Women wasting their time fighting other women…

The latest edition of Hastings Independent Press (HIP) has caused upset amongst regular readers because of an article over the definition of what is a ‘woman’. Erica Smith looks at why some of HIP’s readers and stockists have lost faith in the newspaper as a result of the anonymous opinion piece.

The 15 August edition of Hastings Independent Press includes an article by ‘members of East Sussex Women’s Rights Network’ (ESWRN). The gender-critical organisation is supportive of April’s controversial Supreme Court ruling which defines ‘sex’ as biological sex at birth. In short, the organisation believes that trans women are not women and should be excluded from women-only spaces.

Rejecting inclusion leads to exclusion

Local intersectional feminist group, Women’s Voice, was attacked in the article for stating that ‘there is no feminism without trans women’ and for not inviting Women’s Rights Network to have a stall at the inclusive event that the group hosts for International Women’s Day. Women’s Voice is currently preparing a response to the ESWRN article.

Katy Baird from LGBTQI+ organisation Home Live Art said: “I’m hugely disappointed that HIP published such a divisive article without checking the facts. Opinion is one thing, but spreading misinformation is another. It claims women’s safety is at risk, yet there’s no evidence that trans-inclusive spaces endanger women; crime statistics and reviews show no such link. It dismisses gender-affirming care, despite peer-reviewed research proving it reduces distress and suicide risk. And these groups aren’t excluded by local organistations because they are ‘pro-woman’, they’re excluded because they reject inclusion. Framing this as ‘women versus trans people’ ignores the law, the evidence and the reality which only fuels division instead of solidarity.”

Co-founder of Trans Pride Hastings, Victoria Oldman, stated: “I am apalled to see this piece printed in the Hastings Independent. Hastings and St Leonards has time and time again proven to be an enormously welcoming and accepting place for the trans community. This article is deliberately misleading and in no way representative of our proudly diverse town. Attempts to whip up hysteria, hate and fear for women and trans folk alike is not in any way welcome here. I have just combed through the 300+ comments on the St Leonards-on-Sea is the Place to Be Facebook page where this article has been discussed, and the gender critical voice is only 7 people – No Hate in Hastings! The article, and HIP, don’t represent this town at all.”

Lesbians support their trans sisters

Creative Programme Manager and Lemur Beats DJ, Emma Joliffe, said “I – along with hundreds of lesbians I know – see trans women as friends, comrades and sisters in the fight against the patriarchy, and we share so many struggles. We are tired of seeing this kind of misinformation and bigotry about trans women, who are just trying to live their lives in peace. It’s difficult enough trying to navigate the world as a trans person, to access gender-affirming care, to deal with the complexities of relationships across transitions, and the very real threat of violence – and then “articles” such as this one appear. The article encourages people to challenge anyone they suspect of being trans in ‘women-only’ spaces – how do they think this will play out?

“Already we have reports of non-gender conforming women being challenged in toilets. This disgusting bigotry keeps no-one safe- it merely makes it worse for everyone.

“It is so bizarre to focus on trans people – a tiny minority – and not the cis men who commit crimes against women daily. If your so-called feminism is only concerned with trans people then I’m afraid you’ve gone very wrong along the way.
Trans women are loved, accepted and valued by the vast majority of cis* lesbians.”

Actions not words

Regular readers of HIP have been reported to be collecting up copies of the newspaper to use for cat litter trays and starting fires.

Fundraiser Julie Eason said – “I’d encourage readers to think about whether HIP aligns with your values – and if it doesn’t – maybe it’s time to stop lending your support as a reader or advertiser.”

Both Alan Day-Jolly from The Forbidden Fruit bar and Anton Burton-Windsor who runs the St Leonards Market have both said they will no longer allow Hastings Independent to be stocked.

Afri-Co-Lab’s Deanne Naula said, “this article is for a certain subset of ‘women’ and feminists who feel all our experiences are the same and therefore we should celebrate something that harms others but doesn’t harm them… yet. There is not one mention of intersex people or global majority cis women, often misgendered or questioned about whether they are ‘woman’ enough, now being hounded in the ‘safety’ of the bathroom…” [additionally… debate about who is allowed in women only spaces…] “is not going to stop the really big problem of cis male violence against women and girls.”

More love, less hate: show where you stand

Local resident and business woman Emma Mann says, “I was saddened to read the article ‘All About Eve’ published in the Hastings Independent Press. The piece repeats many familiar but misleading ‘gender critical’ talking points that do not represent my views. Moreover, they do not reflect the reality of law, evidence, or the values of Hastings and its residents.”

You can read Emma’s refutation of the article and sign her petition by following this link to the More Love, Less Hate on change.org.

Additionally, all cis women who want to show support for their trans sisters are welcome to sign the ‘Not in our Name’ petition which has gained over 40,000 signatures.

*The word cisgender (often shortened to cis) describes a person whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth, i.e., someone who is not transgender. The prefix cis- is Latin and means ‘on this side of’. The term cisgender was coined in 1994 as an antonym to transgender, and entered into dictionaries starting in 2015 as a result of changes in social discourse about gender.

Also in: Campaigns

Local campaigners to join protests over Palestine Action ban in London and Hastings »