'LGBAlliance' group splits from Stonewall after accusing the organisation of promoting a 'trans agenda'
23 October 2019, 21:19
Europe’s biggest LGBT rights organisation has split after being accused of promoting a "trans agenda" at the expense of gay and lesbian rights.
A splinter group of Stonewall, called LGBAlliance, has been formed after accusing the charity of pushing a an agenda focused on trans rights.
The charity has been part of an ongoing row about trans inclusion, and on Tuesday night a splinter group formed.
Announcing themselves as the LGB Alliance, the group, formed of “influential lesbians, gay men and bisexuals” met in central London in a bid to “counteract the confusion between sex and gender which is now widespread in the public sector and elsewhere”.
Members such as lawyer Allison Bailey wrote on Twitter: "Spread the word, gender extremism is about to meet its match."
This is an historic moment for the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual movement. *LGB Alliance* launched in London tonight, and we mean business. Spread the word, gender extremism is about to meet its match.
— Allison Bailey (@BluskyeAllison) October 22, 2019
The LGB Alliance said that its participants included former employees and supporters of the lobby group Stonewall, as well as doctors, psychiatrists, academics and lawyers with expertise in child safeguarding.
It added that all members had agreed a foundation statement which prioritised biological sex over gender theories which they regard as “pseudo-scientific and dangerous”.
The new group said that it was formed following a refusal by Stonewall, which was originally set up to fight legal discrimination against gay men and lesbians, to respond to a petition asking it to acknowledge the range of valid viewpoints around sex, gender and transgender politics.
Speakers at the event included Miranda Yardley, Simon Fanshawe and Charlie Evans.
We had our pre-launch meeting last night. The amount of positive energy and expertise in the room was truly inspiring! Please DM us if you want to join in our efforts. We have a mountain to climb but we will succeed!
— LGB Alliance (@AllianceLGB) October 23, 2019
LGBAlliance said it formed after Stonewall refused to respond to a petition asking it to acknowledge their viewpoints around sex, gender and transgender politics.
Stonewall have taken to Twitter to dispute the claims that they have "split".
The group wrote: "There is no truth to reports of Stonewall ‘splitting’. We’re all united in our mission to achieving acceptance without exception for all LGBT people."
There is no truth to reports of Stonewall ‘splitting’. We’re all united in our mission to achieving acceptance without exception for all LGBT people. Read the statement from @PaulTwocock, Stonewall Interim CEO https://t.co/njb73IRT1G
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) October 23, 2019
LGBAlliance's announcement has sparked controversy online, with people calling it “transphobic“, “disgusting” and “vile".
This is a far right movement to split the lgbt community, after legislation that effectively denies trans people the right to exist they will then relegislate lgb rights. They spelled this out clearly, in public.
— Tristis (@thatqueerlady) October 23, 2019
Our community is nothing without our trans siblings that paved the way for us.
— Georgie✨ (@afterdarks) October 23, 2019
Stonewall was a historic moment. What you're doing only be remembered for being on the wrong side.#BwiththeT
A marginalized group excluding another marginalized group.
— Jessica Platt (@JPlatt32) October 23, 2019
You’d think you would understand what it’s like to be discriminated against and not want that for anyone else, but here we are...
