2,199

of 5,000 signatures

To Helen Stephenson CBE

Petition text

Dear Helen Stephenson,

We write to you as members of the LGBTQ community and its allies, to express our concern over the recent acceptance of the LGB Alliance by the Charity Commission.

We believe the move requires urgent reconsideration on the following grounds:
- Although they may advocate on behalf of specific groups, a charity has an obligation to not harm the rights of other groups in the process
- A charity must be aiming to achieve what it states it is aiming to achieve
- The move severely damages the reputation of and undermines faith in the Charity Commission

We accept that there are those who hold differing views to our own but we do not accept the legitimacy of a charity failing on the above grounds, and whose claims are supported on their own webpage by sources such as: Wikipedia, pseudo science and opinion pieces.

Our case for the above statements is as follows:
- Of the seven campaigns being ran by the LGB Alliance, the focus of every single one is issues around trans rights.

- Some of these campaigns deal specifically with refusing to educate young people regarding trans issues. This is despite the fact that 2 in 5 young trans people have attempted suicide and despite the fact that 2 in 5 trans people have experienced a hate crime. (Source: Stonewall) The link between education and tolerance has been proven many times over and we believe campaigning against education presents a clear risk to members of the trans community, their safety and their wellbeing.

- Since becoming a charity they have continued to push anti trans rhetoric despite assertions they wouldn't. Some tweets we would particularly draw your attention to are:
20th April use of hashtag "transing the gay away"
20th April use of hashtag "sex not gender"

- If the LGB Alliance claims to serve Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people, why does every single campaign they run centre on trans discourse? We absolutely refute the assertions that the LGB Alliance are centring Lesbian Gay and Bisexual people, the proof is in the work they do. We therefore conclude that their claim they are advocating for LGB people is a front to cover their anti trans agenda.

We thank you for giving your time and attention to this matter and conclude with a reminder: Trans rights are human rights. Please do more to protect them.

Yours Sincerely,
The Undersigned

Edit history: letter edited 21/04 12.40 to fix typo "Wikiperia" and to include sentences starting "we therefore conclude" to add clarity to the point. There were 2 signatories, author included, at time of edit.

Sign the open letter

Signers list

Paula Armitt
Deborah Williams
Matthew Toresen
Rachel Evans
Harper M Walker
Dean Varga
Niki Haringsma
Katrina Mayhew Taibe
Rebecca Frankland
Tess Baber
Jack Smith-Brown
Mike Homfray
Matt Toulson
Rebecca Fawkes
Katie Taylor
Rhys Sutton
Penelope Wenham
Sheliza Nanji
Sophie
Michelle Avon
Emma Costerton
Joe Pop
Bor Ijlst
Rebecca Smith
Kyan Dyer
Erin Huddleston
Rachel Jarrett
Lexi Lee-Ranson
Amy Bullivant
Megan Allenby
Thomas Brewer
Andy Bridge
Timothy Andrews
Ed Jones
Iain Lowson
Jane Bowden
Nikki Fenton
Ben J
Max Carter
Daniel Pilgrim
Catherine Spicer
Giulia
Cynthia Reinhardt
Patrick Mullins
Liz Moore
Alasdair Hepburn
Melissa Michielsen
Rachel Cooper
James Uscroft
Amy Jade Moat

Charity Commission: Urgently reconsider your acceptance of the LGB Alliance

Next step - spread the word

You're signing this as

Not you? Click here

Charity Commission: Urgently reconsider your acceptance of the LGB Alliance

Tweet to Helen Stephenson

Now please tweet Helen Stephenson, the CEO of the Charity Commission and ask her to reconsider her acceptance of the LGB Alliance. Remember to be polite!

Send a tweet

Tweet this as

Not you? Click here

Charity Commission: Urgently reconsider your acceptance of the LGB Alliance

Will you chip in?

I'm chipping in £0

Secure lock symbol

Your donation is

One off Monthly

Choose your contribution amount

£200

Thanks, we just need a few more details to set up your direct debit.

Change your contribution amount

First name
Last name
Your email
Address (line 1)
Town
Your postcode
Account name
Account number
Sort code
Thank you for your donation. Please hold on while we process your details securely.