of all medical and psychological interventions in the process of changing one’s sex, which would allow individuals to self-identify as either male or female.
Lesbians have been the most vocal in opposing the current Orwellian transgender ideology, as we stand to lose the most by conceding our sex-based rights. However, Stonewall is leaving many of us behind.
Our single request to Stonewall is that they “commit to fostering an atmosphere of respectful debate.” Yet, Stonewall prohibits any discussion on crucial differences of opinion regarding sex, gender, and women’s rights. Discussions on public policy matters are routinely shut down by an organization that receives public funding.
In a statement released today, Stonewall stated: “The petition … asks us to acknowledge that there is a conflict between trans rights and ‘sex-based women’s rights.’ We do not and will not acknowledge this.” This speaks volumes.
Being lesbian, gay, or bisexual is about sexual identity, whereas being transgender is not. Increasingly, the LGB community finds itself at odds with the T community, as the liberation and rights of gay people are being overshadowed by Stonewall’s prioritization and promotion of extreme transgender ideology.
The capitulation to the misogynistic wing of trans activists stems from cowardice and hypocrisy. Terrified of the backlash and threats that inevitably face those who speak out against self-identification, many organizations choose to comply rather than confront. This leaves lesbians out in the cold.
The accepted definition of ‘lesbian’ is a biological woman who is sexually attracted to other biological women. Yet, Stonewall’s definition refers to homosexuality as ‘attraction to the same gender.’ This means that those of us who do not accept a male-bodied transsexual as a woman are labeled TERFs and harassed on social media and beyond.
I am convinced that Stonewall, with an income of £7 million last year, wishes to avoid the bullying and vitriol from trans activists by playing it safe. After all, it is easier to deprioritize lesbians—the already weakest link—than face the wrath of the newcomers.
Stonewall has appointed some trans individuals as advisors who hold clearly misogynistic views. Sarah Brown, a former Liberal Democrat councillor, serves as the deputy chair of the Stonewall Trans Advisory Group (TAG). In 2014, after losing her seat, Brown sent a message to the newly elected councillor saying, “Suck my formaldehyde pickled balls.” Brown has written things about me that are too vile and upsetting to publish here, yet this sexist bullying has seemingly gone unnoticed by Stonewall’s chief executive, Ruth Hunt, despite numerous reports.
Aimee Challenor, who until recently served as the Green Party’s equalities spokesperson, is also a key member of the Stonewall Trans Advisory Group (TAG). Challenor stepped down from the race to become the party’s deputy leader after it was revealed that her father, David Challenor, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for torturing and raping a 10-year-old girl, had served as Aimee’s election agent during the 2017 general election and the local elections in May of this year, after his arrest. Aimee Challenor created a blocklist on Twitter aimed at silencing those (mainly women) deemed to be transphobic. One of the letter’s signatories is singer Alison Moyet, who has supported Stonewall immensely over the years. Moyet’s concern about Stonewall’s direction arose after she experienced a vicious ‘pile-on’ on Twitter for refusing to use the term ‘cis’ (meaning not trans) to describe her female status.
Hear this, Stonewall: a growing number of lesbians and gay men have had enough of your dictatorial tactics. The more you try to silence the voices of those you are supposed to represent, the louder we will shout.