Open Letters 2020
Open Letters on sex and gender debate - 2020
Page 1 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024(Jan-June) 2024(July-Dec)
Supporting 'trans equality'
26 Jan 2020
To: MSPs
From: 'LGBT groups, and organisations working for LGBT equality, from all over Scotland'.
Subject: In support of 'trans' equality, inclusion on the census and support of a reformed Gender Recognition Act.
‘Serious institutional Transphobia’ at the Scottish Poetry Library!
28 Feb 2020
To: Asif Khan and Aly Barr, Scottish Poetry Library
From: ‘Trans and non-binary authors and supported by people from diverse backgrounds and identities’
Subject: Expressing their ‘deep concerns’ about the library's recent public statement and ‘worried it may reflect serious institutional transphobia’.
IN SUPPORT OF THE SCOTTISH POETRY LIBRARY
4th March 2020
To: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
From: Wild Women Writing Club, women and same-sex attracted people
Subject: To express wholehearted support and gratitude for the Scottish Poetry Library’s unequivocal stance defending free artistic expression for all who use its services.
“Transphobic content” at The Guardian
6 March 2020
To: Kath Viner, editor of UK newspaper The Guardian
From: 338 staff at The Guardian
Subject: Criticising its “transphobic content” in response to a column written by Suzanne Moore which advocated women’s rights.
Corona virus and ‘LGBTQ+ communities’
11 March 2020
To: Health and Media officials
From: National LGBT Cancer Network & over 100 national and local organizations
Subject: ‘Outlining how COVID-19 may pose an increased risk to the LGBTQ+ population and laying out specific steps to minimize any disparity’.
Apologise JK Rowling
7th June 2020
To: JK Rowling
From: CEO and founder of Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty charity, Gabby Edlin & signatories
Subject: The writers express 'disappointment' about a tweet from JK Rowling which said 'there used to be a word for this [people who mentruate]" and urge her to apologise and give a 'significant donation' to the 'trans folk [she] so deeply hurt'
BBC is institutionally “transphobic”
11 June 2020
To: Kamal Ahmed, Editorial Director, BBC News
From: Group of 150 trans rights activists and 3 MPs, led by Helen Belcher and Jane Fae of Trans Media Watch
Subject: That the BBC is “institutionally transphobic” in its coverage, citing its treatment of the JK Rowling story as evidence.
Mermaids tells JK Rowling she’s wrong
12 June 2020
To: JK Rowling
From: Mermaids, ‘trans youth charity’
Subject: A long letter outlining that wherein the letter is ‘not an attack’ on JK Rowling’s recent essay, she is completely wrong and has upset children.
Just Stop Oil LGBTQ Activists demand award ceremony denounce sponsors
20 June 2020
To: The British LGBT Awards Directors
From: ‘LGBTQ activists’ from Just Stop Oil standing in solidarity with Fossil Free Pride - who are taking direct action at the event
Subject: A list of demands, including the exclusion of all sponsors of the event that are fossil fuel companies and the banks that fund them.
Urgency of ‘truly effective ban’ on conversion therapy
9 July 2020
To: Liz Truss MP
From: Ban Conversion Therapy, a ‘coalition of LGBTQA+ and faith communities/organisations, and mental health practitioners’
Subject: The letter ‘urges’ the then Prime Minister ‘to introduce a truly effective ban on conversion therapy for all lesbian, gay, bi, trans and gender diverse people in the UK.’
Permit LGBTQ 'displays of affection'
25 Aug 2020
To: USA schools
From: ACLU
Subject: Open Letter to Schools About Disciplining LGBTQ Students for Displays of Affection
Public schools must allow students to wear slogans for ‘LGBTQ people and issues’
26 Aug 2020
To: Principals and educators
From: ACLU
Subject: ‘A letter to explaining the legal requirement that public schools allow students to wear clothing or accessories with slogans or symbols that express support for LGBTQ people and issues.’
Liz Truss 'anti trans rhetoric'
19 Sept 2020
To: Liz Truss MP
From: 'Signed by 7712 cisgender women'
Subject: The senders are 'incredibly concerned' the language Ms Truss used when announcing her plans for reforming the Gender Recognition Act, is 'very similar to the anti-trans rhetoric used by transphobic hate groups'.
Football needs 'visible support for LGBT+ inclusion'
24 Sept 2020
To: FA, UEFA, FIFA
From: LGBTQ people and allies in football - Over 200 individuals and 100+ organisations connected to LGBTQ+ inclusion in football
Subject: A response to recent media coverage about 'gay and bi male professional footballers' and urging football organisations to be 'bolder in their visible support for LGBT+ inclusion'.
WE STAND WITH JK AGAINST HATE
27 Sept 2020
To: The Sunday Times & readers
From: 58 signatories including Graham Linehan & Lionel Shriver
Subject: The letter refers to hashtag #RIPJKRowling which was trending on twitter at the time and hopes the letter will urge more people to "stand up against the targeting of women online" and wishes "JK Rowling well and stand in solidarity with her."
Press: The Times
UK & Irish writers ‘cherish and protect trans’
30 Sept 2020
From: Members of the UK and Irish Publishing Community, Jeanette Winterson and Malorie Blackman
Subject: The letter came days after a host of prominent literary names signed a letter defending JK Rowling. A ‘a message of love and solidarity for the trans and non-binary community’ and ‘the vital role’ the literacy industry has in '‘advancing and supporting the wellbeing and rights of trans and non-binary people’.
Press: Guardian
US & Canadian writers urge JK Rowling is ‘transphobic’!
9 Oct 2020
From: 1,500 and 2,000 writers, publishers and other members of the literary world from Canada and the US, including Margaret Atwood & Stephen King
Subject: US and Canada's companion letter to the UK letter on 30th Sept 2020 (see above). ‘In support of trans and nonbinary communities’, written in response to J.K. Rowling’s expression of women's rights - 'what many consider to be transphobic views'.
Press: LA Times
Trans Day of Remembrance Solidarity in Ireland - where nobody died
20 Nov 2020
To: Media and politicians
From: LGBTI+ and feminist orgs including the National Women’s Council of Ireland
Subject: ‘Calling for solidarity for our trans siblings on this Trans Day of Remembrance. they reinforce Ireland’s strong ethos of intersectional solidarity and the inclusion of our trans siblings.’
Reconsider defunding ‘LGBTQ+’ anti-bullying programmes in schools
Dec 2020
To: Gavin Williamson MP & Liz Truss MP
From: Voices 4 London
Subject: The letter urges recipients to ‘reconsider the decision to stop funding LGBTQ+ anti-bullying programmes in schools’.