Stonewall co-founder says gender self-identification ‘defies biology’

Stonewall co-founder Simon Fanshawe has criticised the organisation for placing the self-identification of gender ahead of women’s rights and safety.

Fanshawe said he “will not support a law that defies biology and defies the history and importance of women’s-only spaces and rights.”

The veteran homosexual activist went on to accuse Stonewall of seeking to shut down debate on gender ideology.

‘Regret’

Last year Stonewall was accused of bullying supporters who refused to endorse its “extreme identity politics”.

Fanshawe, who co-founded Stonewall in 1989, criticised the organisation for “not acknowledging there is a debate to be had”.

“If the de-transitioners are telling their stories now, do you really want to be responsible for kids in 20 years’ time who went through a medical process that they may regret? I don’t think so.

“We’re doing something profoundly wrong here. And we’ve got to get it right.”

“We’re doing something profoundly wrong here.”

Free speech

“I have spoken to MPs who have said to me that even though they may feel strongly about this, they can’t speak out about it.

“There are academics I know who are actively being investigated by their employers for apparently being transphobic for simply asking questions and promoting debate. That’s what universities are for.”

“In universities, particularly, the fundamental principle is the freedom to debate. I don’t think you should close down opinions.”

‘Mistakes’

Fanshawe recently co-signed a letter with 21 other campaigners to The Sunday Times over Stonewall’s stance on transgender issues.

They wrote: “The government continues to treat Stonewall as if it represented the views of progressive thinking in general, and specifically LGB opinion. It does not.

“We believe it has made mistakes in its approach that undermine women’s sex-based rights and protections.

“The most worrying aspect of this is that all primary-school children are now challenged to review their ‘gender identity’ and decide that they may be the opposite sex if they do not embrace outdated gender stereotypes.”

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