Trans dispute prompts new gay faction to break with Stonewall
EUROPE’S biggest LGBT rights organisation has split ideologically after being accused of promoting a “trans agenda” at the expense of gay and lesbian rights, it has been claimed.
Stonewall is known for campaigning for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people across Britain. However, after a meeting on Tuesday night – and amid an ongoing row about trans inclusion – a splinter group has apparently been formed.
Announcing itself as the LGB Alliance, the group, of “influential lesbians, gay men and bisexuals”, met in London last night to forge the new organisation to “counteract the confusion between sex and gender, which is now widespread”.
Simon Fanshawe, who co-founded
‘They [Stonewall] have almost abandoned their original mission’
Stonewall in 1989, was among the speakers at the meeting. The LGB Alliance, which will be formally launched in January, said its participants included former employees and supporters of Stonewall as well as doctors, psychiatrists, academics and lawyers.
It said all members had agreed a foundation statement that prioritised biological sex over gender theories, which they regard as “pseudoscientific and dangerous”.
Bev Jackson, a co-founder of the Gay Liberation Front, said: “LGB people like us have been writing to Stonewall for over a year – trying to set up a dialogue with them. It’s about the fact that they have chosen to prioritise trans people and have almost abandoned their original mission: protecting people who are same-sex attracted.
“Sadly, we do still need protection. Young lesbians in particular are suffering; experiencing huge social pressure to transition to male if they do not conform to traditional gender stereotypes.
“Almost 10,000 people have signed our petition – asking for calm, respectful discussion. Stonewall has stonewalled us every time. So it’s time to set up an alternative organisation.”
But Paul Twocock, chief executive of Stonewall, said: “There is no truth to reports of Stonewall ‘splitting’. These stories don’t refer to any current Stonewall staff or trustees. There is no equality for lesbian, gay and bi people without equality for trans people.
“We’re all united in our mission to achieve acceptance without exception for all LGBT people.”
The new group said it formed after a refusal by Stonewall to respond to a petition asking it to acknowledge the range of valid viewpoints around sex, gender and transgender politics.
Kate Harris, a former volunteer fundraiser for Stonewall, told The Daily Telegraph: “The main difference is that lesbians, gays and bisexuals have something in common because of our sexual orientation, that has nothing to do with being trans. We welcome the support of anyone as long as they support our commitment to freedom of speech and biological definitions of sex.
“So we are a very broad and accepting group. We will be called transphobic, but we’re not.”