A letter published in The Times attacking Stonewall’s support for the Gender Recognition Bill has been signed by anti-trans activists and celebrities, including singer Alison Moyet.

The open letter hit out at the charity for their inclusion of trans issues, stating that it undermines “women’s sex-based rights and protections.”

The letter claims, “it is vital for there to be a debate about transgender politics and the rights of women and girls,” and attacks Stonewall for purportedly “call[ing] debate on this matter ‘transphobic’.

“We urge Stonewall to acknowledge that there is a range of valid viewpoints around sex, gender and transgender politics, and to acknowledge specifically that a conflict exists between transgenderism and sex-based women’s rights.

“We call on Stonewall to commit to fostering an atmosphere of respectful debate rather than demonising as transphobic those who wish to discuss, or dissent from, Stonewall’s transgender policies.”

In a tweet about the letter, Alison Moyet wrote, “I am thankful for activists both pro and anti women’s rights. You have focused my mind with your love and your hate. I am officially radicalised. #Feminist.”

I am thankful for activists both pro and anti women’s rights.
You have focussed my mind with your love and your hate.
I am officially radicalised. #Feminist

— Alison Moyet (@AlisonMoyet) October 3, 2018

Although she signed the anti-trans letter to Stonewall, Moyet posted a statement last night on Twitter, claiming that she gives the trans community her support.

Also among the 17 signatures on the letter was trans-exclusionary radical feminist Julie Bindel, who is known for her anti-trans and anti-gay views.

Bindel previously said that she thinks same-sex marriage should be abolished, and also criticised the inclusion of a lesbian character in Doctor Who. Bindel has also labelled trans rights activism as the “Trans Taliban” on social media.

https://twitter.com/bindelj/status/1046034379796107264

Bindel also previously wrote in a column, “I don’t have a problem with men disposing of their genitals, but it does not make them women, in the same way, that shoving a bit of vacuum hose down your 501s does not make you a man.”

Other signatures on the letter include Gimme Gimme Gimme actor James Dreyfus.

Stonewall had been known to only design campaigns around lesbian, gay and bisexual issues, but when Ruth Hunt became the charity’s CEO in 2015, the organisation adopted a trans-inclusive stance and appointed a Trans Advisory Board. The charity recently came up with the slogan, “Trans women are women, get over it!”

Responding to the letter, Ruth Hunt wrote on Stonewall’s blog, “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. Doing so would imply that we do not believe that trans people deserve the same rights as others.

“However, we are unequivocal in our support of trans people’s – and everyone’s – right to equality and will remain so. Our motto is ‘acceptance without exception’.”

Anti-trans posters mocking Stonewall’s new trans-inclusive slogan have appeared around Edinborough, reading, “Women’s sex-based rights are not for penises. Get over it!”

This comes after phallus-shaped stickers were spotted around London saying, “women don’t have penises.”